Date: June 24, 2008

Contact: SECTOR San Diego, CA
(619) 278-7020, phone
 

COAST GUARD SECTOR SAN DIEGO CHANGES COMMAND

Strangfeld is transferring to the Department of Homeland Security's Domestic Nuclear Detection Office in Washington D.C. as the Deputy Assistant Director for Maritime Missions.

Strangfeld served as the commander of the Sector from June 2005, leading more than 320 active duty Coast Guard men and women, 142 reservists, 13 civilians and 550 volunteer auxiliarists in multi-mission operations.

Farris is reporting from Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he was Chief of the Aviation Safety Division and worked closely with the Coast Guard's Chief of Aviation Operations and Chief of Aeronautical Engineering in the design, development, implementation and oversight of all aviation programs. Farris is the 32nd commander of the San Diego Coast Guard base since its establishment in 1937.

He holds a bachelor of science in liberal studies from Excelsior College and an associate of science in law enforcement from the University of Cincinnati. 

Farris has served in both the U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard, logging more than 6,600 hours of flight time in six types of aircraft.  In addition to his aviation background, Farris has more than seven years of non-aviation specific department head experience, including work in maritime security planning, facilities engineering and administration. 

During his years of service, Farris has earned a Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, a Coast Guard Commendation Medal with two gold stars, an Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf, a Coast Guard Achievement Medal with gold star, an Army Achievement Medal, and a Military Outstanding Volunteer award.