Retiring commander Capt. Lance O. Benton, left, handed over command of Air Station North Bend to Capt. Scott A. Kitchen on Friday. -World Photo by Lou Sennick

NORTH BEND — It’s a big job, leading the U.S. Coast Guard on the South Coast. There are more than 450 people assigned to Group/Air Station North Bend and related facilities along the Southern Oregon Coast.

And there’s a new commander stepping in to oversee operations.

Following naval and military protocol, the U.S. Coast Guard contingent with Air Station North Bend witnessed the changing of commanders during a ceremony on Friday.

Rear Admiral John P. Currier, commander of the 13th Coast Guard District which includes the Southern Oregon Coast, presided over the ceremony and protocol in moving Capt. Scott A. Kitchen into position as the new commander. Capt. Kitchen’s appointment comes with the retirement of Capt. Lance O. Benton.

The change of command happened in the North Bend station hanger in front of the personnel assigned to the group, more than 100 visitors, including family and friends, and the Bay Area Concert Band that provided music.

According to the protocol, the command witnesses the reading of orders and to see the new officer take command by the proper authority.

Kitchen is a 1986 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy. For the past 19 years, he has flown nearly 5,000 flight hours in HH-65 Dolphin helicopters, such as those flown out of North Bend. He has been stationed in Puerto Rico, North Bend, Miami and New Orleans. This is his second tour of duty here. He also has experience at the Aviation Training Center in Mobile and command cadre at Air Station New Orleans.

According to a press release, Kitchen is the recipient of the Capt. Witherspoon Inspirational Leadership award for his work helping with the rescue of 33,544 people following Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana by the Coast Guard.

He is joined in the area by his wife, Jennifer, a 23-year Coast Guard veteran, and their 2-year-old twin daughters.

Benton took over command of the North Bend group in June 2005. He is retiring after 30 years in the Coast Guard having graduated from the Academy in 1982 and has been flying since 1987 with more than 5,500 hours in both the HH-65 and HH-60 helicopters.

At the ceremony,  Currier said to Benton’s wife, Theresa, now that her husband is retired, let him relax for a few days then give him a big honey-do list.