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HONOLULU — Capt. Frederick Riedlin relieved Capt. Timothy Gilbride and assumed command of Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point during a change of command and retirement ceremony at the air station, Friday.
Rear Adm. Vincent B. Atkins, Commander for the Fourteenth Coast Guard District, presided over the ceremony.
“I am truly honored and humbled to be given this incredible opportunity to serve as the air station’s commanding officer, and I would like to commend my old friend Captain Gilbride for his exemplary leadership and commitment to service,” said Riedlin. “It is absolutely wonderful to be back in the 14th Coast Guard District, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with the fine members of Air Station Barbers Point.”
The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition and formal ritual conducted before the assembled company of a command to confirm to the men and women of the unit that the authority of command is maintained. The ceremony is a transfer of total responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual to another.
Prior to reporting to the air station, Riedlin, a native of Easton, Md., served at the Executive Assistant for the Coast Guard Acquisition Directorate, where he assisted in the $29B recapitalization of the Coast Guard’s cutter fleet, aviation assets, and C4ISR systems. His immediate previous assignment was as the Commanding Officer of Air Station New Orleans, where he led critical aviation surge operations following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and oversaw more than 500 Search and Rescue cases.
Gilbride, a native of Pensacola, Fla., will be retiring after serving as the commanding officer of Air Station Barbers Point since June 1st, 2012.
"It has been a privilege serving as the commanding officer of Air Station Barbers Point, and I am so proud of the Coast Guard men and women at the air station," said Gilbride. "I will always cherish my time in Hawaii, and I will take the spirit of aloha with me."
Gilbride was cited for outstanding meritorious service as the commanding officer and was awarded the The Meritorious Service Medal (Gold Star in Lieu of a Third). During his tenure at the air station, Gilbride oversaw the execution of 496 rescues cases resulting in 153 lives saved.