USS Wyoming Commanding Officer Fired Amid Loss of Confidence

Norfolk, Virginia – The U.S. Navy announced the firing of Cmdr. Robert Moreno from his position as commanding officer of the USS Wyoming Blue Crew on October 9, 2025. Rear Adm. Bob Wirth, the commander of Submarine Group Ten, relieved Moreno of his duties due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.

A Navy release emphasized that commanding officers must meet high standards of personal and professional conduct. It stated, “They are expected to uphold the highest standards of responsibility, reliability, and leadership, and the Navy holds them accountable when they fall short of those standards.” However, the release did not detail the specific reasons for Moreno’s dismissal. The term “loss of confidence” is typically used for such dismissals in senior leadership.

In the wake of Moreno’s removal, Capt. David Burke, deputy for training at Submarine Squadron 20, will temporarily command the Wyoming. The submarine, an Ohio-class ballistic missile vessel, is stationed in Kings Bay, Georgia, where it is currently undergoing maintenance and will remain unaffected by the command change, according to the Navy.

Cmdr. Moreno, who earned his commission in 2005, took command of the USS Wyoming on May 14, 2024. Following his dismissal, he has been reassigned to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia. Prior to his role on the Wyoming, Moreno served at Commander Joint Force Maritime Component and Commander Submarine Force Atlantic, both located in Norfolk, Virginia.

This firing adds to a series of leadership changes within the Navy in 2025. There have been several dismissals of senior officers over the year, triggered by various issues that the Navy has not publicly detailed.