Photo By Colin Broadstone | Lt. Col. Christopher Benfield, left, receives the unit colors from Lt. Col. Jason...... read more read more
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A North Carolina native assumed command of the Marine Corps’ largest squadron during a change of command ceremony here, May 25.
Lt. Col. Christopher Benfield assumed command of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron as Lt. Col. Jason Donovan passed him the unit colors on the headquarters parade field in front of Marines, sailors, family, friends and distinguished guests.
The change of command ceremony is an honored tradition that signifies the passing of authority and responsibility from the outgoing commanding officer to the new commander. During this ceremony, the unit colors are passed to the oncoming commander. This exchange represents the obligations and requirements the new commander has for the Marines he will lead.
Although he originally hails from the small town of Granite Falls, North Carolina, Benfield has come a long way since his commission as a second lieutenant in May, 1999. The University of North Carolina graduate completed the basic school and reported for primary flight training in Pensacola, Florida. He became a naval aviator, earning his wings on November 16, 2001, and was assigned to Marine Light-Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 in August 2002 where he served as the ground training officer, flight equipment officer, airframes officer, assistant aircraft maintenance officer, assistant future operations officer and quality assurance officer.
Benfield has deployed four times as well as serving as an instructor pilot. His deployments consisted of one deployment in 2003 with the “Gunrunners” of HMLA-269 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I, one in 2005 with the “Golden Eagles” of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162 to the Central Command Area of Responsibility, again with HMLA-269 in 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07, and in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 11 in 2010 as the assistant future operations officer, G-3, for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. He also served as an instructor pilot for Helicopter Training Squadron 18 assigned to Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 in 2008.
From July 2013 until June 2014, Benfield attended the USMC Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia, where he earned a Masters in Military Studies. Upon graduating, Benfield was assigned as the detachment commander for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 Detachment Bravo at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. From there, he was scheduled to serve as the executive officer for the “Rams” of H&HS.
Benfield had some kind words for the Marines of H&HS and the outgoing and retiring Donovan, who has led the squadron for the past two years.
“I would tell the Marines to keep doing what they’ve been doing under Lt. Col. Donovan’s leadership, no significant rudder steers or changes required,” said Benfield. “His leadership has been calm, steady and consistently on the mark guiding the Rams toward excellence in the broad range of mission sets we perform.”
Benfield said he is looking forward to the all hands briefs with the Marines of H&HS so he can lay out his philosophies, both in life and service, vision and intent for the squadron. He hopes to rejuvenate the vigor for military service and the selfless sacrifices the Marines make every day in defense of this nation.
Donovan served as the commanding officer of H&HS beginning in May, 2016. This will be his last duty assignment for the Marine Corps as the change of command ceremony was held prior to his retirement ceremony.
“Lt. Col. Benfield is the former executive officer, so he already has his hands wrapped around the organization, which is a great benefit for him,” said Donovan. “The key part of this job is just maintaining the support to the warfighter.”
Donovan has accumulated over 3,300 flight hours in multiple airframes to include over 2,500 in the CH-46E helicopter. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal-Strike Flight with numeral 14, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Donovan served in the Marine Corps for 25 years and said he’s going to miss the camaraderie and esprit de corps the most. He said it will be difficult to find that kind of bond anywhere else and that he will miss having an impact on young Marines growth and development.
| Date Taken: | 05.25.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.27.2018 12:19 |
| Story ID: | 279045 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 227 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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