New Coast Guard commander to lead Lake Charles unit

LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana — The media is invited to Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles' change-of-command ceremony at the Lake Charles Civic Center, Thursday at 10 a.m.

Lt. Cmdr. Robert C. Compher, who took command of Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles in 2009, will be relieved of his duties and responsibilities by Cmdr. Will E. Watson. Watson has served as executive officer at Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Texas City, Texas, since 2009.

Upon relief of command, Compher will transfer to the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

With a current staffing of 62 active and 6 reserve members, the MSU provides inspection & investigation, pollution response and waterways management services to a diverse group of Southwest Louisiana waterway users.

The change of command ceremony is a time-honored naval tradition, which formally acknowledges the transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual to another.

The Coast Guard is a multi-mission, maritime, military service and is part of the Department of Homeland Security. It is unique among federal agencies in that it is at all times an armed service, while also a humanitarian, regulatory, law enforcement, environmental and emergency management agency.

Media interested in attending or desiring to set up interviews with the commanding officers should contact Ensign A. J. Hunt at (337) 491-7877.

Who: Cmdr. Will E. Watson will relieve Lt. Cmdr. Robert C. Compher as commander of Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles.

What: Change of Command ceremony

When: 10 a.m., Thursday, June 28, 2010