PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – A change of command ceremony is scheduled for the Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant at Coast Guard Station Port Canaveral at 10 a.m., Wedensday.
Commander James Estramonte will relieve Cmdr. Brian Fiedler during a time-honored military tradition to formally transfer command.
Fiedler, prior to serving as the commanding officer of the Vigilant, was the Coast Guard liaison officer at Afloat Training Group Pacific in San Diego, Calif., where he was responsible for the administration of the Coast Guard training and readiness programs for the Pacific Area major cutter fleet as well as the Director of the Navy Topside Warfare Department.
Fielder’s next assignment is to serve as the targeting chief at the Joint Interagency Task Force South in Key West, Fla.
Estramonte reports to the Vigilant from Honolulu where he served the executive officer aboard the 378-foot Coast Guard Cutter Rush.
During Fiedler’s tour, the 210-foot Reliance Class Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant seized 1,815 pounds of cocaine and 2,400 pounds of marijuana worth a total of $28.1 million. Apprehended 39 narcotic traffickers, interdicted 37 Cuban and 269 Haitian migrants while ensuring safe care and repatriation. Vigilant crew also earned the Operational Readiness Award in June, 2010 after successfully completing the Tailored Ships Training Availability in Mayport, Fla.,
