HOUSTON — Coast Guard Cmdr. Ricardo Alonso transferred command of Marine Safety Unit Texas City to Cmdr. Gregory Callaghan during a change-of-command ceremony at the Charles T. Doyle Convention Center, Friday.
Callaghan assumed command of MSU Texas City and responsibility for operations that span across Galveston, Texas City, Freeport, 26 miles of the Houston Ship Channel, along the gulf intracoastal waterway to the Colorado River, and up to 200 miles offshore in the Exclusive Economic Zone.
Callaghan received his commission after graduating from State University of New York Maritime College and holds a Master of Public Administration from Old Dominion University and previously served as the executive officer of MSU Texas City.
During Alonso's time at the unit, many significant incidents occurred in his area of responsibility such as the Texas City "Y" oil spill in 2014. He will be a Fellow at the Homeland Security Studies and Analysis Institute for his next tour.
The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored tradition and deeply rooted in Coast Guard and Naval history. The event signifies a total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability for the command.