Rear Admiral Thomas P. Ostebo assumed the duties as the Commander, Coast Guard 17th District in May 2011. He is responsible for all Coast Guard Operations throughout Alaska which includes protecting life and property, enforcing federal laws and treaties, preserving the living marine resources, and promoting national security. Headquartered in Juneau, AK, the Seventeenth District includes portions of the North Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and Bering Sea. As the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Alaska, he provides operationally ready maritime forces to both Coast Guard and Department of Defense Commanders for Coast Guard, joint, and interagency operations both domestically and internationally.
In his previous assignment, Rear Admiral Ostebo was the Coast Guard’s Assistant Commandant for Engineering and Logistics (CG-4). He was responsible for all naval, civil, aeronautical, and industrial engineering and logistics for the Coast Guard’s $25 billion capital plant which includes 23,000 facilities, 230 ships, 1,800 boats, and 200 aircraft. Rear Admiral Ostebo was responsible for executing an annual budget of $1 billion and leading 2,200 personnel at Coast Guard Headquarters and three major Headquarters commands.
Rear Admiral Ostebo’s other assignments include Executive Assistant to the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Executive Assistant to the Chief of Coast Guard Operations, Commanding Officer of Air Stations Cape Cod and Traverse City, and Chief Aeronautical Engineering Officer at Air Station Clearwater, Florida and Air Station Sitka, Alaska. He has also served as Chief of Inventory, Logistics, and Finance at the Coast Guard’s largest industrial depot, the Aircraft Repair and Supply Center, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina and as First Lieutenant aboard USCGC Active in New Castle, New Hampshire.
Rear Admiral Ostebo completed Naval Flight Training in 1984 in Pensacola, Florida and completed tours of duty at CGAS Cape Cod, CGAS Sitka, CGAS Clearwater, CGAS Traverse City, and the CG Aircraft Repair and Supply Center. During this time, he flew 4,000 flight hours, attained qualifications on the HH-3F, HH-60J, HC-130H, HH-65A/B and the HU-25, and qualified as an Aircraft Commander and Instructor Pilot. Admiral Ostebo also completed his Civilian Airline Transport Rating and Airframe and Power Plant Authorization.
A native of Kings Park, New York, Rear Admiral Ostebo graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1981 with a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science. In 1993, Rear Admiral Ostebo earned a Master of Science in Industrial Administration from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Business. He has completed a Senior Fellowship in National Security at Harvard University in 2002 and a Senior Fellowship at the Naval War College in 2005. Additionally, he has earned a Program Manager Level III Certification in Acquisitions and a Program Manager Level I Certification in Logistics. Admiral Ostebo was promoted to flag rank in July 2008.
His military decorations include three Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Meritorious Service Medals, two CG Commendation Medals, and the CG Achievement Medal.