Courtesy Photo | Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer assumed responsibility as the commanding general of the III...... read more read more
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By Lance Cpl. Corey A. Blodgett
III Marine Expeditionary Force
CAMP FOSTER, Japan — Lt. Gen. Joseph F. Weber relinquished his duties as the commanding general of the III Marine Expeditionary Force and commander of Marine Corps Bases Japan to Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer during a change of command ceremony June 20.
Weber, who also held the title of commander, Marine Corps Forces Japan, served as the III MEF commanding general for more than two years, leading many operations and exercises that exemplify III MEF's role as the only permanently forward deployed MEF in the Marine Corps.
Under Weber's command, III MEF participated in more than 180 exercises, in more than 18 countries throughout the Pacific theater while more than 8,000 of its personnel were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
During the ceremony, Lt. Gen. John F. Goodman, the commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, praised III MEF for its many accomplishments during Weber's charge.
"While III MEF was engaged and involved in making a difference with exercises in this (area of operations), they had to deal with mudslides, two or three earthquakes and the remnants of the tsunami from a few years ago," Goodman said. "And they did so phenomenally."
The humanitarian efforts Goodman referred to included relief efforts in the Philippines, February 2006, after a devastating mudslide in Southern Leyte. III MEF personnel established seven evacuation camps, secured the safety of more than 5,000 evacuees and moved more than one million pounds of food and supplies during the operation.
At the same time, other III MEF personnel were assisting relief efforts in Pakistan after a colossal earthquake. Then, in May 2006, III MEF service members deployed to Indonesia to support relief efforts after a magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit the country, killing more than 5,800 people.
Also under Weber's command, III MEF partnered with the militaries of Mongolia, Cambodia, Singapore, Bruni, and Malaysia and supported other allies in exercises such as Yama Sakura, Freedom Banner, Ulchi Focus Lens, Talon Vision, Balikatan and Cobra Gold.
As he did here in Japan, Weber will fill several roles in his next assignment. He will serve as commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command; commander, U.S. Marine Corps Bases Atlantic; and commanding general, Fleet Marine Forces Atlantic.
As he departed, Weber directly addressed his troops for the last time, thanking them for their hard work and dedication during his command.
"I have asked much of you over the last two years, and you've delivered," Weber said. "I love each and every one of you as I do my own children, and I respect your dedication, your professionalism, your commitment and your self-sacrifices you and your families have made. For all that, I will remain forever grateful, no matter where I go. Stay hard, stay ready and take care of each other."
Zilmer comes to III MEF following a tour with I MEF in Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he served as commanding general of 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade and as commanding general of I MEF (Forward) in Anbar province, Iraq.
As Zilmer addressed his Marines and Sailors for the first time, he drove home his commitment and devotion to his new command.
"Be ready because I'll be ready," Zilmer said. "I'm going to give you my very best until the day I hand back those colors to whoever it is that is honored to take command of this force."
A native of Reading, Pa., Zilmer was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1974 after graduating from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education.
His first assignment was to 3rd Marine Division where he served as a platoon commander with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines.
Among the highlights of his career, Zilmer served as the assistant operations officer and a rifle company commander with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. In August and September 1982, he participated in peacekeeping operations in Beirut, Lebanon.
He was then ordered to Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., for duty with the Security Company at Camp David, Md.
Zilmer has also served as the commanding officer of 1st Bn., 1st Marines, 1st Marine Div., as the unit deployed to Okinawa in 1993 to serve with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
In 1997, Zilmer became the commanding officer of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
From June 2004 to September 2005 Zilmer commanded the Marine Air Ground Task Force Command at Twenty Nine Palms, Calif.
| Date Taken: | 06.26.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 06.26.2007 00:54 |
| Story ID: | 10986 |
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| Web Views: | 419 |
| Downloads: | 52 |
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