Coast Guard Capt. Michael Trimpert assumed command of Sector North Bend from Capt. Mark Reynolds during a ceremony held at the Coast Guard base in North Bend, Friday, August 8. Rear Adm. Richard T. Gromlich, commander of the 13th Coast Guard District, presided over the ceremony. Trimpert transferred from the U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, where he was responsible for coordinating Department of Defense support of U.S. interagency and partner nation efforts against illicit trafficking and transnational organized crime. He has been a career pilot for more than 20 years, including serving as a Coast Guard pilot instructor and flight examiner for both the MH-60 Jayhawk and MH-65 Dolphin helicopters. After serving for 26 years, Reynolds is retiring from the Coast Guard. Reynolds logged more than 5,300 flight hours during his career, having piloted HH-3F Pelican, CH-3E Sea King, Jayhawk and Dolphin helicopters. His operational recognitions include the Naval Helicopter Association Western Region search and rescue aircrew of the year and a Coast Guard Foundation Award. The change of command is a time-honored tradition. Conducted before the assembled unit, this formal military ritual defines the precise instant of transfer of authority, and represents a transfer of total responsibility, authority and accountability from on individual to another. The formal change of command ceremony symbolizes to the maritime community and to command personnel that readiness, service and mission execution will continue seamlessly throughout the command transition.
