Biden makes Adm. Linda Fagan the first woman to lead a military department as Coast Guard commander and says challenges include addressing climate change and “overfishing.”
- President Joe Biden proclaimed “it’s about time” while attending the US Coast Guard change of command ceremony on Wednesday
- There he witnessed the promotion of Adm. Linda Fagan as the department’s new commander – making her the first female service chief in the armed forces
- “The secretary of defense, when he sent me the name, I was like, ‘Why the hell did it take you so long?'” Biden said. “Congratulations,” he offered Fagan
President Joe Biden proclaimed “it’s about time” as he attended the U.S. Coast Guard change of command ceremony on Wednesday, and Adm. Promoted Linda Fagan as the department’s new commander – making her the first female service chief in the armed forces.
“Today we are witnessing a longstanding tradition in the United States Coast Guard — a change of command when a new admiral assumes leadership of our nation’s oldest continuous naval service,” Biden said. “It’s both a connection to our beginnings as a nation and a new milestone in our history.
Using his trademarks, the President added that “this is a big deal”.
“The secretary of defense, when he sent me the name, I was like, ‘Why the hell did it take you so long?'” Biden said. “Congratulations,” he offered Fagan.
In a brief address, Biden did not mention Russia’s war with Ukraine, but said, “The choices the world makes today will determine the direction of the world in the 21st century.”
The President said his administration would “call the Coast Guard more frequently” to address climate change threats as Wednesday marked the first day of the hurricane season, which is expected to be “the seventh straight year of above-average hurricane activity in the Atlantic.”
Biden also called the Coast Guard an “essential element” of his administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy and said he plans to work to “take over illegal and unreported and unregulated fisheries,” suggesting China is responsible.
President Joe Biden (right) shakes hands with Admiral Linda Fagan (left) at her change of command ceremony Wednesday in Washington
Admiral Linda Fagan arrives for the US Coast Guard change of command ceremony at USCG Headquarters in Washington, DC on Wednesday
Admiral Linda Fagan (left), President Joe Biden (center) and Admiral Karl Schultz (right) attend the US Coast Guard surrender ceremony at USCG Headquarters on Wednesday
But he dedicated most of his speech to Fagan as a premiere.
“Admiral Fagan’s groundbreaking career shows young people entering the service, we mean what we say: There are no doors – no doors – that are closed to women,” Biden said to around 2,000 cheering guests at Coast Guard headquarters .
Attendees included service chiefs from other military branches and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
The president added, “This is what an admiral and chief of service in the US Armed Forces looks like,” and thanked Fagan for “everything you’ve done throughout your career to open the doors of opportunity a little bit wider” to “make possible.” “. those who follow you a way through.’
“Now we must continue to work to ensure that Admiral Fagan is the first, but not the only one,” Biden said. “We need to see more women at the highest levels of leadership in the Coast Guard and across all services.”
Fagan replaces Admiral Karl Schultz.
Biden nominated Fagan for the post in April.
“Your leadership and integrity are second to none,” he tweeted at the time.
Her nomination passed the Senate unopposed in mid-May and was praised by members of both parties.
The Military Times reported that her service includes leadership roles on all seven continents.