There’s a new admiral in town. On Tuesday, July 8, Rear Admiral Jeffrey Novak, who has been serving as military advisor to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, took command of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Southwest District 11 at a change-of-command ceremony at Freedom Park on Coast Guard Island in Alameda, according to a USCG news release.
Novak, who served as Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard Pacific Area in Alameda before he was appointed to Homeland Security, replaces Rear Admiral Joseph Buzzella as commander of the Coast Guard’s Southwest District. Buzzella held the post since July 2024.
The Southwest District encompasses California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, the coastal and offshore waters out more than a thousand miles, and the offshore waters of Mexico and Central America down to South America, according to the Coast Guard.
The District includes 43 units and employs more than 2,400 active duty, reserve, and civilian employees, the USCG news release stated. “These resources carry out search and rescue, homeland security, law enforcement, marine safety, and aids to navigation missions over 3.3 million square miles of water. In addition, more than 3,100 volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliary members assist in many Coast Guard mission areas, including boating safety and search and rescue.”
In addition to search and rescue roles, “Coast Guard and U.S. Navy assets under the tactical control of the district interdict illegal drugs and migrants that are attempted to be smuggled into the country,” the command said.
Alameda has always maintained a very special relationship with the Coast Guard, which was evident at this year’s 4th of July parade.
“We had an incredible time celebrating our nation’s independence, showcasing dazzling floats, and enjoying the festive spirit!” Coast Guard Base Alameda posted on its Facebook page.
Coast Guard members, or “Coasties,” as they are affectionately called in Alameda, participate in a number of volunteer activities in town, including serving as volunteers for the Alameda Food Bank (AFB). Three weeks ago, “our Coast Guard besties helped us move our old warehouse racks into our new building,” the Food Bank reported on Instagram, noting that “… the Coasties have always been ready to lend a hand at AFB.”
