MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Sgt. Maj. Alex M. Dobson assumed duties as sergeant major of Marine Air Control Squadron 2 from Sgt. Maj. William R. Sweet during a post and relief ceremony at the MACS-2 parade field, Dec. 1.
Wind gusts and drizzling rain attempted to disrupt the outdoor ceremony, but the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band played on as family, friends and Marines watched Sweet and Dobson carry out the ritual passing of the squadron’s sword, signifying the transfer of sacred trust from one sergeant major to another.
With the weather threatening, Sweet wasted no words.
“It was a privilege to be able to serve with a great, fine group of young Americans,” he said.
Sweet served as the squadron’s senior enlisted leader and advisor for nine months, and he recently returned from a four-month deployment as the sergeant major for the Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Continuing Promise 2010, a humanitarian civic assistance mission in South and Central America. MACS-2 contributed as a command element.
Lt. Col. Chris S. Richie, the commanding officer for MACS-2, said it was because of Sweet’s keen insight and intelligence that the squadron was able to form, organize, and equip the special-purpose MAGTF and deploy in record time.
“Sweet did so much for the squadron as both a leader and a mentor,” added Richie.
Sweet said, “No one man or Marine did all of that. My time with the squadron was a team effort all the way.”
Along with transitioning to a new sergeant major, the squadron is also preparing for a deployment to Afghanistan this spring.
“I know Sgt. Maj. Dobson will lead the Marines in a very efficient manner,” Sweet noted.
Dobson was formerly the sergeant major of Combat Logistics Battalion 6 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, and he said he has been nothing but impressed with the Marines of MACS-2.
“This is my first time in the wing, and I look forward to the challenge,” Dobson said. “I’ve been told this is the biggest squadron in the group, and I look forward to it being the best squadron in the group.