Rear Admiral Christopher C. Colvin assumed his duties as Deputy Commander Pacific Area Coast Guard on June 08, 2011. Responsibilities for this assignment include oversight of U.S. Coast Guard operations for the western half of the world divided by the Rocky Mountains. Prior to this assignment, he served as the Seventeenth Coast Guard District Commander responsible for U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout Alaska and the U.S. Arctic. Rear Admiral Colvin previously served as Deputy Director of Operations for U.S. Northern Command in Colorado Springs, CO where he had oversight of NORTHCOM operations in defense of the Homeland and defense support to civil authorities. During the summer of 2009, Rear Admiral Colvin helped coordinate the largest military air evacuation of a U.S. city ever, when nearly 7,000 people were airlifted out of the New Orleans area just prior to the onset of Hurricane Gustav.
Rear Admiral Colvin was promoted to Flag rank in 2006. From 2004 to 2006 he served as Chief of Staff and Chief of Operations for Coast Guard Atlantic Area. In 2004, Rear Admiral Colvin served as commander of Coast Guard Forces off Haiti and as the Maritime Component Commander to Joint Task Force Haiti, helping prevent a mass migration and preserving order in Port Au Prince Harbor following the unexpected departure of former Haitian President Aristide. In 2003 he commanded Coast Guard Cutter DALLAS (WHEC 716) while attached to the USS TRUMAN/USS ROOSEVELT battle force conducting combat operations during the first six months of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
His career has included a variety of operational and staff assignments on both coasts. Rear Admiral Colvin has served aboard eight Coast Guard cutters and has commanded three. His staff expertise is in cutter management, operations, strategy and readiness. He has enforced U.S. sovereignty in the maritime arena by interdicting illegal drugs, detaining illegal migrants, seizing foreign fishing vessels and saving lives.
After entering officer candidate school in November, 1978 Rear Admiral Colvin received his commission in March, 1979. Rear Admiral Colvin has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC. He is a 1999 graduate of the Naval War College, Newport, RI earning a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.
His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Coast Guard Commendation Medal.