Capt. Janet D. Espino-Young to become new sector commander at Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville

MAYPORT — Captain Janet D. Espino-Young is scheduled to relieve Captain Mark R. Vlaun as the sector commander of Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville on Thursday during a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Station Mayport.

Vlaun will retire after 28 years of service.

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Commander of Coast Guard Seventh District Rear Admiral Brendan C. McPherson will preside over the ceremony, which takes place at 10 a.m. at the Ocean Breeze Conference Center.

Espino-Young reports to Sector Jacksonville from Coast Guard District Seven, where she served as the prevention division chief until 2022.

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Sector Jacksonville was established on Aug. 16, 2005, from the reorganization and consolidation of Group Mayport and Base Mayport. Sector Jacksonville’s area of responsibility encompasses 40,000 square miles of ocean and inland waterways. It is responsible for all Coast Guard mission programs in the Jacksonville Captain of the Port Zone, including maritime law enforcement, maritime response, maritime prevention, marine transportation systems management, maritime security operations and defense operations.

The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored tradition. It represents a total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual to another. The event ensures the continuity of leadership and operations within a sector’s area of responsibility.

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