Cmdr. Mark E. Hiigel poses with Rear Adm. Mark E. Butt, commander, Coast Guard 13th District, and Capt. Andrew W. Eriks during a change-of-command ceremony at Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles, Washington, July 15, 2016. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ali Flockerzi.)
PORT ANGELES, Wash. — Cmdr. Mark E. Hiigel assumed command of Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles during a change-of-command ceremony Friday morning.
At a ceremony presided over by Rear Adm. Mark E. Butt, commander, Coast Guard 13th District, Cmdr. Hiigel relieved Capt. Andrew W. Eriks, and became the 41st commanding officer of Air Station/SFO Port Angeles, July 2, 2014.
As the new commander, Hiigel will be responsible for overseeing operational responsibilities of the Air Station including conducting Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement/Homeland Security and Resource Protection activities in an area that includes the Strait of Juan De Fuca and the north western coast of Washington around the Olympic Peninsula to the mouth of Puget Sound. The unit also provides logistical support to Sector Puget Sound units located on the Olympic and Quimper Peninsulas and the northwest coast of Washington.
“I wanted to thank the crew for all the hard work and effort they put into the ceremony,” said Hiigel. “I’d also like to convey to our federal, local and state agencies that we appreciate the things they’ve completed in the past and we look forward to expanding upon our relationship in the future.”
Hiigel reported to the air station following his most recent assignment as the response officer at Air Station North Bend, Oregon, during the transition from Group North Bend to Sector North Bend. In 2015, he fleeted up as the deputy commander of Sector North Bend.
Eriks’ next assignment is at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he will serve as the Program Manager for the Coast Guard’s Financial Management Service Improvement Initiative.
“This air station is truly special, as we have a diverse set of missions and the support we provide across Sector Puget Sound’s western area of responsibility is noteworthy,” said Eriks. “My crew performed with distinction and it was an honor and privilege to serve as their commanding officer. Semper Paratus!”
