Photo By Lance Cpl. Kelvin Clark | Lt. Col. Russell Blauw speaks to Marines of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31...... read more read more
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In the Marine Corps, when a Marine leaves a command, his unit wants him to leave with a lasting memory. For the Marines and sailors of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31, they wanted to leave one Marine with a memory he would never forget.
Service members of MALS-31 conducted a squadron run and a barbecue on the Air Station May 5. The run and the barbecue were held for MALS-31 exiting Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Russell Blauw, who had his change of command May 6.
The run began early in the morning with numerous Marines and sailors in their service’s respective physical training uniforms and glow belts. Blauw, along with the squadron’s sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. Thomas Ruppert, led the squadron on a three-mile run throughout the Air Station.
“This run was more than just motivational for us; this was the squadron’s farewell to Lt. Col. Blauw,” said Sgt. Kent Cox, MALS-31 training chief. “It was all of our way of saying ‘thank you’ to him. He has always helped us when we needed it, he expects and demands high quality in everything we do. He is firm yet fair.”
After the run was conducted, the squadron held a barbecue outside the hangar bay where all Marines and sailors socialized with Blauw and the new commanding officer, Lt. Col. William Gray.
“I consider MALS-31 my home unit because I have five years of military experience here,” Blauw said. “The run brought back memories of all the Marines (and sailors) I have ever led.”
Something Blauw says he will miss the most from the service members will be the way they exemplified their integrity, always doing the right thing even when they think no one is looking.
“MALS-31 service members are involved with any and every Marine Aircraft Group 31 deployment or function. They are the ones who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. These service members are the unsung heroes of the Air Station,” Blauw continued.
After leaving the Air Station, Blauw will assume command of MALS-40, a unit currently deployed to Afghanistan, July 4.
Blauw says he feels the command will be in great hands with Gray. Blauw has served with Gray and trusts that the Marines and sailors of MALS-31 will support their new commander as much as he was supported.
“Gray is a great friend of mine and is extremely smart, and he loves his Marines,” Blauw said. “He is very engaged to take the Marines to the next level. I am very humbled and honored to have served as the MALS-31 commanding officer and I will miss them all.”
According to his biography, Blauw graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in April 1991. His first assignment was to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26, Marine Corps Air Station New River.
When Blauw was promoted to major in June 2001, he then reported to MALS-31 and served as the operations officer and executive officer until July 2004.
| Date Taken: | 05.12.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.12.2011 22:08 |
| Story ID: | 70292 |
| Location: | BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 218 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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