US Marine Corps Forces South welcomes 3-star commander

Photo By Sgt. Daniel Barrios | Lt. Gen. David G. Bellon, the incoming commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, passes the unit's colors to Sgt. Maj. Edwin A. Mota, the sergeant major of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South during the MARFORSOUTH change of command ceremony in Miami, Florida, May 21, 2021. Col. McWilliams relinquished command to Lt. Gen. Bellon after serving as commander of MARFORSOUTH since April 2021. MARFORSOUTH is the Marine Corps component to U.S. Southern Command, which is one of the 11 combatant commands in the Department of Defense. The staff of nearly 100 Marines, Sailors and civilian employees are responsible for planning exercises, operations and overall support for the SOUTHCOM assigned area of responsibility, which covers Latin America and the Caribbean. Lt. Gen. Bellon is a native of Fort Polk, Louisiana. Sgt. Maj. Mota is a native of New York, New York. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Daniel A. Barrios)  

MIAMI, FL, UNITED STATES

05.21.2021

Story by Maj. Thomas Perna 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South

Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David G. Bellon assumed responsibilities as commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, replacing Col. Michael E. McWilliams, during a change-of-command ceremony May 21.

Lt. Gen. Bellon, who remains serving as the commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, was confirmed by the Senate on April 29 to serve as the commander of MARFORRES and the commander of MARFORSOUTH. The realignment of command authority was directed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps and allows for more efficient and effective support by the service. This move maintains MARFORSOUTH’s capabilities and provides U.S. Southern Command access to a three-star general officer.

Before serving as commander of MARFORRES, Lt. Gen. Bellon served as the director of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (J-5) and the military deputy commander at U.S. Southern Command. Prior to these positions, he served as the commander of MARFORSOUTH from May 2017 to August 2018. These assignments broadened his understanding of joint and interagency activities throughout the region, establishing a wealth of knowledge of the Latin American and Caribbean region.

During these assignments, Lt. Gen. Bellon initiated the Regional Marine Conference where he advocated training opportunities in the region to the U.S. and partner nation naval services. He has traveled extensively throughout the region establishing personal relationships with several partner nation senior military leaders, and garnered an in-depth understanding of the threats to security in the region and a deep appreciation for the opportunities available to work collaboratively with regional partners in combating those threats.

Lt. Gen. Bellon is a native of Fort Polk, Louisiana, and was raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1987 and the University of Missouri - School of Law in 1990.

Col. McWilliams, who has been selected for brigadier general, will serve as the deputy commander for MARFORSOUTH as well as the deputy commander for MARFORRES in New Orleans, Louisiana, for his next assignment. He is a native of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of West Virginia University. Prior to commanding MARFORSOUTH, he served as the executive assistant for Deputy Commandant Installations and Logistics, Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps. He is a graduate of the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, U.S. Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting, and The Eisenhower School, which is formerly known as the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Before his assignment at Installations and Logistics, Col. McWilliams served as the commanding officer of Combat Logistics Battalion 8 and the commanding officer Combat Logistics Regiment 2.

MARFORSOUTH is the U.S. Marine Corps service component command for U. S. Southern Command, which is one of the 11 combatant commands in the Department of Defense. MARFORSOUTH is responsible for planning exercises, operations and overall support for the USSOUTHCOM assigned area of responsibility, covering Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Due to COVID-19 mitigation efforts, in-person attendance for the ceremony was limited. The ceremony imagery can be found at: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/usmcf-s
Media interested in amplifying information should contact the MARFORSOUTH Communication Strategy and Operations office at 305-437-2554 or via email at [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 05.21.2021
• Date Posted: 05.21.2021 13:26
• Story ID: 396976
• Location: MIAMI, FL, US
• Hometown: DOWNINGTOWN, PA, US
• Hometown: FORT JOHNSON, LA, US