Navy Relieves Commander of Sub USS West Virginia
Cmdr. Joseph Sammur was relieved as the commanding officer of USS West Virginia (SSBN-736) (Blue Crew) last week due to a loss of confidence, the Navy announced Saturday. Sammur’s relief follows an investigation into a maintenance issue, a Submarine Forces Public Affairs spokesperson told USNI News on Monday. West Virginia is currently in port for maintenance, according to the Navy’s Saturday news release. Cmdr. Luke Kelvington, Submarine Squadron 20 deputy for training, has temporarily assumed command of West Virginia’s Blue Crew. Sammur, who assumed command nearly a year ago on Aug. 14, 2025, has been temporarily reassigned to Submarine Group
Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia (SSBN-736) on Feb. 7, 2014. US Navy photo Cmdr. Joseph Sammur was relieved as the commanding officer of USS West Virginia (SSBN-736) (Blue Crew) last week due to a loss of confidence, the Navy announced Saturday.
Cmdr. James Kepper IV relinquish command of Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, USS West Virginia (SSBN-736) (BLUE) to Cmdr. Joseph Sammur during a change of command ceremony, Aug. 14, 2025, aboard Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia. US Navy photo Sammur’s relief follows an investigation into a maintenance issue, a Submarine Forces Public Affairs spokesperson told USNI News on Monday. West Virginia is currently in port for maintenance, according to the Navy’s Saturday news release.
Cmdr. Luke Kelvington, Submarine Squadron 20 deputy for training, has temporarily assumed command of West Virginia’s Blue Crew.
Sammur, who assumed command nearly a year ago on Aug. 14, 2025, has been temporarily reassigned to Submarine Group 10.
Prior to assuming command, Sammur was a student with the Naval Reactors Division and Naval Leadership and Ethics Center. He also served at U.S. Strategic Command.
His last submarine before West Virginia was USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN-730) (Blue Crew) from Feb. 28, 2020 to Aug. 3, 2022.
