USCGC JAMES
(WMSL 754)

COMMAND

Commanding Officer

Captain Charles ‘Chuck’ L. Banks Jr.

Captain Charles Banks is arriving at U.S. Coast Guard Cutter JAMES after having departed Coast Guard Southeast District as the Chief of Response. In this capacity, he managed operations for six Sectors, four Air Stations, thirty-four Patrol Boats across 1.8 million square miles that includes South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, the Caribbean. 

Upon commissioning, Captain Banks served aboard USCGC BEAR (WMEC 901), Portsmouth, Virginia. Subsequent afloat assignments include Executive Officer of the 110-foot patrol boat USCGC PEA ISLAND (WPB 1347) in St. Petersburg, Florida, Commanding Officer of the 110-foot patrol boats USCGC DRUMMOND (WPB 1323) and USCGC PEA ISLAND (WPB 1347) in Key West, Florida; Executive Officer of the 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter USCGC THETIS (WMEC 910) in Key West, Florida; and most recently as Commanding Officer of USCGC NORTHLAND (WMEC 904) in Portsmouth, Virginia. 

Captain Banks’ shore assignments include Aide and Executive Assistant to the Seventh District Commander in Miami, Florida, and assignment to the USCG Office of Congressional and Governmental Affairs where he served as a Congressional Fellow to the Office of Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).  Captain Banks also completed an assignment at the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Operations Coordination and Planning  and also was assigned to the Global Maritime Operational Threat Response Coordination Center (GMCC) serving as the DHS Executive Secretariat for maritime threat response coordination. Additionally, he was assigned as the Atlantic Area Chief of Cutter Forces serving as the fleet manager for the 28 major cutters operating under the Atlantic Area Commanders purview. Prior to assignment at Coast Guard Southeast District, he was assigned as the Coast Guard Liaison Officer to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Captain Banks graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 2001 earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Government. He has also received a Master of Arts degree in Homeland Security (with Honors) from the American Military University in 2010, a Master of Arts degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in 2016, and a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Security Studies from the National Defense University College of International Security Affairs in 2023.

Captain Banks is a Permanent Cutterman with more than ten years of sea time. His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, four (4) Meritorious Service Medals, five (5) Coast Guard Commendation Medals and a Coast Guard Achievement Medal as well as numerous Service awards.  
 

Executive Officer

CDR Nicholas A. Galati

Commander Nicholas A. Galati assumed the role as Executive Officer of CGC JAMES in May 2026. He is responsible for the cutter’s organization, administration, daily execution, and good order and discipline of the crew.

Prior to reporting to JAMES, his previous tours include Base Charleston, the Office of Emerging Policy for the Deputy Commandant of Operations, and the Polar Security Cutter Acquisitions Program. As Base Charleston’s Chief Naval Engineer, he directed cutter depot maintenance and casualty repairs across the Low Country of South Carolina, Georgia, and Northern Florida. While serving as a Strategic Analysist for the Office of Emerging Policy, he analyzed National and Service policies and made force allocation and strategic proposals to enterprise leadership. He also served as a Project Manager for the Polar Security Cutter, where he fused operational requirements with engineering capabilities to gain Secretary-level approval to commence acquisition program initiation.

CDR Galati is a proud Cutterman with over seven years of sea service. Previously, he served as the Engineer Officer and certified Ice Pilot onboard CGC POLAR STAR (WAGB 10). Additionally, he served as Engineer Officer onboard CGC SPENCER (WMEC 905). Following commissioning, he served as Damage Control Assistant and Auxiliary Officer onboard CGC POLAR SEA (WAGB 11).

He graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 2007 earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and later earned a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 2013. Commander Galati earned his Joint Professional Military Education Diploma from the US Naval War College in 2025.

Commander Galati’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, three Coast Guard Achievement Medals, and several other personal, unit, and service awards.

Command Chief

Chief Petty Officer Kyle R. Johnson​

Chief Petty Officer Johnson is a native of Mount Holly, New Jersey. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in March 2004. Prior to Enlistment he attended Burlington County Institute of Technology In Medford, New Jersey, where he studied carpentry.

He began his Coast Guard career on March 16th, 2004 onboard Training Center Cape May, recruit company Y-167. Upon graduation, he reported to Yorktown, Virginia, where he graduated from Damage Controlman “A” School. He then reported to the CGC Dependable in Cape May, NJ. While onboard, he was a crucial member of the Boarding Team, the on scene Leader for drills and emergencies, and a qualified Oiler watch stander. After serving onboard for just shy of 3 years, he transferred to the Industrial Support Detachment in Cape May, NJ. His following units included the Atlantic Strike Team in Fort Dix, NJ; Patrol Forces Southwest Asia, Manama, Bahrain; Engineering Detachment Sandy Hook, Highlands NJ; Sector Field Office Atlantic City, Egg Harbor TWP, NJ; and CGC JAMES. 

His personal awards include a Coast Guard Commendation Medal, six Coast Guard Achievement Medals, a Joint Service Achievement Medal, Two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, six Commandant Letter of Commendation Ribbons, seven Coast Guard Good Conduct Medals, and numerous service and unit awards.