KOTZEBUE, Alaska - The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL 752) held a change of command ceremony, Monday, while at anchor in Kotzebue.
Rear Adm. Jeffery Novak, deputy commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area, presided over the ceremony in which Capt. Matthew Press relieved Rear Adm. Dorothy Hernaez as Stratton's commanding officer.
Press reports to Stratton from the National War College, where he completed a master's degree in national security strategy. His afloat experience includes tours aboard the U.S. Coast Guard national security cutters, Bertholf (WMSL 752) and Hamilton (WMSL 753). Press has also served in ashore roles focused on operational strategy and maritime security, culminating in his recent studies at the National Defense University.
Hernaez served as Stratton's commanding officer from 2024 to 2026. Under her command, Stratton deployed across the Caribbean and Arctic conducting maritime interdiction operations, strengthening joint and combined capabilities, and earning high scores during operational readiness assessments. Hernaez's leadership during Stratton's current deployment included defending U.S. territorial integrity in the Arctic, intercepting foreign vessels operating within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and serving as the Coast Guard's focal point during Seattle Fleet Week, where the cutter hosted more than 2,500 visitors.
"It has been an honor and privilege to serve as Stratton's commanding officer," said Hernaez. "Although I am sad that my time going to sea has reached its end, I depart with immense pride in the crew's accomplishments. Their dedication to the mission and to each other has marked my tour as one of the greatest honors of my career. This crew will continue to excel and uphold our motto, 'We Can't Afford Not To.'"
Hernaez will next serve as the Judge Advocate General of the Coast Guard.
The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition and formal ritual conducted before the assembled company of a command to confirm the continuity of authority. The ceremony represents the transfer of total responsibility, authority, and accountability from one commanding officer to another.
Commissioned in 2012, Stratton is one of four national security cutters homeported in Alameda, California, and is among the 11 cutters that make up the Legend-class. National security cutters are capable of extended, worldwide deployment in support of homeland security and national defense missions. They are 418 feet long, 54 feet wide, displace 4,600 long tons, have a top speed of more than 28 knots, a range of 12,000 nautical miles, endurance of up to 90 days and can hold a crew of up to 170.
—USCG—