Vice Adm. Andrew J. Tiongson is the new commander of U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area Command, taking over for Vice Adm. Michael F. McAllister in leading the 13,000 members of Coast Guard Pacific Area through various missions and activities in the Arctic, the Antarctic, the Eastern and Western Pacific and Oceania.
The change of command ceremony was held July 8 on Coast Guard Base Alameda in Northern California.
During the previous two years, Tiongson was the U.S. Southern Command director of operations overseeing planning and execution of activities related to the command’s area of responsibility, which included 27 democratic nations in Central and South America, according to USCG.
“Today is a special day where we applaud Vice Adm. McAllister on his service to the nation, especially this last year as he inspired and led the men and women of the Pacific Area command,” Tiongson said. “I am committed to the members of the Pacific Area team and am excited to execute Coast Guard missions throughout the region, along with our partner agencies, while adhering to the principles of strategic leadership, proficiency and teamwork.”
Tiongson has spent his career on five Coast Guard cutters and one U.S. Navy vessel, as well as various staff positions including budget coordinator and program reviewer and the office chief in the Office of Budget and Programs.
He received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy; he also has two master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and environmental and energy management from George Washington University, according to the USCG.
