Vice Adm. Paul Zukunft, head of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Pacific Area and Defense Force units, has been nominated by President Barack Obama to become the service’s 25th commandant, Navy Times reported Saturday.Meghann Myers writes that if Zukunft is confirmed, he will succeed Adm. Bob Papp, who is retiring after 39 years in service.
Zufunkt has led marine safety and stewardship, response policy and capability programs.
He served as on-scene leader for the federal response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill and managed a team of more than 47,000 responders.
During his military career, he won three Legions of Merit, a Defense Superior Service Medal and five Meritorious Service Medals.
Zukunft graduated at the Coast Guard Academy and earned advanced degrees from Webster University and the Naval War College.
