PORTLAND, Ore. — Coast Guard Sector Columbia River held a change of command ceremony Friday morning at the Sector, near Swan Island in Portland.
During the ceremony, Capt. Anthony Migliorini relieved Capt. Justin Noggle as commander of Sector Columbia River.
Rear Adm. Charles Fosse, commander, 13th Coast Guard District, presided over the ceremony.
Sector Columbia River is one of two sectors within District 13 and has an area of responsibility spanning from the California-Oregon border to southern Washington, encompassing 420 miles of coastline. In addition, Sector members operate within the 33 ports along 465 miles of waterways on the Columbia, Snake, and Willamette River systems, extending from the Pacific Ocean to Lewiston, Idaho.
Sector Columbia River members enable a $20 billion maritime transportation system, 8.5 million tons of grain exports, 1,500 foreign vessel arrivals, 50,000 cruise passengers, 290,000 recreational boats, 2,000 commercial fishing vessels, and 52 Maritime Transportation Security Act facilities.
Migliorini will now oversee the operations of 10 small boat stations, three aids to navigation teams, and one buoy tender.
“It’s a tremendous honor to join the outstanding team of Coast Guard members at Sector Columbia River,” said Migliorini. “I am incredibly excited to work with our maritime partners in the region and serve the citizens of the beautiful Pacific Northwest.”
Following the ceremony, Noggle retired from the Coast Guard following 24 years of faithful service to the American Public. Rear Adm. Rebecca Ore, Assistant Commandant for Intelligence, presided over the retirement ceremony.
“It was the privilege of my career to serve alongside the amazing Coast Guard men and women of Sector Columbia River,” said Noggle. “This was the perfect capstone to a wonderful Coast Guard career. I will miss working with the crew and our many Federal, State, local and industry parnters to protect mariners and safeguard the environment of this pristine region.”
The change of command ceremony is a time-honored military tradition that marks a transfer of total responsibility and authority from one individual to another. The ceremony is conducted in order to formally demonstrate the continuity of authority within a U.S. military command.
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