Jeh Charles Johnson, Secretary of Homeland Security, announced on February 28th that Paul F. Zukunft has been nominated by President Obama to be the 25th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. His nomination requires Senate confirmation.
Johnson said last Friday, "I am proud to announce President Obama's intent to nominate Vice Admiral Paul F. Zukunft as the 25th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. Since I became Secretary, I have had the opportunity to get to know Vice Admiral Zukunft, and if confirmed he will be a great leader for the future of the Coast Guard. As a 37 year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, he has demonstrated this leadership while serving in a number of different capacities, including coordinating federal response to the Deepwater Horizon Spill. During the response, Vice Admiral Zukunft directed more than 47,000 responders, 6,500 vessels and 120 aircraft as the Coast Guard worked to respond to and recover from the largest oil spill in U.S. history. Vice Admiral Zukunft currently commands U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area, and is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and holds advanced degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and Webster University. If confirmed as Commandant, Vice Admiral Zukunft will follow another great leader - Admiral Robert Papp, Jr. I thank Admiral Papp for his years of service to the U.S. Coast Guard, to the Department of Homeland Security, and to this Nation, and I look forward to seeing Vice Admiral Zukunft continue his great work."
Coast Guard Commandant ADM Bob Papp said, "On behalf of the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard, I heartily congratulate Vice Admiral Paul Zukunft on his nomination to serve as the 25th Commandant. He is an outstanding selection to serve the nation as the next leader of the greatest Coast Guard in the world. Paul and his wife Fran are eager to advocate for and represent all members of our Coast Guard family."
The Coast Guard's Change of Command ceremony is scheduled for 30 May in Washington, DC.