Photo By Cpl. Cameron Payne | Lt. Col. Douglas J. Engel, former commanding officer of Marine Aviation Logistics...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. -- On a temperate North Carolina morning, the service members of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River, stood in a parade formation upon the squadron’s flight line, welcoming a new commanding officer to the squadron.
Lt. Col. Douglas J. Engel relinquished his command of MALS-26 to Lt. Col. Kevin J. Boyce during a change of command ceremony, June 6.
Boyce takes command of a squadron with an extensive history.
Among its many accolades, the squadron assisted in the evacuation of more than 1,600 American and foreign nationals from Monrovia, Liberia, during Operation Sharp Edge in 1990.
Col. John C. Vara, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 26, took an opportunity to thank Engel for the success of MALS-26 during his time as commanding officer of the squadron, but he wanted to stress the day’s event wasn’t about the gentlemen transferring the title of commanding officer.
“When one commanding officer transfers the authority and responsibility to another, it is sacred,” said Vara. “Today isn’t about them, and they know that. Today is about the squadron, and more importantly the Marines.”
Speaking for the last time as commanding officer of MALS-26, Engel gave thanks to the Marines of the squadron for their hard work and dedication during his command of the squadron and welcomed Boyce to the Patriots.
“I want to make a bold statement and say the Marines we have here at the MALS are some of the best logisticians the Marine Corps has,” said Engel. “They really understand what they do when they come to work. They grind out a product and I couldn’t be more proud of them. I am going to miss them because they honestly have done a fantastic job.”
Last to speak was Boyce, the new commanding officer of MALS-26.
“I am extremely honored to be here today and to lead these fantastic Marines,” said Boyce. “I could not think of anything more rewarding than this. In our small but mighty community, I firmly believe that relationships do equal readiness. We will continue to solidify and build upon the great legacy that has been laid. I am thrilled to be the commanding officer.”
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| Date Taken: | 06.06.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.09.2014 11:42 |
| Story ID: | 135611 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 174 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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