PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Coast Guard Sector Juneau, Alaska, holds change of command ceremony

united states coast guard 

 

 

News Release

 

U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska
Contact: 17th District Public Affairs
Office: (907) 463-2065
After Hours: (907) 209-8731
17th District online newsroom

Coast Guard Sector Juneau, Alaska, holds change of command ceremony

Capt. Phillip R. Thorne conducts a final personnel inspection as sector commander of Coast Guard Sector Juneau, Alaska, during a change of command and retirement ceremony held at The Alaska State Museum in Juneau, May 4, 2018. Capt. Stephen R. White assumed command of Sector Juneau during the ceremony and Thorne retired after 27 years of Coast Guard service. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Jon-Paul Rios. Capt. Phillip R. Thorne stands beside Rear Adm. Michael McAllister after relinquishing his command of Coast Guard Sector Juneau to Capt. Stephen R. White, at The Alaska State Museum in Juneau, Alaska, May 4, 2018. Immediately after the change of command ceremony, a retirement ceremony was held for Thorne who served in the Coast Guard for 27 years. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jon-Paul Rios.
Capt. Phillip R. Thorne departs his change of command and retirement ceremony, accompanied by his wife, in the Alaska State Museum in Juneau, Alaska, May 4, 2018. Thorne served in the Coast Guard for 27 years. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jon-Paul Rios. https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4361411/coast-guard-sector-juneau-change-command-ceremony-2018

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

JUNEAU, Alaska — Capt. Phillip Thorne transferred command of Coast Guard Sector Juneau to Capt. Stephen White during a change of command ceremony Friday at the Alaska State Museum in Juneau.

White was previously assigned as the Seventeenth District Chief of Enforcement where he oversaw all Coast Guard law enforcement and ports and waterways security missions across the state of Alaska. His other notable assignments include commanding officer of the Alaska-based Coast Guard Cutters Alex Haley and Anacapa, chief of international planning at Coast Guard Atlantic Area, and Coast Guard liaison to U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

"Having spent over 12 years of my career in Alaska, I am looking forward to the chance to spearhead the high level of service that Sector Juneau provides to the residents of southeast Alaska," said White. "It is my honor to take command and I express my profound appreciation to Captain Thorne for leaving such a highly-trained and motivated workforce."

The change of command ceremony marks a transfer of total responsibility and authority from one individual to another. It is a time-honored tradition conducted before the assembled crew, as well as honored guests and dignitaries to formally demonstrate the continuity of the authority within a command.

As the sector commander, Capt. White will serve as the Captain of the Port, officer in charge of marine inspection, federal on-scene coordinator, search and rescue mission coordinator, and federal maritime security coordinator for all of southeast Alaska.

Following the change of command ceremony, Capt. Thorne retired from the Coast Guard after 27 years of service.

 

-USCG-