Cmdr. Caitlin Cunningham was relieved of command of USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) on Sept. 27 due to a “loss of confidence,” a Navy spokesperson confirmed, without providing further details.
Her dismissal, less than a year after assuming command in October 2025, was not publicly announced, despite the Navy's customary practice of disclosing the removal of senior commanders.
The destroyer, initially deployed with the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group in December 2025, was redirected from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East to support the so-called Operation Epic Fury and the US naval blockade against Iran.
However, the deployment came amid a costly military confrontation that has exposed vulnerabilities in Washington's regional military posture. A Congressional Research Service report identified 81 US aircraft, including drones and helicopters, reported lost or damaged during Operation Epic Fury, while the Congressional Budget Office estimated equipment replacement costs at between $1.9 billion and $3.3 billion as of August.
Documented US military casualties also reached 18 killed and 824 wounded by Sept. 15, according to the Congressional Research Service.
Meanwhile, the USS Abraham Lincoln left the Middle East in August, accompanied by two escorts, while Michael Murphy remained in the region before beginning its return journey in October.
The destroyer's deployment is expected to total 346 days, approximately 24 days longer than that of the carrier, reflecting the extended operational demands placed on US naval forces.
The prolonged deployments have also raised concerns about the Navy's readiness and its ability to sustain operations across multiple regions. Navy officials have warned military families that deployments lasting 10 to 11 months could become standard over the next two years.
The latest dismissal has also emerged amid broader questions over transparency and accountability within the US Navy.
On Nov. 12, The Associated Press reported that the Navy had quietly removed several senior officers in recent months, including the entire leadership team of the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS South Dakota following an underwater collision.
The decision to withhold information from Congress prompted criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who said the Navy had failed to notify the House Armed Services Committee about the submarine commanders' dismissals.
The developments come as US military authorities face increasing scrutiny over the consequences of the confrontation with Iran, including operational losses, extended deployments and the limited disclosure of damage inflicted on American military installations across the region.