Media Advisory: Coast Guard Cutter John Midgett scheduled to receive new commanding officer.

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 13th District Pacific Northwest Contact: 13th District Public Affairs Office: (206) 220-7237 After Hours: (206) 220-7237 13th District online newsroom

Media Advisory: Coast Guard Cutter John Midgett scheduled to receive new commanding officer

Editor’s Note: Media interested in attending should arrive at Pier 36 at the Port of Seattle by 9:30 a.m. Please RSVP with Ensign Michael Jeffko at 806-707-6088.

SEATTLE – The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter John Midgett is scheduled to hold a change of command ceremony at Pier 36 Port of Seattle, Friday, at 10 a.m.  

During the traditional military ceremony, Capt. Teri L. Jordan will transfer command to Capt. Michael W. Cribbs with Vice Adm. Linda L. Fagan, commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area, presiding over the ceremony.

Cribbs has served ten years at sea aboard five Coast Guard cutters. He has extensive experience in counter-drug, migrant interdiction, fisheries enforcement, search and rescue, maritime interdiction and security engagement operations. Cribbs has earned a Bachelor’s of Science in civil engineering from the Coast Guard Academy, a Master’s of Science in civil engineering from the University of Illinois and a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College. He is also a licensed professional engineer.

Jordan has also served aboard five Coast Guard cutters, and upon relief Jordan's next assignment will be at Joint Task Force East in Portsmouth, Va.

The Coast Guard Cutter John Midgett was commissioned March 17, 1972. It is the twelfth and final cutter of the 378-foot Hamilton class High Endurance cutters. It has been homeported in Seattle since April 2, 1992. Its missions include search and rescue, law enforcement, marine environmental protection and military readiness.

The Cutter was named after Chief Warrant Officer John Allen Midgett, who was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal for his heroic rescue of 42 crewmen from the torpedoed British tanker Mirlo in 1918. The professionalism, dedication, and self-sacrifice displayed by Midgett represent the standard by which all personnel who serve aboard the cutter are measured. 

The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition deeply rooted in Coast Guard and Naval history. The event signifies a total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability for the command. The ceremony is attended by all members of the unit so they all witness the transfer of leadership.

 

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