Coast Guard
Commander of Coast Guard Base Alameda temporarily relieved
Stars and Stripes
May 21, 2025
Then-Lt. Cmdr. David Melton in June 2015 at Coast Guard Sector Field Office Galveston in Texas. Melton was temporarily relieved from duty May 20, 2025 as commander of Coast Guard Base Alameda. (U.S. Coast Guard)
The U.S. Coast Guard temporarily relieved the commander of California’s Base Alameda on Tuesday, according to a service press release.
Capt. David Melton was relieved due to loss of confidence. The term is routinely used by the U.S. military when removing commanders and typically is accompanied by few to no details as to why the person was removed. The Coast Guard in this case said the temporary removal was not due to misconduct.
Melton took command of the San Francisco-area base in June 2024, according to a Coast Guard social media post.
Melton has previously received the Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal, three service Commendation Medals, five service Achievement Medals, among others, according to his Coast Guard biography.
Command of Base Alameda has temporarily been assumed by Capt. Brian Winburn, the release said.
The command change has no impact on public safety and Base Alameda remains operational, according to the release.