R 072039Z AUG 09

ALCOAST 459/09
COMDTNOTE 1210
SUBJ: VICE COMMANDANT CHANGE OF WATCH
1. THIS MORNING I PRESIDED AT THE CHANGE OF WATCH CEREMONY WHERE
VADM VIVIEN S. CREA WAS RELIEVED AS VICE COMMANDANT OF THE COAST
GUARD BY VADM DAVID P. PEKOSKE.
2. VADM CREA SERVED THE COAST GUARD WITH DISTINCTION FOR OVER 36
YEARS. THROUGHOUT HER CAREER SHE COMMANDED BOTH FIXED AND ROTARY
WINGED AIR ASSETS AND LATER COMMANDED TWO COAST GUARD AIR STATIONS.
AMONG THE MANY PRECEDENTS SHE SET, VADM CREA WAS THE FIRST FEMALE
COMMANDING OFFICER OF AN AIR STATION AS WELL AS THE FIRST FEMALE
DISTRICT AND AREA COMMANDER.  SHE IS ALSO OUR ANCIENT ALBATROSS -
THE LONGEST SERVING AVIATOR ON ACTIVE DUTY - AN HONOR SHE HOLDS
UNTIL HER OFFICIAL RETIREMENT IN OCTOBER. AS A FLAG OFFICER, VADM
CREA COMMANDED THE FIRST DISTRICT AND THE ATLANTIC AREA, LEADING
OUR FORCES THROUGH SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN MISSIONS AND PRIORITIES
FOLLOWING 9/11 AND HURRICANE KATRINA RECOVERY EFFORTS. FOLLOWING
HER HISTORIC SELECTION AS VICE COMMANDANT, THE FIRST WOMAN TO
ACHIEVE SUCH A RANK WITHIN THE ARMED FORCES, VADM CREA SERVED THREE
DEMANDING YEARS EXECUTING THE MANY ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES I
ENVISIONED FOR THE COAST GUARD AND OVERSEEING MODERNIZATION EFFORTS
IN ANTICIPATION OF AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION.  CONSISTENTLY
DELIVERING EXCEPTIONAL VISION, JUDGMENT AND TRUSTED COUNSEL TO ME
AND THE COAST GUARD, VICE ADMIRAL CREA CHAMPIONED ACQUISITION
REFORM, PERSONALLY LED SERVICE EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE AUDIT READINESS
AND DEMONSTRATED AN UNRELENTING COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING QUALITY OF
LIFE FOR SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. IN AVIATORS PARLANCE,
SHE COVERED MY SIX AND ABOVE ALL ELSE, I VALUED HER LOYALTY AND
FRIENDSHIP.  I SPEAK FOR THE ENTIRE SERVICE AS I WISH HER THE VERY
BEST IN HER JOURNEY HOME FOR A WELL DESERVED LANDING WITH FAMILY
AND FRIENDS.
3. I WELCOME VADM PEKOSKE AND HIS FAMILY BACK TO WASHINGTON D.C.
FROM ALAMEDA, CA WHERE HE MOST RECENTLY COMMANDED THE PACIFIC AREA
AND LED EFFORTS TO MODERNIZE OUR SERVICE AND STAND UP THE TWO-STAR
FORCE READINESS COMMAND (FORCECOM).  VADM PEKOSKE PREVIOUSLY SERVED
AS COMMANDER OF THE FIRST DISTRICT AND AS MY ASSISTANT COMMANDANT
FOR OPERATIONS WHERE HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR STRATEGIC-LEVEL
PLANNING, POLICY AND RESOURCING FOR ALL OF THE COAST GUARDS
OPERATING PROGRAMS.  I LOOK FORWARD TO HIS LEADERSHIP AND EXPERTISE
IN HELPING THE COAST GUARD IN OUR ONGOING EFFORTS TO MODERNIZE OUR
ORGANIZATION.
4. LEADERSHIP TRANSITIONS ARE PART OF THE FABRIC OF MILITARY
SERVICE.  WHILE NAMES CHANGE, OUR SERVICE COMMITMENT TO BEING
SEMPER PARATUS REMAINS FIRMLY INTACT.  OUR GUARDIAN ETHOS - THE
WILLINGNESS TO PROTECT, SAVE, AND DEFEND THE MARITIME PUBLIC - WILL
CONTINUE TO GUIDE OUR DECISIONS AS WE MODERNIZE THE COAST GUARD TO
MEET THE MARITIME CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY.
5. ADMIRAL THAD ALLEN, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
6. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED