Coast Guard Cutter Oak welcomes new commander

News Release

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

Coast Guard Cutter Oak welcomes new commander

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BOSTON — Lt. Cmdr. Gordon Hood assumed command of Coast Guard Cutter Oak from Cmdr. Mark Crysler during a change-of-command ceremony, Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island.

Hood is assuming an area of responsibility that spans from the Canadian border to northern New Jersey. Oak is a multi-mission cutter, which services aids-to-navigation and supports search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, marine pollution prevention and response, treaty enforcement, and defense and homeland security.

Crysler will continue to serve in his next assignment at Training Center Cape May, New Jersey.

"I'm humbled to be joining the Oak crew," said Hood. "We will continue to promote national economic security through the navigation safety of the Marine Transportation System along the Northeast coastline." 

First Coast Guard District Commander Rear Adm. Andrew Tiongson presided over the ceremony.

The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored military tradition deeply rooted in Coast Guard history and signifies a complete transfer of authority and responsibility from one individual to another.

-USCG-