Coast Guard Auxiliary welcomes new flotilla commander and staff
Tom previously served as Vice Flotilla Commander and was also the flotilla communications staff officer. As Commander, Tom will provide primary leadership and supervision to the flotilla with responsibility to ensure that it carries out the primary mission of increasing boating safety awareness while supporting local Coast Guard air and sea operations.
Tom previously served in the U.S. Navy and holds Coast Guard Auxiliary Boat Crew, Vessel Examiner, Instructor, and FEMA Incident Command System certifications. “This is an amazing flotilla with a rich history of serving the Outer Banks recreational boating community, and our local U.S. Coast Guard Gold Team partners,” said Mattingly. “Jack did an outstanding job leading the flotilla over the past year and our plan is definitely to build on that success by increasing our outreach activities, supporting the Coast Guard, and expanding on-the-water time with our newly refurbished utility boat – definitely be looking for us, we’ll be out there!”
Tim Baker, who led the flotilla to National Flotilla of the Year in 2019, will serve as Vice Flotilla Commander, and in roles as Assistant District Staff Officer for Navigation Services (Aids to Navigation), and Flotilla Staff Officer for Member Training. “It has been an honor to serve in Flotilla 16-07,” said Baker. “The flotilla excelled at every mission we were tasked with. I could not be more proud of the impact the members have had in carrying out our objectives. I am thrilled to work with Tom whom I have known for many years. I know he will lead this talented crew to future success.”
Other new Flotilla 16-07 staff officers include Courtney Allen, FSO-Communications Services, Kate Wilkins, FSO-Diversity, Alex Molnar, FSO-Materials, Steve Kreisher, FSO-Navigation Systems, Milo Hyde, FSO-Operations, Don Hawkinson, FSO-Publications, David Lorenz, FSO-Public Education, Mike Sallade, FSO-Partner Visitation and Rob Wilkins, FSO-Secretary of Records.
The change-of-command ceremony is a historic military tradition representing the formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commanding officer to another. The event reinforces the continuity of command and provides an opportunity to recognize the flotilla’s accomplishments.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information about a boating course near you or to learn more about water safety or becoming one of America’s Volunteer Lifesavers, please visit our website at a0541607.wow.uscgaux.info/ or www.cgaux.org.
