The Hibbing native who became the first commander of the U.S. Navy's new generation of fighting vessels will be relieved of command in March as part of a routine change of officers.
Cmdr. Don Gabrielson worked with the Navy's littoral combat ship program since 2001. He was on board the first such ship, the USS Freedom, when it docked in Duluth for several days in October.
The $531 million ship is designed to be a more maneuverable and versatile vessel than previous generations of Navy destroyers. The project also came under criticism for delays and cost overruns. Gabrielson said such things were to be expected with any large new program.
In an e-mail, Gabrielson said the change of command will take place on March 14 aboard the Freedom, which will be docked in Norfolk, Va. He will be relieved of command by current executive officer Kris Doyle. Gabrielson said his next assignment probably will be a stint in Washington, D.C.
