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CLEARWATER, Fla. — Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater crewmembers held a change-of-command and retirement ceremony at the air station, Friday.
Capt. Richard Lorenzen transferred command of the air station to Capt. Edward Sandlin during the ceremony.
Lorenzen was also recognized for his 33-year military career of which he spent 10 non-consecutive years at Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater.
During Lorenzen's latest tour at the air station, he guided 505 crewmembers to save and assist 681 people, and interdict more than 734,000 pounds of illegal narcotics. Most notably, Air Station Clearwater crewmembers saved 12 lives during Hurricane Joaquin, a Category IV hurricane.
Under Lorenzen's leadership the unit was awarded the 2014 Aviation Standardization Excellence Award for both the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and the HC-130 Hercules fixed wing aircraft.
The change of command ceremony of a Coast Guard unit formally represents the transfer of total responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual to another. This procedure was designated to ensure only authorized officers held command and that all were aware of the transfer of authority.