Admiral Gabel assumed the duties of Commander, First Coast Guard District in July 2008. He oversaw all Coast Guard missions across eight states in the Northeast and 2,000 miles of coastline from the U.S.-Canadian border to northern New Jersey. In fulfilling these responsibilities, Rear Admiral Gabel commanded over 12,000 active duty, reserve, civilian and Auxiliary personnel; and employs 30 cutters, 200 boats and 8 aircraft.
Rear Admiral Gabel graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1975, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Engineering and a commission as Ensign in the Coast Guard. He attended the University of Michigan postgraduate program from 1977 through 1979, earning Master of Science degrees in Naval Architecture/Marine Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. In 2004 Rear Admiral Gabel completed the Naval War College nonresident program.
Rear Admiral Gabel’s previous flag assignments include Assistant Commandant for Engineering and Logistics from May 2005 to June 2008, Assistant Commandant for Acquisition from June 2004 to July 2005 and Commander, Maintenance and Logistics Command Atlantic from June 2002 to September 2004. Rear Admiral Gabel was promoted to flag rank in April 2002.
Previous seagoing assignments include Commanding Officer of USCGC MUNRO (WHEC 724), Executive Officer of USCGC MUNRO, Engineer Officer of USCGC RUSH (WHEC 723) and USCGC UTE (WMEC 76), and Assistant Engineer Officer/Student Engineer aboard USCGC BURTON ISLAND (WAGB 283), a polar icebreaker.
Shore assignments include Deputy Commander of Maintenance and Logistics Command Atlantic; Chief of the Atlantic Area/Fifth Coast Guard District Operations Branch; Commanding Officer of Naval Engineering Support Unit, Portsmouth, Virginia; Assistant Chief, Vessel Support Branch, Maintenance and Logistics Command Pacific; Technical Division Chief, Resident Inspector Office, Newport, RI; and Section Chief, Advanced Marine Vehicles Branch, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, DC.
Rear Admiral Gabel's awards include the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (five awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Commendation Medal (four awards), Achievement Medal, and numerous unit and service awards.
Rear Admiral Gabel commanded the First Coast Guard until his Change of Command on July 24, 2009 and officially retired from the Coast Guard on September 1, 2009. He currently resides with his wife Shelley in Dublin, New Hampshire