(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Katelyn Tyson)
Four weeks ago today, we talked with the 13th Coast Guard District‘s then-commander Rear Adm. Keith Taylor about his impending retirement. After Friday ceremonies at Seattle’s USCG station, he’s enjoying his first full day of retirement, and District 13 has a new commander, a role that usually includes residence on the grounds of the Alki Point Lighthouse. The new commander is Rear Adm. Richard T. Gromlich – he’s on the left in the photo above, with Rear Adm. (ret.) Taylor at right, and Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area and Defense Forces West, between them. Before coming to Seattle to lead the 13th District, Rear Adm. Gromlich, a Pennsylvania native, served as the Coast Guard’s first director of operational logistics, overseeing 13 bases and one base detachment (here’s his full bio). Read more about the change of command and Friday’s ceremony on the USCG website.