A color guard represents the branches of the U.S. military during a Coast Guard Sector Anchorage, Alaska, change of command ceremony, July 8, 2015, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. During the ceremony, Capt.Paul Mehler III transferred command of the sector to Capt. Paul Albertson. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Meredith A. Manning)
Capt. Paul Alberston addresses the audience during a Coast Guard Sector Anchorage, Alaska, change of command ceremony July 8, 2015, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Albertson assumed command from Capt. Paul Mehler III. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Meredith Manning)
Capt. Paul Mehler III addresses the audience during a Coast Guard Sector Anchorage, Alaska, change of command ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, July 8, 2015. The audience included state, tribal, federal and military leaders. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Meredith Manning)
Rear Adm. Dan Abel, Coast Guard District 17 commander, presents Capt. Paul Mehler III a certificate of appreciation from President Barack Obama during a Coast Guard Sector Anchorage, Alaska, change of command ceremony, July 8, 2015, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Mehler transferred command of the sector to Capt. Paul Alberston. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Meredith Manning)
Capt. Paul Mehler III transfers command of Coast Guard Sector Anchorage to Capt. Paul Albertson during a change of command ceremony, July 8, 2015, on Joint Base Elemndorf-Richardson, Alaska. Rear Adm. Dan Abel, District 17 commander, presided over the ceremony. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Meredith Manning)
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Coast Guard Capt. Paul Mehler III transfered command of Sector Anchorage to Capt. Paul Albertson during a change of command ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Wednesday.
The ceremony was presided over by Rear Adm. Dan Abel, commander, 17th District, and ended with a retirement ceremony for Mehler who served as sector commander since 2012 and retired with 25 years of service.
Albertson comes to Anchorage after serving as chief of prevention at Coast Guard 9th District in Cleveland, Ohio. He is a certified Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Professional and led policy development on oil and hazardous material response while stationed at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington D.C. As Sector Anchorage commander, Albertson assumes command of the Coast Guard's largest geographical area of responsibility, a region comprised of numerous high-risk and isolated locations.
"It's no secret the Alaskan maritime domain can be a challenging operating environment, and there are many key stakeholders with a wide range of keen interests," said Albertson. "I look forward to working with them to address the challenges that lie ahead."
During his time in Anchorage, Mehler was responsible for the execution of Coast Guard missions throughout Western Alaska and the Arctic including responses to the 2014 Cook Inlet platform fire and the 2012 grounding of the drill barge Kulluk. His efforts addressed long-standing preparedness gaps and strengthened relationships with federal, local and tribal stakeholders crucial for the management of remote but vital waterways and the marine environment.
"While at Sector Anchorage, I had the pleasure to serve the people of Alaska and it was here that I truly learned what partnerships really mean," said Mehler. "I’ve been blessed to have had the opportunity to share in the lives of great men and women whom I consider family."