Retiring 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.
Read more at the U.S. Coast Guard
