U.S. Coast Guard photographs by Aux. David Lau/Capt. Sean O'Brien, commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, addresses Coast Guard members, friends and family, after assuming the duties and responsibilities of the commanding officer of Air Station Atlantic City during an official change of command ceremony, July 25, 2019.
ATLANTIC CITY - Members of Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City and the Coast Guard's 5th District held a military change of command ceremony at Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City in Egg Harbor Township Thursday, July 25.
During ceremony, presided over by Rear Adm. Keith Smith, Commander, 5th Coast Guard District, Capt. Sean O'Brien assumed command of Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City from Capt. Eric Gleason.
Capt. Sean O'Brien (right) assumes the duties and responsibilities as the commanding officer of Air Station Atlantic City, from Capt. Eric Gleason (left) in a ceremony presided over by Rear Adm. Keith Smith, Commander, 5th Coast Guard District (center) during the Air Station Atlantic City change of command ceremony, July 25, 2019.
O'Brien served a one year in the Maritime Infrastructure Protection Force Advisory Group and previously as the executive officer of Air Station Atlantic City.
O'Brien is an MH-65 helicopter pilot, flight examiner, rotary wing air intercept instructor and aircraft commander. He is a Coast Guard Academy graduate and holds a Master of Arts in National Security Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Rear Adm. Keith Smith, Commander of the 5th Coast Guard District, discusses the importance of the change of command ceremony tradition, during the Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City change of command ceremony, July 25, 2019.
O'Brien is the recipient of two Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Medals and three Coast Guard Commendation Medals. In 2009 he was recognized as the Coast Guard's Exceptional Aviator of the Year.
Gleason, who served as the Commanding Officer of Air Station Atlantic City for three years, will go on to serve in the 1st Coast Guard District Office of Planning and Force Readiness in Boston.
"I'm very grateful for the opportunity to return to Southern New Jersey and excited to lead Air Station Atlantic City through its many missions in our area of responsibility," O'Brien said. "I look forward to our continued excellence and support to the public and maritime communities."
Capt. Eric Gleason (far right) and Capt. Sean O'Brien (center-right), commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, conduct a personnel inspection as part of a time honored tradition during the change of command ceremony for Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, July 25, 2019.
Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City conducts a variety of missions such as search and rescue, law enforcement, emergency response, port security and rotary wing air intercept missions throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Washington D.C., and beyond.
Rear Adm. Keith Smith, Commander of the 5th Coast Guard District (right), Capt. Eric Gleason (center right), Capt. Sean O'Brien, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City (center left), and Lt. Cmdr. Eric Malmstrom, 5th District Chaplain, observe colors during a change of command ceremony at Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, July 25, 2019.
