MSU VALDEZ COMMAND

COMMANDING OFFICER
Commander Matt Meacham

Commander Matt Meacham graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.  His first assignment was as a Student Engineer aboard the USCGC HAMILTON (WHEC 715) homeported in San Diego, CA where he served as the Electrical Division Officer and Damage Control Assistant. 

In 2011, he reported to Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur, located in Port Arthur, TX as a Marine Inspector, Port State Control Officer and Command Duty Officer.  Upon tour completion in 2014, he then reported to USCG Activities Europe, located in Schinnen, Netherlands where he was a Journeyman Maine Inspector and Chief of Domestic Inspections, carrying out and overseeing USCG inspections on commercial vessels in the USCG’s largest area of responsibility which included Europe, Africa and the Middle East. 

In 2019, Commander Meacham graduated from the University of Michigan with a Master of Science degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Industrial and Operations Engineering.  Upon graduation, he reported to USCG Head Quarters to the Office of Engineering and Design Standards as a staff engineer where he developed international and domestic commercial shipping standards, regulations, and policy.

In 2021, Commander Meacham reported to the Office of Operations and Environmental Standards located at USCG Head Quarters as the Chief for the Vessel and Facility Operating Standards division.  He was responsible for overseeing the development and promulgation of regulatory changes and strategic level guidance to field units and industry partners pertaining to commercial vessel and facility operations in the Marine Transportation System and Outer Continental Shelf activities.  Commander Meacham also oversaw all USCG efforts in processing applications for deepwater ports including conducting the independent risk assessments and developing the US government’s Environmental Impact Statement for each proposed project.

In June 2023, Commander Meacham reported to Marine Safety Unit Morgan City as the Executive Officer where he led a unit of 66 members in addition to managing unit finances, administrative duties, and ensured the safety of people and security of property.
 

EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Lieutenant Commander Edward K. Kaaua

LCDR Edward “Kahi” Kaaua enlisted into the Coast Guard in 2001 and earned his commission at Officer Candidate School in 2012. He reports to Valdez from the PACAREA Prevention Ops Planning Branch in Alameda, CA, where he was responsible for liaising with FAA, NASA, U.S. Space Force, and Gov't/Commercial space operators to ensure all space launch/reentry missions that occur within the Pacific AOR, account for and minimize, risks to the MTS. In addition, he facilitated policy review discussions with CG-WWM-1, delivering tailored data from the four PACAREA Districts, which led to the establishment of the Space Launch & Reentry Activities Affecting the MTS, COMDTINST 16601.11A.

LCDR Kaaua's previous assignments include: PACAREA MTS Space Launch/Reentry Coordinator at Alameda, CA; Supervisor, Marine Safety Detachment Homer at Homer, AK; Supervisor, Marine Safety Team Hawai'i at Kailua-Kona, HI; Marine Safety Unit Portland at Portland, OR; Officer Candidate School at New London, CT; Redeployment Assistance Inspection Detachment Team at Kandahar, Afghanistan; Station Chetco River at Brookings-Harbor, OR; USCGC MONSOON at San Diego, CA; Patrol Forces Southwest Asia at Manama, Bahrain; Group/Air Station Humboldt Bay at McKinleyville, CA; Damage Controlman “A” School at Yorktown, VA; TISCOM/Honor Guard Division at Washington D.C.; and Recruit Basic Training at Cape May, NJ.

His personal awards include: (4) CG Commendation Medals, Army Commendation Medal, (3) CG Achievement Medals, & several other individual/team/unit awards from the CG & other service branches.

In his free time, LCDR Kaaua enjoys participating in sport activities with an emphasis on his primary passion of playing/watching/coaching basketball. He also enjoys outdoor activities to include hiking, hunting, fishing, sightseeing, and experiencing new adventures.