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HONOLULU – Capt. Robert T. Hendrickson relieved Capt. John W. McKinley as the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche commanding officer during a change of command ceremony at Base Honolulu, Wednesday.
Hendrickson most recently served as Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia in Bahrain.
Previously, Hendrickson has served seven tours afloat including two as commanding officer and three as executive officer. Hendrickson’s other assignments include chief instructor at the National Search and Rescue School, Deputy Chief of the Coast Guard’s Fisheries Law Enforcement Program at Coast Guard Headquarters, Coast Guard Liaison to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Chief of Enforcement for the 14th Coast Guard District and Deputy N35/Coast Guard Liaison Officer to Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Hendrickson is a 33-year veteran of the United States Coast Guard with 14 years of sea time. He enlisted in 1981 and advanced to become a quartermaster reaching the rank of petty officer 1st class. He received his commission in 1991 at Coast Guard officer candidate school.
Vice Adm. Charles W. Ray, Pacific Area commander and Defense Forces West presided over the ceremony.
McKinley will serve as Chief, Office of Cutter Forces at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington D.C. He will supervise the overall policy that governs the operation and training of all Coast Guard Cutters.
The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition, which formally restates to the officers and crew of the command the continuity of the authority vested in the commanding officer. This unique military ceremony represents a total transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability from one leader to the next.