Lt. Niki Kircher-Hope took command of USCGC Frederick Hatch from Lt. Patrick Dreiss in a change of command ceremony at Victor Pier in Apra Harbor, Guam, on July 12, 2024.

Capt. Robert Kistner, U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam commander, presided over the ceremony.

During Lt. Dreiss's command from January 2022 to April 2024, the crew of USCGC Frederick Hatch embarked on a remarkable journey across Oceania, covering 37,000 nautical miles in support of Operations Blue Pacific and Rematau.

They made history with three expeditionary patrols, marking the inaugural Fast Response Cutter visits to Nauru and the Philippines. His leadership was pivotal during a critical incident involving an injured crewman showing paralytic symptoms.

He executed a 280-nautical-mile evacuation to Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, navigating through nighttime restricted waters in a poorly marked channel, ultimately saving the patient's life.

In their relentless fight against illicit maritime crime, the team conducted 40 boardings and 23 observation reports of foreign-flagged fishing vessels, uncovering 28 violations of international fisheries conservation measures.

Lt. Dreiss also spearheaded the enforcement of FSM and Republic of Palau laws under an Enhanced Shiprider Agreements, allowing at-sea boardings without a physical shiprider aboard.

He graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 2015 with a degree in civil engineering and began his career aboard USCGC Confidence, supporting counter-narcotic and migrant deterrence missions.

From 2017 to 2019, he served as executive officer aboard USCGC Wiiliam Flores, earning the Sector Miami Officer Excellence Award. He then oversaw the FRC fleet's policy and operations at Coast Guard Headquarters and served in the White House Social Aide Program.

Lt. Dreiss seeks to further his education at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. He is married to Lt. Morgan Dreiss, who will attend Georgetown University for graduate studies in Data Analytics.

Florida-native Lt. Niki Kirchner-Hope most recently served as the Executive Staff Assistant for the Deputy for Personnel Readiness at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, where she supported the oversight of human resources, force readiness, and Academy activities.

She was instrumental in executing talent management strategies, enhancing workforce diversity, and implementing the Commandant’s directives for accountability and transparency.

She also contributed to the DPR Leadership and Diversity Advisory Council, National Capital Region Women’s Leadership Initiative, and Douglas Munro Chapter of the Surface Navy Association.

She previously served as assistant combat systems officer aboard USCGC Hamilton, where she managed the maintenance and operation of the cutter’s electronics, information, weapons, and intelligence collection systems.

She also acted as tactical action officer during deployment to the Mediterranean and Black Seas, responsible for Hamilton’s defense posturing and tactical navigation while operating in the vicinity of Russia and Ukraine.

From 2018 to 2020, she was the operations officer aboard USCGC Margaret Norvell, tasked with safe navigation, mission planning, and execution.

A 2018 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, she earned Bachelor of Science degrees in electrical engineering and operations research and computer analysis.

As Lt. Niki Kirchner-Hope takes the helm of USCGC Frederick Hatch, she inherits a legacy of profound commitment and remarkable achievements under Lt. Patrick Dreiss’s leadership.

The transition marks a new chapter for the Frederick Hatch, poised to continue its crucial role in safeguarding the maritime safety, security, and stewardship of the Pacific region.

With Lt. Kirchner-Hope's extensive background in tactical operations and strategic management and the crews' experience they are well-equipped to navigate the evolving challenges of maritime law enforcement and international partnerships.