Troubling news Monday from the U.S. Coast Guard.
It seems Capt. Mark Hamilton, commander of the Coast Guard's Sector Anchorage, has been relieved of duty amid "alleged misconduct," the nature of which wasn't disclosed.
For what it's worth, I've worked a lot with this officer in my news coverage and always found him to be very professional.
Commanding Sector Anchorage, by the way, is no small responsibility.
It's the largest Coast Guard sector in the nation, covering Cook Inlet, Kodiak Island, the Aleutian Islands, the Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean.
Here's the press release:
U.S. Coast Guard, 17th District
May 11, 2009
Anchorage Coast Guard commander relieved
JUNEAU, Alaska — Rear Adm. Arthur E. Brooks, commander, 17th Coast Guard District, temporarily relieved Capt. H. Mark Hamilton Monday from his duties as commander, Coast Guard Sector Anchorage, citing alleged misconduct and loss of confidence in the officer's ability to command.
Pending the results of an investigation, Rear Adm. Brooks may recommend that Capt. Hamilton resume command or be permanently relieved. Final determination regarding a permanent removal or resumption of command is made by the commandant of the Coast Guard in Washington, D.C.
Capt. John S. Kenyon, assigned as the 17th District chief of prevention, has assumed temporary command of Sector Anchorage.
Capt. Hamilton has been temporarily reassigned to the 17th Coast Guard District staff.
I have to say the same. I have worked with Mark some years ago and he was a professional and a leader. It was indeed a pleasure. If he does have to leave the Coast Guard the service will have lost one of their finest officers.
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