Washington, D.C., January 16, 2026 – Adm. Kevin E. Lunday was formally sworn in Thursday as the 28th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard during a dignified ceremony at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The event marked the culmination of a distinguished 39-year career for Lunday, who becomes only the second officer to ascend directly from the position of Vice Commandant to Commandant in recent history.
The swearing-in was administered by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who presided over the ceremony in her capacity as the civilian head of the department. In her remarks, Secretary Noem lauded Lunday’s nearly four decades of service, highlighting his proven leadership during some of the Coast Guard’s most demanding periods. “Admiral Lunday brings unparalleled experience, integrity, and vision to this role,” Noem stated. “His steady hand and commitment to the men and women of the Coast Guard will ensure this vital service continues to protect our nation’s maritime interests, save lives, and uphold the rule of law in an increasingly complex world.”
Lunday, a native of North Carolina and a 1987 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, assumed command from Adm. Linda L. Fagan, who retired after four years as the first female Commandant in the service’s 235-year history. Prior to his appointment, Lunday served as the 32nd Vice Commandant since June 2022, overseeing day-to-day operations, workforce readiness, and strategic planning. His previous assignments include Commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area, Commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District (covering the Caribbean, Central America, and South America), and senior roles in operations, intelligence, and policy at headquarters.
In his first official address as Commandant, Lunday reaffirmed the Coast Guard’s enduring identity as one of the six armed services of the United States and its unique role as a key instrument of national power. “Every day, Coast Guard men and women carry out missions that protect our homeland, secure our maritime borders, save lives, and protect national security,” he said. “I am humbled to serve alongside them while ensuring they have what they need to succeed—today and in the future.”
Lunday outlined five core priorities for his tenure: strengthening maritime domain awareness and border security, enhancing operational readiness and workforce resilience, advancing technological innovation and modernization, deepening interagency and international partnerships, and maintaining fiscal responsibility amid constrained budgets. He emphasized the Coast Guard’s statutory missions under Title 14 of the U.S. Code, which include maritime security, law enforcement, search and rescue, marine environmental protection, ice operations, and defense readiness.
The Coast Guard operates across an expansive domain: more than 95,000 miles of U.S. shoreline, 4.5 million square miles of exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and critical inland waterways. With approximately 41,000 active-duty personnel, 7,000 reservists, 31,000 auxiliary members, and a fleet of more than 240 cutters, 1,650 small boats, and over 200 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, the service conducts an average of 45,000 search-and-rescue cases annually, saves more than 4,000 lives, and interdicts billions of dollars in illicit drugs each year.
Lunday’s leadership comes at a time of heightened strategic importance for the Coast Guard. The service has played a central role in enforcing U.S. sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, conducting Arctic patrols amid growing competition in the High North, countering Chinese maritime assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, and supporting large-scale humanitarian and law enforcement operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. The Coast Guard also maintains a continuous presence in the Persian Gulf under Operation Earnest Will and participates in multinational efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing worldwide.
The ceremony, attended by senior military leaders, members of Congress, foreign dignitaries, and Coast Guard personnel, featured the traditional passing of the commandant's flag and the recitation of the Oath of Office. Lunday’s wife, Anne, and their two adult children were present, along with representatives from the other armed services and the Department of Homeland Security.
Secretary Noem highlighted Lunday’s reputation as a “quiet professional” who leads by example and prioritizes mission execution over public acclaim. “Admiral Lunday understands that the Coast Guard’s greatest strength is its people,” she said. “His focus on recruiting, retaining, and empowering a diverse, highly skilled workforce will be essential as the service faces emerging threats in cyberspace, the Arctic, and the Indo-Pacific.”
Lunday’s appointment was confirmed by the Senate on December 18, 2025, following his nomination by President Donald Trump on November 15. The Senate Armed Services Committee advanced his nomination unanimously, praising his operational experience and strategic vision.
As the 28th Commandant, Lunday will serve a standard four-year term, subject to reappointment. He succeeds Adm. Fagan, whose tenure was marked by historic milestones, including the service’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, increased Arctic operations, and expanded partnerships with allies and partner nations.
The Coast Guard remains unique among U.S. military branches as the only service with both military and law enforcement authorities, allowing it to operate seamlessly in peacetime and wartime. Under Lunday’s command, the service is expected to continue its dual role as protector of the homeland and guardian of America’s maritime interests in an era of great-power competition and transnational threats.
