Editor’s note: News media interested in attending the ceremony are requested to RSVP by emailing a list of member’s names to d5publicaffairs@uscg.mil by noon, Tuesday. Credentialed media are asked to bring a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance to access the base. It is recommended to arrive at the gate no later than 9:15 a.m., Wednesday, to attend the event.
WHO: Vice Adm. Nathan Moore, commander of Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath, commander Fifth Coast Guard District, Rear Adm. John “Jay” Vann
WHAT: Fifth Coast Guard District Change-of-Command ceremony
WHEN: Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Coast Guard Base Portsmouth, 4000 Coast Guard Blvd. Portsmouth, VA 23703
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Fifth Coast Guard District is scheduled to hold a Change-of-Command ceremony Wednesday at Coast Guard Base Portsmouth.
Rear Adm. John “Jay” Vann will assume the duties and responsibilities of the Fifth Coast Guard District from Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath. Vice Admiral Nathan Moore, commander of Coast Guard Atlantic Area, will be the presiding official over the ceremony.
Vann, as commander of the Fifth District, will serve as the operational commander for all Coast Guard missions from the North Carolina-South Carolina border to New Jersey, encompassing nearly 5,600 Coast Guard active duty, Reserve, and civilian personnel and spanning 1.4 million square miles of oceans, bays, and rivers. The Fifth District also includes several mid-Atlantic ports, the largest U.S. Naval base in the world, and the Capital region.
Prior to assuming command of the Fifth District, Vann most recently served as the commander of Coast Guard Cyber Command, in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for conducting cyberspace operations in support of Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Defense mission objectives.
Gilreath served as the Fifth District commander since 2022 and oversaw Coast Guard response operations throughout the region, including response efforts to oil spills, search and rescue cases and numerous critical marine transportation issues. He will go on to assume the role of Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Capabilities where he will be responsible for identifying and providing capabilities, competencies, and capacity along with service-wide policy for the staffing, training, equipping, and employing Coast Guard forces to meet mission requirements.
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