Vice Adm. Charles W. Ray, the Pacific Area commander, and the official party render a salute during the opening of the 11th District change of command ceremony held on Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif., Thursday, June 5, 2014.
Rear Adm. Joseph A. Servidio took command from Rear Adm. Karl L. Schultz, who has served as the district’s commander since July 2012. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Adam Stanton
Rear Adm. Joseph Servidio (Left), 11th Coast Guard District commander, speaks with Rear Adm. Karl L. Schultz, former district commander, during a reception held after a change of command ceremony on Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif.,
Thursday, June 5, 2014. During the ceremony Servidio assumed command of the 11th Coast Guard District from Schultz. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Dan Dewell
Rear Adm. Joseph A. Servidio assumed command of the 11th Coast Guard District from Rear Adm. Karl L. Schultz during a change-of-command ceremony Thursday, June 5, 2014 at Coast Guard Island.
U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Loumania Stewart
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Rear Adm. Joseph A. Servidio assumed command of the 11th Coast Guard District from Rear Adm. Karl L. Schultz during a change-of-command ceremony Thursday at Coast Guard Island.
As commander of the 11th District, Servidio will oversee Coast Guard operations in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah, coastal and offshore operations from the California-Oregon border to the U.S. Mexico border, and counter-smuggling law enforcment operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of Central and South America. He will also direct maritime homeland security operations, port safety and security, environmental protection, commercial and recreational vessel safety, and maritime law enforcement throughout the district.
During the past two years, Coast Guard men and women operating in the 11th Coast Guard District confiscated more than 200,000 pounds of illegal drugs, interdicted 720 undocumented migrants, and executed 3,600 search-and-rescue cases saving 750 lives and preserving $17.4 million in property.
Servidio was previously assigned to Coast Guard headquarters as the Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy overseeing Coast Guard Inspections and Compliance, Marine Transportation Systems, and Commercial Regulations and Standards. The three directorates under his leadership included: policy experts in waterways management, navigation and boating safety, commercial vessels, ports and facilities, merchant mariner credentialing, vessel documentation, marine casualty investigation, inspections, and port state control.
"I am humbled by the tremendous accomplishments of Admiral Schultz and all the front-line men and women of the Coast Guard 11th District family - active, reserve, civilian, and auxiliary," said Servidio. " I've been tremendously impressed with your actions, your enthusiasm, your proficiency, and devotion to duty and service."
Schultz served as the district’s commander since July 2012 and will be reporting to the U.S. Southern Command in Doral, Fla., to serve as Director of Operations. He received the Legion of Merit award at today's ceremony for his service at 11th District Commander.
For a copy of the change of command program, click HERE.