‘Blue Knights’ welcome new commanding officer

Photo By Cpl. Deanne Hurla | Lt. Col. Craig LeFlore, the commanding officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), addresses the Marines in attendance at a change of command ceremony held on the flight line here, Sept. 30. During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Richard Fuerst relinquished his command to LeFlore, who previously served as the squadron's executive officer.  

AFGHANISTAN

09.30.2010

Story by Sgt. Deanne Hurla 

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan – Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365, the “Blue Knights,” serving under 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), welcomed a new commanding officer as Lt. Col. Richard F. Fuerst relinquished his command to Lt. Col. Craig C. LeFlore during a change of command ceremony here Sept. 30.
Fuerst brought the Blue Knights to Afghanistan in July to support Afghan and International Security Assistance Forces across Helmand province.
Fuerst served in the United States Navy as an SH-3 Sea King air crewman and search and rescue swimmer from June 1983 until June 1987. Following his U.S. Navy enlistment, he attended Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, and graduated in May 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps through the Platoon Leaders Course.
Following completion of The Basic School, he reported to flight school, and was designated as a Naval Aviator in December 1993 before being assigned to Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 204 for training in the CH-46E Sea Knight.
Fuerst served with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 from June 1994 to June 1998. During this period, he participated in two Landing Force Sixth Fleet deployments with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participating in Operations Deny Flight, Provide Promise, Joint Guard, Southern Watch and Desert Thunder.
In July 2005, Fuerst was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, Weapon Systems Requirements Branch, as the medium lift requirements officer for the CH-46E and the MV-22B Osprey. In September 2008, Fuerst was assigned to Marine Air Group 26/29 to begin refresher training in the MV-22B.
Fuerst’s personal decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
LeFlore began his Marine Corps career via the Platoon Leaders Course program during the summers of 1992 and 1993. In fall 1993, he graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and was commissioned a second lieutenant.
Following completion of The Basic School, LeFlore was designated a Naval Aviator in August 1995 and assigned to HMT-302 for training in the CH-53E Super Stallion.
LeFlore began his fleet tour with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 where he served from April 1997 to May 2002. During this time, he completed two Marine Expeditionary Unit deployments - one with HMM-162 (Reinforced) in 1998 and the other with HMM-365 (Rein) in 2001. He participated in Operations Deliberate Guard, Balkan Calm, Silver Knight and Enduring Freedom.
In February 2004, he was selected to fly to the MV-22 Osprey.
In the summer of 2004, he returned to Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., to begin his transition training at Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204. In August 2006, he was assigned to VMM-162 upon their activation as the second tiltrotor squadron in the Marine Corps. From March through September 2008, he deployed with the squadron to Operation Iraqi Freedom.
LeFlore’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal; the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal; the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal; and an Air Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device.
“Lt. Col. Leflore, you have been with us the whole time, I know I’m leaving the Marines in good hands,” said Fuerst, at the conclusion of his farewell speech.
LeFlore will lead the Blue Knights through the remainder of their Afghanistan tour. They are slated to redeploy in January.

• Date Taken: 09.30.2010
• Date Posted: 10.01.2010 10:48
• Story ID: 57311
• Location: AF