Capt. Jose Jiménez (center) and Capt. Darran McLenon inspect the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Mellon during a change-of-command ceremony in Seattle, July 31, 2015.
McLenon is reporting to the Melon from his prior position as chief of cutter forces, Pacific Area in Alameda, Calif.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda Norcross.
Vice Adm. Charles Ray, the Coast Guard Pacific Area commander, presents Capt. Jose Jiménez, former commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, with the Meritorious Service Medal for his service aboard the Mellon at a change-of-command ceremony in Seattle, July 31, 2015.
Jiménez a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and entered the Coast Guard through the Direct Commissioning Program.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda Norcross.
Capt. Darran McLenon (right), salutes Capt. Jose Jiménez (left) as Vice Adm. Charles Ray (center) presides over the Coast Guard Cutter Mellon’s change-of-command ceremony in Seattle, July 31, 2015.
The salute symbolized the transfer of command from Jiménez to McLenon.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda Norcross.
Capt. Jose Jiménez (left), former commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, and Capt. Darran McLenon (right), oncoming commanding officer of the Mellon, shake hands with Vice Adm. Charles Ray, Coast Guard Pacific Area commander presiding over their change-of-command ceremony in Seattle, July 31, 2015.
The ceremony is a military tradition, conducted in front of the unit’s crew, that formally signifies the transfer of responsibility and authority from an outgoing commander to an incoming one.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda Norcross.
SEATTLE — Capt. Darran McLenon relieved Capt. Jose Jiménez as commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, Friday.
McLenon’s previous assignment was as the Pacific Area chief of cutter forces, where he was involved in providing coastal, offshore tactical and strategic support to Pacific area districts, Department of Defense partners and maritime patrol forces.
Jiménez has been assigned as chief of response, Coast Guard 8th District in New Orleans, La.
“It is totally my honor to have you here today as I turn over command to Captain McLenon,” said Jiménez. “I certainly could not have done it without the great performances and sacrifices made by my crew and the support of many individuals here.”
Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, a 378-foot high endurance cutter homeported in Seattle, was commissioned January 9, 1968, and named after 49th Secretary of the Treasury Andrew W. Mellon.