The CG 9th District has released this press release about the change of command for WLBB30 this Friday. CAPT John Little will turn over command to CDR Scott Smith.

ALong with several other CF members, I had the opportunity to attend the commissioning ceremony of the MACKINAW in June 2006. Since then I have had the good fortune to visit CAPT Little on a couple of occassions. I have said this before, but CAPT Little is one of the most outstanding officers I have ever met, and he will be missed here on the Great Lakes.

CAPT Little's new assignment will see him transfer to CG Headquarters.

Thanks for posting that, Dave.

I received an invitation from John to attend the Change of Command ceremony Friday morning, and surely wish I could be there.

The past three years have gone by quickly. I have a good bit of CAPT. Little's tour on the Mackinaw documented with photos and newspaper articles mostly from the Cheboygan paper.

I'm also excited that he received the promotion to Captain before leaving the Mackinaw. Much deserved!!

His DC assignment at Headquarters will bring him closer to home.

Judy

I was fortunate to be in Cheboygan, MI in June 2006 when the new Mackinaw and the original Mackinaw were both in port as the new Mackinaw was being commissioned. I was on a boat tour of the eastern lighthouses through Sheplers and Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Assoc (GLLKA). One of our tour guides had spent part of a winter on the original ship. She had great stories to tell.

I have great picture of the two ships in port. Quite a scene.

Doc, Here is a thread about the Commissioning / Decommissioning Ceremony

Our local CBS station www.9and10news.com will have news coverage on the Change of Command for the USCGC Mackinaw this evening.

I'm confused. What else is new Why does Capt Little's name sound familar? I looked in what I had and couldn't find anything. Was he in charge of the old Mac? Was he in charge of the new Mac when she hit the wall in MI? Or did he take command over from the Capt that hit the wall in MI?

Ok never mind he was the one that took over command after Mackinaw hit the wall. His name must be familar due to everything else I have read during ice breaking missions etc.

Bouyhunter, you are correct. He took command of the new Mackinaw three years ago in May, and this was after the first captain had been relieved of his command.

There is a lot of material posted here on the forums partly because Captain Little is a personal friend of mine and of Dave Hannum's. Quite a few of the WACKOS have met him and have been welcomed aboard and given a personal tour of the Mac.

More importantly, he has had a very successful tour on the Great Lakes (not his first) and has left a very possitive legacy.

Judy

Thanks for the feedback. I need to get back there to tour her. I was there in 94 and toured the old Mackinaw but haven't been on the new one. Those tours though don't take you far but at least you get on the ship.