MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. – Sgt. Maj. Charles F. Wright took his post as sergeant major of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing's Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1, replacing Sgt. Maj. Bernard C. Coleman during a ceremony on the parade field, July 13.
Coleman, a native of Atwater, Calif., will next serve as sergeant major of Maintenance Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
"This day is a happy and sad occasion," said Maj. Joshua S. K. Gordon, commanding officer of VMAQ-1. "Sgt. Maj. Coleman has been an outstanding sergeant major. Not only have I learned a lot from him, I know our Marines have learned a lot from him too."
In his final address to the Marines of VMAQ-1, Coleman commended the dedication and hard work put forth while deployed and in garrison during his time as senior enlisted advisor.
"I just want you to know that you are the best maintenance Marines," he said, a belief he supported by pointing out the squadron's success in winning the coveted Phoenix Award, the highest annual maintenance award presented by the Secretary of Defense for combat support operations in 2011.
Hailing from Kelso, Wash., Wright comes to the squadron from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, where he served as first sergeant of Headquarters Company.
He said he looks forward to working with the "Banshees."
"Marines, from this day forward I'm here to serve you," he said. "It's my job, it's what I do. But most importantly, I'm excited to do it!"
Wright's career highlights include service in Iraq as communications chief and senior enlisted advisor of a Border Transition Team from Marine Aircraft Group 11. He also deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS Bataan, in support of Operation Unified Protector from March 2011 to February 2012.
His personal decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal with three gold stars.