III Marine Expeditionary Force, 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade Welcomes New Leadership

Photo By Sgt. George Melendez | U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael J. West presents the Marine Corps to U.S. Marine Corp Maj. Gen. Paul J. Rock Jr. during the 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade assumption of command at the Camp Courtney Theater, July 26, 2019. Rock assumes command as the deputy commanding general of the III Marine Expeditionary Force and commanding general of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. The assumption of command ceremony represents the relinquishing of power from one commanding general to another. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. George Melendez)  

CAMP COURTNEY , OKINAWA, JAPAN

07.26.2019

Story by Lance Cpl. Brienna Tuck 

III MEF Information Group     

Maj. Gen. Paul J. Rock Jr. assumed command as the Deputy Commanding General of III Marine Expeditionary Force and as the Commanding General of 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, July 26, 2019.
Rock’s assumption of command marks his transition into the III MEF Command Element’s senior leadership, where he will oversee deployments, operational exercises, and training throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The mission of III MEF is to foster regional security, advance combat lethality and readiness, enhance military capabilities, and strengthen military alliances, partnerships, and relationships.
“The value that III MEF offers our Marine Corps, our nation, and our allies has always been high,” said Rock. “In these difficult times, that value is only rising.”
In assuming the responsibilities of these new roles, Rock will help carry out Commandant of the Marine Corps General David H. Berger’s intent to modernize and strengthen III MEF as a deterrent to adversary aggression in the Indo-Pacific. Berger’s recently-issued “Commandant’s Planning Guidance to the Marine Corps” refers to III MEF as the Marine Corps’ main operational focus of effort, tasking III MEF to provide the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. 7th Fleet with a powerful, ‘fight-tonight’ force of Marines and sailors.
III MEF, commanded by Lt. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy, is a forward-deployed, expeditionary air-ground-logistics team of over 30,000 Marines, capable of military operations ranging from major combat operations to humanitarian aid and crisis response. 3D MEB, one of III MEF’s major subordinate commands, provides III MEF with an operationally flexible force geared toward rapid deployment.
Prior to his assumption of command, Rock served as the CG for Marine Corps Installations Pacific – Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan. In his new roles, Rock will carry on the legacy of Brig. Gen. Christopher A. McPhillips, his predecessor as both III MEF DCG and 3D MEB CG.
“I look forward to joining these III MEF and 3D MEB teams,” said Rock. “Semper Fidelis.”

• Date Taken: 07.26.2019
• Date Posted: 07.26.2019 03:21
• Story ID: 333104
• Location: CAMP COURTNEY , OKINAWA, JP