WHO: Vice Adm. Charles W. Ray, Commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area, Rear Adm. Mark E. Butt, the incoming district commander, and Rear Adm. Richard T. Gromlich, the outgoing district commanderWHAT: Are scheduled to host a change-of-command ceremony for the Coast Guard's 13th District which covers Washington, Oregon, Idaho and MontanaWHEN: Friday at 10 a.m.WHERE: Coast Guard Base Seattle, 1519 Alaskan Way South, Seattle
SEATTLE — Rear Adm. Mark E. Butt is scheduled to assume command of the Coast Guard’s 13th District during a change-of-command ceremony Friday at 10 a.m. at Coast Guard Base Seattle.
Butt will relieve Rear Adm. Richard T. Gromlich, who served as the 13th District’s commander since June 2013.
As the 13th District commander, Butt will be responsible for all Coast Guard operations throughout the Pacific Northwest which includes protecting life and property, enforcing federal laws and treaties, preserving the living marine resources, and promoting national security. Headquartered in Seattle, the 13th District includes the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana and includes more than 4,400 miles of coastline, 600 miles of inland waterways, and a more than 140 mile international border with Canada
Butt reported to the 13th District following his most recent assignment as the Assistant Commandant for Capability, Rear Admiral Butt was responsible for identifying and providing service-wide capabilities, competencies, and capacity; and for developing standards for the staffing, training, equipping, sustaining, maintaining, and employing Coast Guard forces to meet mission requirements.
Gromlich will be retiring from the Coast Guard after 33 years of service during which he served as a helicopter pilot, with his previous operational and command tours in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Savannah, Georgia, North Bend, Oregon, San Diego, California and Charleston, South Carolina. Upon retirement, Gromlich will continue residing in the Seattle area.
Vice Adm. Charles W. Ray, commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area, will preside over the ceremony.
Media interested in attending should contact Coast Guard 13th District Public Affairs personnel at 206-220-7237 by 8:30 a.m. Friday.