The crew of Coast Guard Base Charleston conducted a change of command ceremony Friday at the Red Bank Club on board Naval Weapons Station Charleston.
During the ceremony, Cmdr. Michael Paradise transferred command of Coast Guard Base Charleston to Cmdr. Matt Bournonville.
Paradise served as the plank owner commanding officer of Base Charleston since its establishment on Oct. 19, 2015, and has led the base through a variety of challenges including the 100-year storm and Hurricanes Matthew and Irma. Paradise has set the foundation for the Coast Guard to expand its operations in Charleston with additional cutters planned to be homeported at the base.
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.
“Base Charleston will always hold a very special place in my heart,” said Paradise. “It is very rare to get the opportunity to establish a new unit, and the only reason we have been able to succeed in establishing Base Charleston has been through the family environment which we worked to establish. I could not have asked for a better crew to work with and I will greatly miss each and every member of the Base Charleston family.”
Following the change of command, a promotion ceremony was held for Paradise, who was promoted to the rank of captain.
Paradise is transferring to New Orleans, where he will hold the position of commanding officer of Base New Orleans.
