JUNEAU, Alaska – The Coast Guard Arctic District staff held a change of command ceremony Friday in Juneau.
Rear Adm. Bob Little relieved Rear Adm. Megan Dean as the commander of the Coast Guard Arctic District.
Little was previously the director of the Joint Interagency Task Force West where he coordinated with the U.S. interagency and international partners to identify, monitor, and target illicit and malign activities that enable cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) to produce and traffic deadly narcotics that harm U.S. citizens.
As the Arctic District Commander, Little is responsible for Coast Guard operations throughout Alaska, the North Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea. These operations include protecting life and property, ensuring marine safety, enforcing federal laws and treaties, protecting the marine environment, preserving living marine resources and promoting national security.
“I can’t imagine a more exciting time to be in the Coast Guard,” said Little. “Together we will face the challenges ahead and uphold the legacy of excellence that defines the United States Coast Guard Arctic District.”
Dean, who took command of the Artic District in June 2023, is transferring to Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where she will serve as the Assistant Commandant for Operations Integration and Response Policy.
The Coast Guard’s forces in Alaska total more than 2,500 active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary personnel. Headquartered in Juneau, the District provides operationally ready maritime forces to Coast Guard and Department of Defense Commanders for Coast Guard, joint, and interagency operations both domestically and internationally.
A 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.
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