MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Lt. Col. John R. Siary stepped down from command of Marine Air Support Squadron 1 for Lt. Col. Alfred M. Sanchez to become the squadron’s 66th commanding officer, May 11, during a ceremony here.
MASS-1 is part of Marine Air Control Group 28 and acts as a relay for tactical air support requests between Marines on the ground and aircraft above.
Siary commanded the unit since November 2010.
“My time with MASS-1 was very challenging; we faced two deployments right when I took command,” Siary said. “We sent two detachments to Operation Enduring Freedom and two combat tours later, here they are, and they’re looking good today ready to turn over to a new CO."
“Now, I’m going to head down to Maxwell Air Force Base to be an instructor at the Air War College.”
Sanchez said its always about leadership.
“I’m looking forward to working with the team of Marines that are in place now, being able to conduct our mission and doing our part to continue to make this control group the best in the Marine Corps,” he said.