Combat Center welcomes new commanding general

Photo By Sgt. Levi Schultz | Maj. Gen. Lewis A. Craparotta, outgoing Combat Center Commanding General, passes the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center battle colors to Brig. Gen. William F. Mullen III, oncoming Combat Center commanding general, at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field, July 14, 2016. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Levi Schultz/Released)  

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

07.14.2016

Story by Lance Cpl. Levi Schultz 

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

Maj. Gen. Lewis A. Craparotta relinquished command of Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, to Brig. Gen. William F. Mullen III during a change of command ceremony at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field, July 14, 2016.
Numerous distinguished guests attended including general officers and sergeants major from other Marine Corps commands, community members and local retirees.
Unit commanders from Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1, Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group, and Marine Corps Logistics Operations Group represented their respective commands and led Marines during the traditional pass in review. The 1st Marine Division Band played ceremonial military marching music.
Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Hendges, Combat Center Sergeant Major, delivered the MAGTFTC, MCAGCC battle colors to Craparotta, who then passed to Mullen, signifying the passing of authority and accountability of command.
Craparotta extended gratitude to the civilian employees aboard the base, the retiree community, supporting organizations throughout the area, unit leaders aboard the installation, as well as the Marines and sailors whom had been under his charge.
“I don’t think you can truly understand the breadth and depth of the mission here at the Combat Center and training command unless you’ve had the opportunity to serve here as a leader,” Craparotta said. “When we say that [the Combat Center] is the crowned jewel of the Marine Corps, it really rings true.”
Craparotta has been nominated by President Barack Obama for promotion to the rank of lieutenant general and appointment as the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to serve in your ranks,” Craparotta said. “It will be a tour that I will remember throughout the rest of my time in the Corps and probably well beyond that.”
Mullen previously served as the director of Combat Development Division in Quantico, Va., and was forward deployed with the Combined Joint Task Force in Iraq.
“When he passed the flag to me, the words “total commitment” were used,” Mullen said. “I can promise you that you have my total commitment and I’m looking forward to working with all of you.”

• Date Taken: 07.14.2016
• Date Posted: 07.15.2016 12:21
• Story ID: 204083
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US