Rear Adm. Will Watson Takes Command Of Heartland District
Rear Adm. Will Watson relieved Rear Adm. David Barata August 1 to become the new commander of the Coast Guard’s Heartland District.
The ceremony took place at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, with Vice Adm. Nathan Moore, commander of the Coast Guard’s Atlantic Area, presiding.
The Coast Guard’s Heartland District encompasses 26 states, the inland river systems and coastal and offshore waters along the Gulf Coast. Coast Guard members carry out search and rescue, homeland security, law enforcemetn, marine safety, aids to navigation and creational boater safety missions at more than 140 units within the district.
Moore said the district is the largest, most operationally diverse and geographically dispersed of the Coast Guard districts and pointed out some of its accomplishments under Barata’s command, which began in June 2023.
The district has had 1,528 response caes in the past two years, including 418 national response center reports, he said. It responded to 298 pollution cases, 121 security incidents and 936 search and rescue cases, which resulted in 1,587 lives saved or assisted.
Additionally, he said, the district opened 247 marine safety casualty investigations and conducted 2,888 vessel boardings, including 42 high interest vessel security boardings. It conducted 1,407 vessel and facility inspections.
“If you roll all of that together, that’s what makes this Maritime Transportation System more efficient, safe and reliable for everyone in this country and everyone who conducts business in the maritime environment,” Moore said.
Moore said the Coast Guard is on a course of unprecedented change.
“We’re charting a new course for our service, highlighted by what is called Force Design 2028, and as we progress our ability to control, secure and defend the nation’s borders from maritime threats, to protect the marine transportation system and ensure the safety of those in peril at sea, it will be enhanced at a greater scale than any of us have ever witnessed before, and our plant here is at the leading edge of this momentous title shift within our service.”
“So seize this opportunity to renew our service and ensure that we’re ready here in the heartland to meet the demands of tomorrow,” he added.
Moore presented Barata with an award for outstanding meritorious service, saying “Thank you for your perseverence, your commitment and dedication.”
The award citation mentioned that Barata had responded to a historic five Category 3 and 4 hurricanes that caused more than $124 billion in damage, record-setting inland high- and low-water events and multiple incidents of national response, including responding to the New Year’s Day terror attack in New Orleans, when a pickup driver intentionally drove into a crowd of people, killing at least 10 and injuring dozens.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry also awarded Barata with a state commendation, although he was not able to be in attendance. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell presented him with an award from the city.
Barata is transitioning into a position at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. as deputy commandant for operations, policy and intelligence. He framed the day as a celebration of the men and women who make up the Heartland District, their partners and the work they do and said he offered his sincere appreciation.
Barata said that the district is the “emergency management capital of the world,” noting the upcoming 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and 15th anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and oil spill, more recent pipeline and uncontrolled wellhead spills and the recent flooding in Texas.
“Our folks are ready for it, and they still continue the normal work that they do,” he said. He later added, “All I can do is say thank you to our crews.”
Moore welcomed Watson, who was previously the director of governmental and public affairs at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He began his career in New Orleans at what was then Marine Safety Office New Orleans in 1997.
“You’ve got big shoes to fill, clearly, but you are no stranger to command, and you are no stranger to this area,” Moore said. “You have proven your ability to lead, and you are the right person for the job.”
He charged Watson with supporting members and their families, maintaining and sustaining safe operations, continually refining professionalism and providing service and working with others to promote new ideas on how to get business done while also protecting and supporting those under his command.
Featured image caption: Rear Adm. Will Watson (left), Vice Adm. Nathan Moore (center) and Rear Adm. David Barata, pictured at the August 1 change of command ceremony for the U.S. Coast Guard’s Heartland District. Watson relieved Barata to become the district’s new commander. (Photo coutesy of the U.S. Coast Guard)
