Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: July 15, 2008

Contact:  Lt.j.g. Barnes Reiney
(504) 393-6032

***Media Advisory***

COAST GUARD AIR STATION NEW ORLEANS CHANGE OF COMMAND

NEW ORLEANS - A change-of-command ceremony is scheduled for the commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans here Friday, July 18, at 11 a.m.

Cmdr. Edward J. Cubanski, of Norwich, Conn., previously the executive officer of Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., will relieve Capt. Thomas C. Hastings, Jr., of command of Air Station New Orleans.  Rear Adm. Joel R. Whitehead, commander of Coast Guard District Eight, will preside over the ceremony.

The change of command ceremony is a time-honored event, preserved by the rich heritage of naval tradition.  It is a formal custom designed to strengthen the respect for authority, which is vital to any military organization.  The climax of the ceremony is reached when both officers read their orders, face one another, salute and transfer responsibility for the command.  This exchange provides the entire unit with the knowledge that an officer directed by proper authority is taking command and gives them the opportunity to witness the tranfer of responsibility.

Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans' responsibility includes the area from Apalachicola, Fla., north to Mempthis, Tenn., and west to the Louisiana/Texas border along with thousands of offshore oil platforms.  Within this area, the station's missions include Homeland Security, Search and Rescue, and Law Enforcement.  Additionally, the Air Station played a significant role during Hurricane Katrina, hoisting the first survivors, followed by saving over 7,100 lives in coordination with other Coast Guard air assets.

Media Note:  Media is invited to attend the ceremony and is requested to call or e-mail the Air Station's Public Affairs Officer no later than Wednesday, July 16, to obtain a security clearance for the event.  Media is requested to report to the main gate of Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base New Orleans no later than 9:15 a.m., July 18, for escort onto the base.  For biographies on the commanding officers or questions regarding the day's events, contact the PAO, Lt.j.g. Barnes Reiney at (504) 393-6009 or howard.b.reiney@uscg.mil.

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U.S. Coast Guard - Saving lives since 1790