Security Levels
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Commanding Officer
CDR William Carter
CDR Carter graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Science, and holds a Master of Science in Public Health, Environmental Sciences and Engineering degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 2000.
He served as a Deck Watch Officer and acting Operations Officer onboard the CGC DECISIVE, St. Petersburg, FL from 1993-1995. From 1995-1998, CDR Carter served at Marine Safety Office Miami where he earned marine safety qualifications in pollution response and investigations.
CDR Carter served as the MLC Atlantic Environmental Health and Safety Field Operations Section Chief from 2000-2003. During this tour, CDR Carter deployed as an Industrial Hygienist and Safety Officer to NYC (Ground Zero) and Washington, DC following the September and October 2001 terrorist attacks.
From 2003 to 2006, CDR Carter served as Executive Officer, Pacific Strike Team where he earned an Incident Commander Type II ICS qualification and served as the Deputy Incident Commander for the 8.4 million gallon post Hurricane Katrina oil spills.
CDR Carter transferred to Coast Guard Headquarters, office of Marine Safety and Environmental Protection (G-MOR) in 2006 for 4 months before transferring to the Deployable Operations Group Commissioning Cell as Chief of Operations.
CDR Carter permanently transferred to the DOG as a plank owner from 2007 to 2010. During this tour, he held various positions including MSRT Force Manager and Chief, Domestic Operations where he supervised 12 MSSTs and assisted with the strategic planning and operational support to the National Strike Force.
Starting in 2010, CDR Carter served as Commanding Officer, Pacific Strike Team where he earned an Incident Commander Type I ICS qualification and served as the Deputy Incident Commander, Incident Commander, and Federal On Scene Coordinator (FOSC) representative for the largest oil spill in United States history, the 206 million gallon Deepwater Horizon spill.
CDR Carter is a native of Fairfax, VA and is the son of a U.S. Navy WWII combat veteran William and Mrs. Mercedes Carter. He is married to the former Tracy Scirpo of Agawam, MA and has three children; Thomas (12), Elizabeth (10), and Joseph (1).
CDR Carter’s personal awards include three Meritorious Service Medals, four Coast Guard Commendation Medals with “O” device, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals with “O” device, and three Commandant’s Letters of Commendation with “O” device and others.
Executive Officer
LCDR Norm Witt
Lieutenant Commander Norm Witt is currently serving as the Executive Officer at the National Strike Force’s Pacific Strike Team, a national asset which responds to emergency incidents involving the release of hazardous materials, discharges of oil, natural disasters, and weapons of mass destruction events. One of three USCG special teams, the Pacific Strike Team works for USCG and Environmental Protection Agency Federal On-Scene Coordinators in supporting their authorities under the National Contingency Plan.
Prior to his most recent tour at Officer Personnel Management, LCDR Witt worked for 8 years in the Marine Safety field, serving tours at Sector Jacksonville and Marine Safety Office Morgan City. After his commissioning at USCG OCS in 1999, LCDR Witt served as a Deck Watch Officer aboard CGC NORTHLAND. Prior to his USCG career, LCDR Witt served in the US Army and was stationed with the 82d Airborne Division.
LCDR Witt holds a B.S. in Criminology from the University of Tampa. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, Army Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and two Commandant’s Letters of Commendation.
He is married to Theresa Nguyen-Witt, from Savannah, GA. They have three children: McKayla (12), Jamison (10), and Kinsley (2).
Command Chief
MSTC Gagnon
Chief Gagnon was born in Glendale, CA to Mr. and Mrs. James and Linda Grady, a youth pastor and an elementary school librarian. She is married to Eric Gagnon and has a brother, James, as well as a sister, Michelle.
Her family moved from California to Edmonton, AB, Canada where she attended 1st and 2nd grade. Her family then moved to Calgary, AB where she graduated high school with honors in 1999. Her vocational pursuits include Emergency Medical Technician, commercial scuba diver, American/Canadian Red Cross First Aid/CPR instructor, Royal Lifesaving and AED instructor and Pool Operator Level One and Two.
She enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and attended boot camp in September of 2002 where she received the award of Honor Graduate. At her first assignment with ISC Kodiak, she was assigned to work for Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) at Tsunami Lanes bowling alley. In the spring of 2004, she attended Marine Science Technician School in Yorktown, VA where she graduated with honors. She promoted to MST3 and was assigned to CG Sector Guam in the Prevention Department. In 2006, Chief Gagnon left for Seattle WA where she was stationed at MSST Seattle (91101) in the waterside division. She advanced to MST2, qualified as Boarding Officer Ashore and Coxswain before transferring in 2009 for the Pacific Strike Team as an MST1. Chief Gagnon is currently the Chemical Shop Chief and Command Chief for the Pacific Strike Team.
Chief Gagnon’s military awards include the CG Commendation Medal, CG Achievement Medal, Letter of Commendation ribbon, National Defense Service ribbon, Global War on Terrorism ribbon, Honor Graduate ribbon, and Good Conduct Medal. She was the Sailor of the Quarter for SECTOR GUAM for the 2nd quarter in 2005 and also Sailor of the Year for SECTOR GUAM for 2005. She was Sailor of the Year for MSST Seattle in 2008 and was Enlisted Person of the Year for the CG in 2009. She has an Associate’s Degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
“The World’s Best Responders: Any Time, Any Place, Any Hazard.”
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