Coast Guard Cutter Campbell receives new captain

united states coast guard 

News Release  

April 08, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Northeast
Contact: 1st District Public Affairs
Office: (617) 223-8515
After Hours: (617) 717-9609

Coast Guard Cutter Campbell receives new captain

U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Michael F. Nasitka addresses the audience during the change of command ceremony Saturday, April 8, 2017, at Portsmouth Naval Station in Kittery, Maine. Nasitka will be the commanding officer of the USCG Command, Control, and Communications Engineering Center. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicole J. Groll) U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Michael F. Nasitka and Cmdr. Mark A. McDonnell salute each other signaling the change of command for Coast Guard Cutter Campell Saturday, April 8, 2017, at Portsmouth Naval Station in Kittery, Maine. The Change of Command Ceremony is a time-honored military tradition conveying to officers and enlisted personnel of the cutter that the authority of command is relinquished by one person and assumed by another. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicole J. Groll) U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Mark A. McDonnell addresses the audience during the change of command ceremony Saturday, April 8, 2017, at Portsmouth Naval Station in Kittery, Maine. McDonnell was previously assigned as the Chief of Cutter Management at the First Coast Guard District in Boston.(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicole J. Groll) United States Senator Maggie Hassan stands with the former and current commanding officers of Coast Guard Cutter Campbell during the change of command ceremony Saturday, April 8, 2017, at Portsmouth Naval Station in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The Coast Guard Cutter Campbell (WMEC-909) is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth, NH. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicole J. Groll)

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BOSTON — Coast Guard Cmdr. Mark A. McDonnell relieved Capt. Michael F. Nasitka as the Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Cutter Campbell Saturday during a change of command ceremony at the Coast Guard Moorings at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine.

McDonnell was previously assigned as the Chief of Cutter Management at the First Coast Guard District in Boston.

"I am honored to join the proud Coast Guard tradition of Coast Guardsmen who have served on the Cutter Campbell," said McDonnell. "I'm impressed with the crew who have surpassed my expectations, and I look forward to sailing with them."

Nasitka will report to U.S. Coast Guard Command, Control, Communications, and Engineering Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. 

"Cutter Campbell has accomplished a great deal in my time as commanding officer, I will move on to my new assignment knowing this cutter and crew will continue to be one of the hardest working and strongest performing cutters in the Coast Guard well after my departure," said Nasitka.

Capt. Jeffrey K. Randall, chief of Atlantic Area operations presided over the ceremony.

United States Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire attended the ceremony, which is a time-honored military tradition.

The Change of Command Ceremony is a formal ritual conducted before the assembled company of the command. It conveys to officers and enlisted personnel of the cutter that although the authority of command is relinquished by one person and assumed by another, it is still maintained without interruption.

The Coast Guard Cutter Campbell (WMEC-909) is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter, with a crew complement of approximately 100 (86 enlisted and 14 officers).

 

-USCG-