RDML Andy Sugimoto currently serves as the Coast Guard’s Assistant Commandant for Intelligence. As the Coast Guard’s Chief of Intelligence, he leads the efforts of over 1,100 intelligence professionals who conduct the service’s intelligence programs, to include collection activities, analysis and production, geospatial intelligence, counterintelligence, cryptology and critical IT and security functions.
Prior to his arrival to Coast Guard headquarters, RDML Sugimoto served as the Chief of Staff of the Eighth Coast Guard District. Overseeing U.S. Coast Guard operations spanning 26 states including the Gulf coastline from Florida to Mexico and the adjacent offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico, including the Outer Continental Shelf, as well as the inland waterways of the Mississippi, Ohio, Missouri and Tennessee River systems.
His afloat assignments include: Commanding Officer of USCGC STRATTON homeported in Alameda, CA. STRATTON conducted operations in support of OP ARCTIC SHIELD north of Alaska and counter narcotics patrols in the Eastern Pacific. Other afloat assignments included serving as Commanding Officer, CGC ACUSHNET, Ketchikan, AK; and CGC TYBEE, San Diego, CA. RDML Sugimoto served as Executive Officer on CGC CHASE, San Diego, CA, CGC MONOMOY, Woods Hole, MA as well as Deck Watch Officer on CGC SHERMAN, Alameda, CA. He has served more than 12 years at sea and is a proud Cutterman.
Additional Staff and ashore assignments include: Chief of the Response Division at the First Coast Guard District, conducting operations from the Canadian border to Northern New Jersey including security and defense of New York City and Boston harbors. Chief, Incident Management Branch of the Ninth Coast Guard District, which spans the five Great Lakes, Saint Lawrence Seaway and parts of the surrounding states, including 1,500 miles of international border. He was responsible for safely prosecuting Search and Rescue cases and responding to all operational incidents which occur within the area of responsibility. He was also assigned as Staff Judge Advocate for the Ninth Coast Guard District, Cleveland OH; practiced Operational Law, Military Justice and Legal Assistance for the Maintenance and Logistics Command Pacific, Alameda, CA and stood watch as Command Duty Officer for the Eleventh Coast Guard District in Long Beach CA and the PACAREA Command Center in Alameda CA.
A native of California, RDML Sugimoto graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Government. He graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2002 and was conferred a Juris Doctorate.