Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater welcomes new commander

Rear Adm. Eric C. Jones, commander of the Coast Guard 7th District, addresses a crowd June 27, 2019, during Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater’s change of command ceremony in Clearwater, Florida. Jones presided over the ceremony in which Capt. Edward W. Sandlin transferred command of Air Station Clearwater to Capt. Joseph T. McGilley. (U.S. Coast Guard photos by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Dickinson).

CLEARWATER, Fla.​ — Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater welcomed a new commanding officer Thursday during a change-of-command ceremony at Air Station Clearwater.

Capt. Joseph McGilley relieved Capt. Edward Sandlin from the duties and responsibilities of commanding officer during the ceremony.​

McGilley reports to Clearwater after serving at the Coast Guard 9th District headquarters in Cleveland, where he served as the chief of response for the district, which coordinates and executes all Coast Guard search and rescue, environmental, security and maritime law enforcement actions in the Great Lakes region.​

Sandlin has served as the commanding officer of the air station since 2016. He formally retired from military service after over 27 years.

The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored tradition. It represents a total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual to another.​

The event ensures the continuity of leadership and operations within the air station’s area of responsibility.​ ​

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