Photo By Lance Cpl. Elizabeth Gallagher | U.S. Marines Lt. Col. Christopher J. Kelly, middle, outgoing commanding officer, and...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Arizona – Lt Col. Robert Kelly, outgoing commanding officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 214, relinquished his command to Lt. Col. Robert Guyette, incoming commanding officer of VMFA-214, during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, Arizona, Feb. 1, 2024.
Kelly first assumed command of VMFA-214 on March 25, 2022. During his time as commanding officer (C.O.) he oversaw the squadron’s transition from an attack squadron to a fighter attack squadron. This included a complete change in personnel as well as a change in aircraft.
“I got to take the job at a unique point in history for the squadron as we transitioned from the AV-8 Harriers to the F35B Lightning IIs” said Kelly. “which was unique, because you get to start with a fresh slate. We got rid of all of the AV airplanes and pretty much all of the personnel. So, all new pilots, planes and people.”
Guyette previously served as the Chief Operational Test Director at Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 since April 2022. This will be Guyette’s first time serving as a C.O. where he will be overseeing and leading the black sheep for the foreseeable future.
“It’s a privilege. This is a very storied unit. The black sheep have accomplished a lot over the last 80 years or so in the Marine Corps.” Said Guyette. “So, to step into this position on this team, it’s humbling and it’s also exciting at the same time. We got a lot of work to do here in the next couple of years, but this is definitely the A-team.”
Something Kelly left behind for his successor is a tight-nit team of Marines, Guyette hopes to continue at the pace his successor set for him and to make sure every Marine knows the importance of what they are doing along with how much they are appreciated.
“Lt. Col. Kelly set a pretty high bar and one of the things that I noticed immediately is how close the team is, which is really important as well as a reflection of his leadership.” Said Guyette. “My objective and my goal for the first couple of months is just to keep up the pace that he set along side making sure the team knows how important what they’re doing is and how much everybody appreciates all their hard work”
With that, VMFA-214 opens a new chapter in their book, more missions, training, and flights are sure to come. Now with Guyette taking over as C.O., Kelly left his Marines with these words:
“Marines just keep doing what you’re doing. You’ve worked hard, you’ve built an amazing culture and an amazing squadron. It’s not me that built it, it’s you, your reputation, your personality.” Said Kelly “Continue to challenge each other to be better, and little by little you will be unstoppable”
| Date Taken: | 02.07.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 02.09.2024 20:37 |
| Story ID: | 463516 |
| Location: | YUMA, AZ, US |
| Web Views: | 96 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, From Transformation to Transition: Black Sheep CO passes the torch and leaves lasting impression, by LCpl Christian Radosti, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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