PORT ANGELES — Capt. Mark D’Andrea officially assumes command of Coast Guard Group/Air Station Port Angeles today, succeeding Capt. Bill Peterson.
D’Andrea, 44, former executive officer of Air Station Clearwater, Fla., will become the 36th commanding officer of the Port Angeles base and its operations from Neah Bay and LaPush to Port Townsend to a cutter based in Bellingham.
Peterson, 49, has been the commander for three years.
He is going to Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C., to head the service’s Office of Aviation Forces.
Today’s change of command will be marked by a ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Ediz Hook base.
“It’s bittersweet to be leaving,” Peterson said in an interview last week.
“I know (the group) is going to be in good hands.”