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My Coast Guard
Commentary | Oct. 13, 2020

The Coast Guard recently establishes new base 

By Keisha Reynolds, MyCG Staff

 

Cmdr. Eric Cain, right, assumes command of Base Galveston from Capt. Jason Smith, left, commander, Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston, during Base Galveston’s establishment ceremony Sept. 29, 2020, in Galveston Texas. The ceremony was presided over by Rear Adm. Melvin W. Bouboulis, Director of Operational Logistics. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Dickinson)

Cmdr. Eric Cain, right, assumes command of Base Galveston from Capt. Jason Smith, left, commander, Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston, during Base Galveston’s establishment ceremony Sept. 29, 2020, in Galveston Texas. The ceremony was presided over by Rear Adm. Melvin W. Bouboulis, Director of Operational Logistics. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Dickinson)

Base Galveston will improve the delivery of mission support services in the western Louisiana and Texas region of the Eighth Coast Guard District by consolidating responsibility for mission support service delivery in one central location. 

The mission-support focused command reduces the span of control for Base New Orleans. Prior to establishing Base Galveston, Base New Orleans provided mission support for the entirety of the Eighth Coast Guard District, spanning seven sectors, the largest geographic area of responsibility of any Coast Guard base.
Rear Adm. Melvin W. Bouboulis, director of Operational Logistics, presided over the  ceremony Sept. 29 to disestablish Sector Field Office Galveston and formally establish Base Galveston in Galveston, Texas. 

    “The ceremony was about much more than founding the Coast Guard’s newest base, Bouboulis said. “More notably, it reflects the Coast Guard’s unwavering commitment to our families, operational partners, and the fine men and women that reside in Galveston,” 

Rear Adm. John P. Nadeau, commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, addresses an audience during the establishment ceremony for Base Galveston Sept. 29, 2020, in Galveston, Texas. The ceremony was presided over by Rear Adm. Melvin W. Bouboulis, Director of Operational Logistics. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Dickinson)

Rear Adm. John P. Nadeau, commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, addresses an audience during the establishment ceremony for Base Galveston Sept. 29, 2020, in Galveston, Texas. The ceremony was presided over by Rear Adm. Melvin W. Bouboulis, Director of Operational Logistics. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Dickinson)

Bouboulis explained, “Until now, this demand of time, attention and resources fell directly on operational commanders, pulling them away from the vital missions that should be garnering their full, undivided attention. Standing up Base Galveston will enhance both operations and support, allowing the operational commanders to solely focus on executing the Coast Guard’s diverse mission set.”  

Sectors Houston-Galveston and Corpus Christi will now have a direct link to mission support service delivery within Texas, freeing them to fully focus on efficient operations. However, Base Galveston’s role is far reaching and will also provide mission support services to other Coast Guard units throughout the region.

Base Galveston has 162 active-duty, reserve, and civilian employees providing support services to more than 1,900 Coast Guard personnel throughout the region, including two sectors, two air stations, 15 cutters, and 56 small boats spread across eight stations and five aids to navigation (ATON) teams. 

The base also hosts a Coast Guard Exchange, armory with small arms firing range, buoy yard and sector aids to navigation detachment.

A recording of the ceremony can be viewed on the Sector Houston-Galveston's Facebook page.