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CHARLESTON, S.C. — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Willow conducted a change of command ceremony, Thursday, in North Charleston.
Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Tolliver relieved Cmdr. Erin Chlum as commanding officer of the Willow during the ceremony, which was presided over by Rear Adm. Douglas Schofield, commander, Coast Guard Seventh District.
Chlum served as the commanding officer of the Willow from June 2021 to June 2024. Chlum’s next assignment will be the Evaluations Branch Chief for Officer Personnel Management in Washington, D.C.
“Commanding the Willow has been a tremendous honor and privilege,” said Chlum. “I will always remember the sunrises, sunsets, and ports of call, but mostly I will cherish the friends and shipmates who became a second family.”
Tolliver previously served as deputy, Polar Coordination Office at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“Thank you Cmdr. Chlum for your leadership and wisdom,” said Tolliver. “I am honored and ecstatic to be serving with the Willow crew for the next three years.”
The change of command ceremony marks a transfer of total responsibility and authority from one individual to another. It is a time-honored tradition, conducted before the assembled crew, as well as honored guests and dignitaries to formally demonstrate the continuity of the authority within a command.
The Coast Guard Cutter Willow is a 225-foot Juniper class sea going buoy tender. With a total of 48 crewmembers, the Willow is responsible for servicing 248 aids to navigation of all types in South Carolina and throughout the Caribbean. Cutter Willow is also capable of performing aids to navigation, law enforcement, search and rescue, marine environmental protection, and ice breaking.
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