KODIAK, Alaska — Lt. Cmdr. Michael D. Newell will relieve Lt. Raymond J. Reichl as commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Maple during a formal ceremony aboard the ship in Sitka, Thursday at 12:30 p.m.
Reichl has commanded the 225-foot Maple since Oct. 1, 2013. Reichl will remain aboard the cutter as the executive officer.
Newell is reporting to the Maple after being the executive officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Hickory in Homer.
His previous tours include serving as the executive officer aboard the Hickory from 2011 until 2013. In 2009, he was selected as a Coast Guard Academy company officer and he earned a Master of Arts degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of New Haven. After graduation, he oversaw the professional training of 130 Coast Guard Academy cadets. From 2003 to 2005 he served as executive officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Staten Island. On his first assignment as a commissioned officer, Newell served as deck watch officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter SPAR in 2003.
Newell is a native of St. Petersburg, Fla., and graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 2003 earning a Bachelor of Science degree in government.
Newell’s military decorations include two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals and several other awards. He also wears the permanent cutterman’s pin signifying more than five years of qualified sea service.
Media interested in attending the ceremony should R.S.V.P. to Lt. Erin Chlum at erin.h.chlum-TAD@uscg.mil.
WHO: The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Maple
WHAT: Change of Command ceremony
WHERE: On the ship in Sitka, Alaska. Foul weather location for the ceremony will be held in the Air Station Sitka Training Room.
WHEN: 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29.
CONTACT: Petty Officers 3rd Class Jonathan Klingenberg or Lt. Erin Chlum at erin.h.chlum-TAD@uscg.mil.