Allen Relieves Collins as Coast Guard Commandant

WASHINGTON – President George W. Bush presided over a change-of-command ceremony today at Fort Lesley J. McNair during which Adm. Thad W. Allen became the Coast Guard's 23rd commandant, relieving Adm. Thomas H. Collins, who is retiring after 38 years of service.

Allen, who served as the service’s chief of staff before his promotion, garnered national attention as the principal federal official for Hurricane Katrina response and recovery activities in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.