Civilians ordered hands off control

From CNN Military Affairs Correspondent Jamie McIntyre and Correspondent Marina Kamimura

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A moratorium will be placed on civilians taking controls of U.S. military equipment, sources told CNN on Wednesday.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's order could be announced as early as Thursday at a Pentagon briefing.

The move comes in the wake of the February 9 accident in which a U.S. nuclear submarine struck a Japanese fishing vessel, which then sank. Nine people are missing and presumed dead.

RESOURCES Names of civilians on board the USS Greeneville during collision    IN-DEPTH Collision at sea  • Key facts  • Look inside the sub  • Sub-ship size comparison  • How a submarine works  • Description of ascent maneuver     MESSAGE BOARD Sub collision    INTERACTIVE Learn more about the U.S. Navy's Unmanned Vehicle Detachment (UMV) Learn more about Deep Drone    VIDEO While Japan's government says it's waiting for investigations to conclude, CNN Marina Kamimura says the Japanese people aren't so patient Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Watch the NTSB news conference (part 1) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) (part 2) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

The Navy and Army had previously announced similar restrictions, but Rumsfeld's order would cover all branches of the military.

Senior defense officials said that Rumsfeld remains a strong believer in programs that bring U.S. civilians into contact with the military and noted that the moratorium will not affect so-called "ride-alongs." Civilian observation of military exercises and procedures will still be allowed, but their participation will be restricted.

Sixteen civilians were on board the USS Greeneville at the time of the accident. Two of them were at key control stations when the submarine performed an emergency ascent maneuver and struck the Ehime Maru. They were closely supervised by trained crewmembers and the Navy has insisted their presence had nothing to do with the collision. However, a National Transportation Safety Board investigator said one crew member cited the civilians as a distraction as he tried to perform his duties.

Japanese admiral invited to be part of inquiry

In Honolulu, the Pacific Fleet announced Wednesday it had invited Rear Admiral Isamu Ozawa of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force to be an adviser to a court of inquiry, where three officers from the Greeneville will be questioned about the accident. The court convenes Monday.

The sub's commanding officer, Cmdr. Scott Waddle, the executive officer, Lt. Cmdr. Gerald Pfeifer, and the officer of the deck, Lt. Junior Grade Michael Coen will appear before the court.

The court will consist of three Navy officers as well as the Japanese adviser. The Navy officers will make recommendations to Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Thomas Fargo based on what is heard in court and Fargo will ultimately decide what will happen to the members of the sub crew.

The men could face court martial charges, depending on the findings of the court.

Also Wednesday, Japanese family members of the nine people feared dead in the collision returned home.

Japan's Foreign Ministry said the family members were expected to meet with Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and Thomas Foley, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, when they return Thursday afternoon.

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February 19, 2001
Letter from the Mayor of Uwajima, Japan
February 19, 2001
Civilians: We were 'innocent bystanders' in sub accident
February 18, 2001
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February 18, 2001
Civilians barred from sub controls during probe
February 16, 2001
First report on sub collision could come this week
February 15, 2001
Search to end for 9 missing from submarine collision
February 14, 2001
Two civilians were at controls of sub during collision
February 13, 2001
Hope fades for submarine collision survivors
February 12, 2001

U.S. Coast Guard
Japanese Prime Minister
City of Uwajima's memorial site
U.S. Navy
 • CINCPACFLT statement on the USS Greeneville incident
 • Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
 • USS Greeneville
National Transportation Safety Board

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