HONOLULU — Coast Guard Oceania District held a change of command ceremony on Coast Guard Base Honolulu Monday.
Rear Adm. Wayne Arguin assumed the duties and responsibilities of Coast Guard Oceania District’s commander from Rear Adm. Sean Regan.
Vice Adm. Joseph Buzzella, commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area and Defense Force West, presided over the ceremony.
Arguin previously served as Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy at Coast Guard Headquarters in D.C., where he developed national policy, standards, and programs promoting Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Stewardship.
"It is an absolute honor to take command of Coast Guard Oceania District,” said Arguin. “I look forward to working alongside our dedicated service members and international partners to uphold security, safety and economic prosperity in the Hawaiian Islands and throughout the region.”
Regan assumed command of Oceania District in June 2024 and directed Coast Guard operations in the Pacific region, a 20-million-square-mile area of responsibility encompassing the Hawaiian Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and activities in Singapore and Japan.
"It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the Coast Guard members and their families in Hawaii, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Japan, and Singapore,” said Regan. “Rear Admiral Arguin takes command of a staff and crew dedicated to protecting the maritime domain and remaining part of the Pacific family. The dedication saving those at sea, protecting our borders, and securing the maritime transportation system – while remaining poised and postured for any contingency – is remarkable. I greatly appreciate the strong, continuous, and welcoming relationships across the Pacific Island Countries, including Australia, New Zealand and France. Coast Guard Oceania District and our Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and Department of War colleagues make a strong team. I appreciate the support of our elected leaders at the federal, state, and local levels and our close partnership with the Hawaii National Guard and Guam National Guard team. Together these professionals will enhance our Nation’s next 250 years.”
The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition representing the formal transfer of authority, responsibility, and accountability for a unit from one commanding officer to another.
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