A Friday afternoon announcement from the Navy marked an abrupt end to Capt. Chavius Lewis’ command of one of the fleet’s front-line destroyers.
Rear Adm. Alexis Walker, who leads Carrier Strike Group 10, relieved Lewis of his position aboard USS Mason on February 13. The Navy cited “a loss of confidence in Lewis’ ability to command” in its official statement.
Fast Facts
- Capt. Chavius Lewis was fired as commanding officer of USS Mason (DDG-87) on Friday, February 13, 2026
- Rear Adm. Alexis Walker, commander of Carrier Strike Group 10, made the decision
- Lewis assumed command in 2024 and was reassigned to Naval Surface Group Southeast
- Capt. Kevin Hoffman is serving as interim commanding officer
The removal occurred while Mason participates in the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group Composite Training Unit Exercise, a predeployment certification process that tests the destroyer’s combat readiness. The Navy confirmed the relief does not affect Mason’s mission or schedule.
Lewis had been in command for roughly two years. The destroyer is homeported in Mayport, Florida, and currently operates under U.S. 2nd Fleet.
“The Navy maintains the highest standards for leaders and holds them accountable when those standards are not met,” the Navy stated. The service offered no additional details about the reasons behind Walker’s decision.
Analysis: Command reliefs during predeployment training phases can create operational challenges, though the Navy’s assertion that Mason’s schedule remains unchanged suggests transition plans were already in place. The timing indicates Walker and higher Navy leadership prioritized immediate leadership change over continuity during a critical training period.
Capt. Kevin Hoffman, who took over as interim commanding officer, now faces the task of maintaining crew readiness and morale while completing certification requirements for deployment.
What to watch next: Mason will complete its Composite Training Unit Exercise under Hoffman’s command before potential deployment with the carrier strike group.
Sources: The Navy, Rear Adm. Alexis Walker
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