Coast Guard Cutter to Welcome New Commanding Officer

The Vigorous, homeported in Cape May N.J., will welcome a new commanding officer during an onboard change-of-command ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday in Cape May. Cmdr. Michael C. Husak from Operations Policy Directorate at Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C. will relieve Capt. David L. Hill, who will continue his career at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Vice Adm. James D. Hull, Coast Guard Atlantic Area commander and Commander, Maritime Defense Zone Atlantic will preside. Vice Adm. Thad Allen, Coast Guard Chief of Staff, will be a guest of honor. Husak is a native of Syracuse, N.Y. He is a 1984 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. He holds a degree in Oceanography and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management awarded by the University of Phoenix. Husak has previously held command of the cutters Cape Higgon and Sundew and recently completed an assignment as the Short-Range Aids-to-Navigation and Marine Information Branch Chief in the headquarters operations policy directorate where he oversaw the Coast Guard's $1-billion dollar aids-to-navigation mission area. Husak’s personal awards include the Silver Life Saving Medal, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals with "Operational" device, one Coast Guard Achievement Medal with "Operational" device, and several other decorations. Hill, a native of Columbus, Ohio, assumed command of the Vigorous in July 2001 after a two-year tour of duty as Executive Officer of the Cutter Dallas in Charleston, S.C. Hill earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and earned his commission as an Ensign at the Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., in 1981. He is married to the former Claire McCann of Dover, Del.