Meet Captain Barndt

January 30, 2010

By Sheila Julson

Captain Luann Barndt, the first female commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan. ~photo Michael Timm

Captain Luann Barndt stops in the 24/7 command center of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan base, 2420 S. Lincoln Memorial Dr. The rooms are illuminated by the glow of computer monitors. Flat-screen televisions mounted on the walls keep the command center personnel abreast of current news and weather. Barndt, standing tall in her rich blue uniform, watches the lights on the radios and transmitters while she chats with a staff member.

Barndt, who assumed the duties of Sector Lake Michigan commander July 1, 2009, is the first female commander of Sector Lake Michigan. She said there are currently five women commanders among the USCG’s 35 sectors.