SC State grad appears on CNN to discuss Coast Guard efforts in Potomac River crash response

Coast Guard Capt. Patrick Burkett completed a bachelor's degree in agribusiness at SC State in 1999.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State University alumnus Capt. Patrick Burkett appeared live Monday on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper” to discuss the U.S. Coast Guard’s role in the Potomac River crash response.

As commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Maryland - National Capital Region, Burkett is one of the members of the Unified Command responding to the Jan. 29 mass-casualty aviation incident near Washington, D.C.

Click here to watch the CNN video.  

A Norway, South Carolina, native, Burkett graduated with honors from SC State in 1999 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in agribusiness. He also holds a Master of Science degree in management with a specialization in homeland security management from the University of Maryland University College.

Burkett was named as the sector's commanding officer in June 2024, having previously served as the chief of the 13th Coast Guard District’s Prevention Division since July 2021.

Sector Maryland – National Capital Region spans the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay north of the Virginia-Maryland line and its tributaries, as well as Ocean City and offshore Atlantic Ocean providing maritime safety, security, and environmental protection for the region.

Burkett’s previous Coast Guard operational assignments include Prevention Department head, Sector Jacksonville; executive officer, Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh; investigating officer, Sector Hampton Roads, and marine inspector, Sector New Orleans and Sector Miami.

He also served as the Coast Guard liaison to Military Sealift Command, in which he was the primary advisor to the MSC commander to ensure vessel readiness for over 130 naval auxiliary vessels tasked to sustain global warfighting capability, provide combat support, and humanitarian aid around the globe.

Burkett’s military decorations include: four Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medals, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, three Coast Guard Achievement Medals, Commandant’s Letter of Commendation and several Unit and Service awards. He was also awarded the Secretary of Homeland Security’s Award for Volunteer Service in 2007.

He and his wife, Sadequa, have two children, Diamond and Taylor.