Relieved Air Station Commander Mark Vislay walks past one of the helicopters he’s flown during his two years in Sitka. Vislay is being reassigned as a staff officer of the Coast Guard Commandant. (KCAW photo/Robert Woolsey)
Commander Mark Vislay handed over the stick at Air Station Sitka to his former executive officer, Commander William Lewin, in a ceremony in the helicopter hangar this morning (Friday 6-10-16).
Rear Admiral Daniel Abel presided over the event, as one of his last official actions. Abel himself will step down as the Coast Guard Commander in Alaska on June 15.
Incoming Air Station Sitka Commander William Lewin greets Yeoman Chief Petty Officer Clara Whitehead during his first formal review of the unit. (KCAW photo/Robert Woolsey)
The change of command ceremony is a biennial ritual at the air station. Over 100 Sitkans attended, including KCAW’s Robert Woolsey, who sent this audio postcard.
An audio postcard from today’s/Friday’s change-of-command ceremony at Coast Guard Air Station Sitka. Departing Commander Mark Vislay received a Meritorious Service commendation for his two year’s service in Sitka.
Slideshow: Air Station Sitka Change-of-Command, June 10, 2016
