Three officers on the USS Connecticut (SSN 22), a nuclear-powered submarine, were relieved of duty for hitting an uncharted underwater mountain during a mission in the South China Sea last month, the U.S. Navy announced on Thursday. Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander of U.S. Seventh Fleet, relieved Cmdr. Cameron Aljilani as commanding officer, Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Cashin as Executive Officer, and Master Chief Sonar Technician Cory Rodgers as Chief of the Boat, due to “loss of confidence,” the U.S. Navy said in a statement. “Thomas determined sound judgment, prudent decision-making, and adherence to required procedures in navigation planning, watch team execution, and risk management could have prevented the incident,” the statement read. The USS Connecticut struck an object on Oct. 2 while submerging in the South China Sea, injuring 11 crew without life-threatening injuries. The Navy said it would investigate the incident at the time. “The investigation determined USS Connecticut …