Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City holds change of command, retirement ceremony

 

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June 09, 2017 U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic Contact: 5th District Public Affairs Office: (757) 398-6272 After Hours: (757) 434-7712

Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City holds change of command, retirement ceremony

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ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — Capt. Joseph E. Deer relieved Capt. Richard S. Craig and assumed command of Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City during a change of command ceremony at the air station, Friday.

 

Capt. Deer most recently served as chief of the incident management branch for the Coast Guard 17^th District in Juneau, Alaska, where he was responsible for search and rescue, law enforcement, fisheries and marine environmental protection.

 

The change of command is a time-honored tradition that ensures the continuity of command. It is a formal ceremony conducted before the assembled company of the unit that marks the transfer of total responsibility, authority, and accountability for the air station from one individual to another.

 

Immediately following the change of command, a retirement ceremony was held for Capt. Craig.

 

Capt. Craig assumed command of Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City in June 2014 and retires with nearly 27 years of active duty military service. Craig’s personal awards include three Meritorious Service Medals, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, three Coast Guard Achievement Medals and other military awards.

Rear Adm. Meredith Austin, commander of the Fifth Coast Guard District, presided over the ceremony.

 

 

 

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