KEY WEST, Fla. – A change-of-command ceremony is scheduled for the commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk, at 6 p.m. Friday at Sector Key West, Pier Delta Two South.
Coast Guard Cmdr. Jose A. Nieves, Mohawk’s commanding officer, will relinquish command to Cmdr. Robert Hendrickson during a time-honored military tradition that formally transfers command.
The strength and success of today’s Coast Guard stems in large measure from the observance of customs and traditions, each founded on need, each contributing its share to stability, mission effectiveness, and smooth transfer of authority. This simple ceremony, passing authority to another officer, reflects the dedication of men and women serving their nation proudly.
Hendrickson, the current executive officer aboard Coast Guard Cutter Dallas, is continuing an already remarkable 28-year career. His service began in 1981 at the recruiting office in Cleveland, and after 10 years of enlisted service, he was selected to attend Coast Guard Officer Candidate School in Yorktown, Va.
Nieves, who has been in command since August 2007, will be assigned to the Executive Office of the President in Washington, D.C.
In the past two years and 40,000 miles of steaming, the Mohawk crew has seized more than $29 million in cocaine as well as interdicting more than 300 undocumented migrants. Mohawk recently returned to Key West after a three-month dry-docking where the crew and contractors completed more than $2 million in necessary repairs.
The cutter Mohawk is a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Key West.
