Media Advisory: Astoria-based Coast Guard Cutter Fir to receive new commanding officer

News Release

July 13, 2017 U.S. Coast Guard 13th District PA Detachment Astoria Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Astoria Office: (503) 861-6380 After Hours: (206) 819-9154

Astoria-based Coast Guard Cutter Fir to receive new commanding officer

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ASTORIA, Ore. — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Fir is scheduled to hold a change of command ceremony, Friday, at 11 a.m., at the cutter’s moorings at Tongue Point in Astoria.

 

During the traditional military ceremony, Cmdr. Kristen Serumgard will transfer command to Lt. Cmdr. Jason Haag with Rear Adm. David Throop, commander Coast Guard 13^th District, presiding during the ceremony.

 

Under Serumgard’s command, from July 2014 through July 2017, the crew of the Fir serviced more than 150 navigational aids and five NOAA weather buoys each year. These buoys include 36 percent of the Coast Guard’s largest buoys that stand 35 feet tall and 9 feet wide and weigh up to 18,000 pounds. By keeping buoys serviced the cutter’s crew helps ensure the safe transit of more than 44 million tons of foreign trade worth $24 billion. The Fir’s crew also assisted buoy tenders homeported in Alaska by servicing Alaska buoys when those cutters were engaged in supporting U.S. Arctic operations.

 

While commanding officer, Serumgard initiated an extensive analysis of the machinery space fire doctrine that resulted in revisions of service-wide policy, increasing safety for the entire 225-foot Juniper Class seagoing buoy tenders. Serumgard also fostered interagency partnerships, as she led numerous successful operations in support of U.S. Army Special Forces and the Department of Defense-led Operation Whiskey Spectre.

 

Serumgard will be transferring to New London, Conn., to take command of the International Ice Patrol.

 

Haag most recently served as a financial manager in the Office of Resources, Organizational Analysis, and Workforce Management at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he led a high performing team of eight in the annual distribution, management, and expenditure of more than $120 million to support senior staff services and government finance contracts. He is a 2002 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Environmental Science.

 

The change of command ceremony will be held at the Fir’s mooring at Base Tongue Point. The address is 37573 Highway 30, Astoria, Oregon.

 

For more information contact Lt. j.g. Nolan Gallagher at 503-325-1601.

 

-USCG-