The U.S. Navy on Wednesday relieved the commander of the Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture-based 7th Fleet after two fatal collisions between destroyers and civilian vessels in Asian waters in less than three months.

Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, the three-star commander of the fleet, was removed ¡°due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command,¡± the navy said, after the two collisions and two other incidents involving the fleet¡¯s vessels.

The head of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Adm. Scott Swift, relieved Aucoin of his command. Swift had been scheduled to meet with 7th Fleet leaders in Yokosuka.