The Coast Guard announced the formal establishment of Coast Guard Base Astoria on Oct. 26, marking the culmination of three years of effort.

The base, co-located with Coast Guard Air Station Astoria, will provide logistics and other support functions for Coast Guard units around the region, according to Cmdr. Todd Wimmer, commanding officer of the base.

“It will allow us to dedicate mission support functions to better support our operational units,” Wimmer said in an email. “Personnel at Base Astoria will consist of operational logistics and mission support professionals that will provide support to our assets, facilities, personnel and their families for all units across the southern (District 13) area of responsibility.”

A color guard team stands during an establishment ceremony in Warrenton, Oregon, to formally establish Coast Guard Base Astoria Oct. 26, 2022. (Petty Officer 1st Class Travis Magee / USCG)

Sailors and residents of the region should not expect to see substantial changes in coverage or quality of service from the Coast Guard, Wimmer said.

“Mariners should expect to see the same dedicated support from our Coast Guard operational units,” Wimmer said. “Extensive work supporting this transition has been carefully planned over the past three years to ensure seamless transition of support functions to our Coast Guard operational units.”

Rear Adm. Jon Hickey, the Coast Guard’s director of operational logistics, was present for the formal ceremony recognizing the establishment of the base.

Petty Officer 1st Class Travis Magee / USCG Rear Adm. Jon Hickey, the Director of Operational Logistics, salutes during an establishment ceremony in Warrenton, Oregon, to formally establish Coast Guard Base Astoria Oct. 26.

Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.