MARFORCOM welcomes new commanding general

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Jessika Alarcon | U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Robert F. Hedelund, the incoming commanding general of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command dismisses the Marines during the MARFORCOM change of command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads, Virginia, June 27, 2019. The change of command is a time-honored tradition where all responsibilities and authority are ceremoniously passed from one commander to another. MARFORCOM is one of three major Marine Corps commands, along with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Reserve, which generates operating forces to support Unified or Joint Task Force Commanders. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessika Braden/ Released)  

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

07.03.2019

Story by Sgt. Jessika Alarcon 

Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command

NORFOLK, Va. – U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. Robert F. Hedelund assumed command of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command (MARFORCOM) during a change of command ceremony where Lt. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis, the outgoing MARFORCOM commanding general transferred the command’s colors to Hedelund July 3 at Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads, Virginia.
Brilakis assumed command of MARFORCOM August 14, 2017. MARFORCOM is one of three major Marine Corps commands, along with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Reserve, which generates operating forces to support Unified or Joint Task Force Commanders. The Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command also serves as the principal adviser on Marine Corps matters to the Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
“I am exceptionally proud of the men and women in this command,” said Brilakis. “You are all doing important work for the Navy-Marine Corps team and our nation, and I am proud of having been part of something this special.”
"Kate and I are also going to miss the wonderful people of the Hampton Roads-Tidewater community. Your support to our military helped to make us feel like family."
Hedelund most recently served as the commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. and relinquished command June 13, 2019.
The Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller attended the ceremony and delivered remarks, highlighting Brilakis’s work as a Marine and as the commander of MARFORCOM.
“He’s passionate about what he does as a Marine, just as he is passionate about his family,” Neller said. “I’ve been honored to serve with him and work with him.”

• Date Taken: 07.03.2019
• Date Posted: 07.03.2019 15:35
• Story ID: 330301
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US