Former DDG Commander to Lead U.S. Navy Investigation Into USS Fitzgerald Collision

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald, damaged by colliding with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel, is towed by a tugboat upon its arrival at the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, Japan June 17, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai

The U.S. Navy has chosen Rear Adm. (lower half) Brian Fort, a former DDG commander, to lead the investigation into the collision between the USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and a merchant ship off the coast of Japan last week.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) was involved in a collision with the Philippines-flagged containership ACX Crystal on the morning of June 17 approximately 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka, Japan. The collision killed seven navy sailors and injured three others, including the destroyer’s commander.

Fort’s past assignments include command of Norfolk-based USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), deploying as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2. He later commanded Destroyer Squadron 26, serving as the sea combat commander for the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group.

Fort will lead the investigation being conducted pursuant to the Manual of the Judge Advocate General (JAGMAN) to gather evidence.

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