KODIAK, Alaska – Coast Guard Communications Station Kodiak will hold a change of command ceremony Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in the Golden Anchor on Coast Guard base Kodiak where Lt. Cmdr. Peter R. Van Ness will relieve Lt. Cmdr. Michael F. Nasitka as commanding officer in a formal ceremony.
Nasitka commanded COMMSTA Kodiak, the Coast Guard’s only remaining operator manned communication station, since July 7, 2006. Nasitka’s next assignment will be as the executive officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Thetis, a 270-foot medium endurance cutter stationed in Key West, Fla.
Van Ness is arriving from Washington, D.C., where he served as chief of current operations acting as Director of the White House Communication Agency’s Operation Center. His prior career assignments include Coast Guard Cutter Bainbridge Island, Cutter Baranof, Coast Guard’s Telecommunication and Information Systems Command in Alexandria, Va., Cutter Staten Island and Cutter Northland.
After graduating in January 2001 with a master’s of science in information systems and computer engineering, Van Ness was assigned as the project officer in TISCOM’s radio systems division. During this time he led a more than $10 million project to improve and expand data connectivity for Coast Guard cutters. In 2004 Van Ness assumed command of the Cutter Baranof in Bahrain and completed 14 patrols in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2005 Van Ness was selected to serve at the White House Communications Agency where he directed all aspects of communications support for worldwide presidential travel.
Van Ness’s military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals, the Presidential Service Badge and numerous unit and service awards.
Van Ness is married to the former Christine Martin of Pylesville, Md. They have two daughters, Anna and Lillian.
