SUB SKIPPER FIRED - CMDR CHRISTOPHER HENRY
RELIEVED OF COMMAND - TOOK OVER GUAM BASED
ATTACK SUBMARINE USS BUFFALO LAST AUGUST
FORMER XO OF USS LOS ANGELES GETS BOOT
FOUR DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS - LT CMDR GREG
KUNTZ OF SUB SQUADRON 15 SAYS "LOSS OF
CONFIDENCE IN ABILITY TO LEAD" REASON
FORMER COMMANDER'S CAREER TORPEDOED

On a warm summer afternoon last August, CMDR Christopher Henry assumed command of the Guam-based attack submarine USS Buffalo. He called it, "The greatest day of my Naval career."

Less than a week before Christmas, that same officer, former XO of the USS Los Angeles, found himself fired as skipper and his "career," for all intensive purposes, over. The native of Ridgefield, Conn. has been assigned to desk duties while the Navy decides what to do with him.

The 1991 graduate of the University of Maryland was told his removal was due to "a loss of confidence in his ability to command."

PROBLEMS ABOARD BUFFALO LED TO SKIPPER'S DISMISSAL

No specific reasons were given for the officer's dismissal, but sources tell MilitaryCorruption.com the former commander's sub failed several inspections. A spokesman for Submarine Squadron 15 said "at no time was the boat or it's crew in any danger" from such deficiencies.

Nevertheless, in the Navy, the captain of the ship must "fall on his sword" if there are any problems aboard, and it appears the Buffalo had more than it's share. Perhaps Henry trusted in subordinates too much and got bitten on the butt. Whatever happened, when something goes wrong, the skipper always "walks the plank."

CMDR Henry can say "good-bye" to any hopes he had of reaching four-stripe rank, and can only pray the Navy will carry him long enough to qualify for retirement.