Rear Adm. Stephen P. Metruck walks with his wife Peggy Duxbury following his change-of-command and retirement ceremony Friday, April 22, 2016. U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Auxiliarist Trey Clifton
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Rear Adm. Meredith L. Austin assumed command of the Coast Guard’s 5th District during a change-of-command ceremony Friday at the Nauticus in Norfolk.
Austin relieved Rear Adm. Stephen P. Metruck, who served as the 5th District’s commander since April 2014.
As commander of the 5th District, Austin will oversee operations in navigable waters from Long Beach, New Jersey, to the North Carolina/South Carolina border.
Austin reported to the 5th District following her most recent assignment as the deputy commander for Coast Guard Pacific Area where she was responsible for supporting missions by developing and maintaining the careers and well-being of Coast Guard personnel.
Admiral Paul F. Zukunft, the commandant of the Coast Guard, presided over the ceremony.
Following the ceremony Rear Adm. Metruck retired after serving more than 34 years in the Coast Guard.
