The 11th Coast Guard District’s incoming commander Rear Adm. Todd Sokalzuk shakes hands with outgoing district commander, Rear Adm. Joseph Servidio during a change-of-command ceremony held at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif., Thursday, July 7, 2016. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Loumania Stewart
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Rear Adm. Todd A. Sokalzuk assumed command of the 11th Coast Guard District from Rear Adm. Joseph A. Servidio during a change-of-command ceremony Thursday at Coast Guard Island.
As commander of the 11th District, Sokalzuk will oversee Coast Guard operations in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah, coastal and offshore operations from the California-Oregon border to the U.S.-Mexico border and counter-smuggling law enforcement operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of Central and South America. He will also direct maritime homeland security operations, port safety and security, environmental protection, commercial and recreational vessel safety and maritime law enforcement throughout the district.
During the past two years, Coast Guard men and women operating in the 11th Coast Guard District interdicted more than 517 narcotic traffickers, resulting in the confiscation of more than 117 metric tons of illegal drugs valued at more than $3.8 billion, oversaw the national level response efforts to the Refugio Oil Spill, which was the largest oil spill in California in 25 years and executed 3,360 search-and-rescue cases saving 629 lives and preserving $12.63 million in property.
Servidio served as the district’s commander since July 2014 and will be reporting to Coast Guard Atlantic Area as the deputy commander. He received the Legion of Merit award during Thursday’s ceremony for his service as the 11th District Commander.
Sokalzuk was previously assigned to Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington D.C. as the Coast Guard assistant commandant for resources and chief financial officer.
