MWHS-2 changes hands

Photo By Brian Adam Jones | (Left) Lt. Col. Thomas S. Witczak hands the organizational colors to Master Gunnery Sgt. Lonnie C. Carson Jr. during a change of command ceremony for Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 at the parade field, May 27. Lt. Col. Victor S. Stover, relinquished command of the squadron to Witczak during the ceremony.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, UNITED STATES

05.27.2010

Story by Lance Cpl. Brian Adam Jones 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Lt. Col. Victor S. Stover relinquished command of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 to Lt. Col. Thomas S. Witczak during a change of command ceremony at the parade field, May 27.

The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition that formally restates to the officers and Marines of the unit the continuity of the authority of the commanding officer's position. The ceremony is symbolic of the total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from one officer to another.

Stover said his initial impressions of Witczak were that he is a great guy who is well-prepared for a command.

In his remarks, Witczak stressed that he was no stranger to the Marines of MWHS-2.

"I've seen these Marines operate in the field, they are a fine team, and I am proud to now be a part of that team," Witczak said.

Witczak recently deployed to Iraq with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as a battle captain in the tactical air command center and served as executive officer of Marine Aircraft Group 26 during the drawdown phase of Marine aviation in Iraq. He returned to Cherry Point in February.

Stover is set to assume duties as an instructor at the Royal College of Defense Studies in London.

"It's an overseas move to a foreign school," Stover said. "I look forward to tactfully defending United States policies abroad."

"Being the commanding officer, I have learned how the wing functions within the Marine expeditionary force and the impacts of deployment on families," Stover said. "The time I spent here has given me a new perspective on military strategy."

Stover had this advice to offer Witczak: "Find a balance and keep everything in balance."

• Date Taken: 05.27.2010
• Date Posted: 06.04.2010 11:33
• Story ID: 50858
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US