COUPEVILLE — Cmdr. Maximo Angeles assumed command of Station Search and Rescue Whidbey during a ceremony earlier this month.

Angeles’ assumption of command marks the creation of Station Search and Rescue Whidbey as a new unit under Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific. The unit previously was an ad hoc organization under the base command, part of Navy Region Northwest.

Angeles has assumed command of a unit of 54 sailors operating three MH-60 helicopters.

The unit’s primary mission is to provide search and rescue support for field carrier landing training at Ault Field and at Outlying Field — Coupeville.

The unit also provides search and rescue support and medical evacuation support to civilian agencies in the Pacific Northwest as part of the Department of Defense’s Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic program.

The unit has flown 23 rescue missions this year and has flown as far as Mount Hood in Oregon.

Angeles enlisted in the Navy as a submariner and reached the rank of petty officer first class before being selected for the Navy’s Seaman to Admiral-21 commissioning program.

Angeles was commissioned in 2007 and graduated from flight school at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida in 2009.

Angeles has served in Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12, completing two deployments aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and another aboard the USS George Washington (CVN 73.)

Angeles also served as a T-6B Texan II instructor pilot with Training Squadron 2 and aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) as the hangar officer, aircraft handling officer and mini boss.

Angeles returned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 in August 2019 and deployed aboard the amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76.).

Prior to assuming command of Station Search and Rescue, Angeles was as an action officer for J-5 Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate, Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon.