Coast Guard Rear Adm. John ‘Jay’ Vann takes command of 5th District

June 28, 2024 | Local News

From left, Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath, Vice Adm. Nathan Moore, commander of Coast Guard Atlantic Area, and Rear Adm. John “Jay” Vann pose Wednesday during the 5th District change-of-command ceremony at Coast Guard Base Portsmouth, Virginia. Photo: Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan L. Noel

Rear Adm. John “Jay” Vann assumed the duties and responsibilities of the 5th Coast Guard District from Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath Wednesday at Coast Guard Base Portsmouth.

Vice Adm. Nathan Moore, commander of Coast Guard Atlantic Area, presided over the ceremony, the Coast Guard announced.

Vann, as 5th District commander, will serve as the operational commander for all Coast Guard missions from the North Carolina-South Carolina border to New Jersey, encompassing nearly 5,600 Coast Guard active duty, Reserve, and civilian personnel and spanning 1.4 million square miles of oceans, bays, and rivers.

The 5th District also includes several mid-Atlantic ports, the largest U.S. Naval base in the world, and the Capital region.

Prior to assuming command of the 5th District, Vann most recently served as the commander of Coast Guard Cyber Command, in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for conducting cyberspace operations in support of Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Defense mission objectives.

“We will continue to put people first, develop care for, and respect our team and families to ensure they’re ready,” said Vann. “We’ll focus on preparation by leveraging your competence and optimizing our resources to ensure mission readiness, then manage risk and exercise leadership to underwrite mission success.”

Gilreath served as the 5th District commander since 2022 and oversaw Coast Guard response operations throughout the region, including response efforts to oil spills, search and rescue cases and numerous critical marine transportation issues. He will go on to assume the role of Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Capabilities which he will be responsible for identifying and providing capabilities, competencies, and capacity along with service-wide policy for the staffing, training, equipping, and employing Coast Guard forces to meet mission requirements.

“I couldn’t be more proud of you all and the work you have all done here in the Fifth District,” said Gilreath. “The Fifth District is the engine that propels the Coast Guard.