Photo By Cpl. Andre Dakis | U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert C. Fulford, the outgoing commanding officer of the 26th...... read more read more
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Col. Farrell J. Sullivan, commanding officer of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), assumed command from Col. Robert C. Fulford during a ceremony at Lieutenant General Julian C. Smith Hall, aboard Camp Lejeune, July 7.
The ceremony was hosted by Maj. Gen. Walter Lee Miller, Jr., II Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general.
“The Marines of the 26th MEU have done tremendous things over the past two years during their deployments as the Special-Purpose [Marine Air-Ground Task Force] and MEU,” stated Miller.
Sullivan promised to maintain the MEU’s high state of readiness and ensure the unit is prepared to be the nation’s global response force.
“I am keenly aware that there are not many Marine Expeditionary Units out there, and this opportunity is special,” said Sullivan. “I promise you when the bell is rung, the 26th MEU will be ready.”
Sullivan recently completed a tour as a planner with the Joint Staff J-8, focusing on Department of Defense global force management and global posture issues.
When Fulford passed the MEU’s organizational colors to Sullivan, relinquishing his command, it marked the end of his two years of service with the unit.
“It has been a true honor and privilege to serve as part of the Carolina MAGTF,” said Fulford. “We were blessed with a great team and the blue-green team is stronger together than when we are apart.”
During his tour, Col. Fulford commanded two Marine Air-Ground Task Forces – Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force–Crisis Response–Africa (SPMAGTF-CR-AF) which deployed to the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility August 2014 to January 2015, and the 26th MEU which deployed to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations aboard the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group October 2015 to May 2016.
Notably, the SPMAGTF-CR-AF provided support to Operation United Response, the U.S. response to the Ebola crisis in Liberia. A 100-Marine detachment, with four MV-22 Ospreys and two KC-130J Super Hercules, conducted over 170 missions, flew over 240 hours, and transported over 1,200 passengers and 78,000 pounds of cargo.
During the 26th MEU’s deployment, Marines participated in four named operations. AV-8B Harriers flew strike missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, a detachment of Marines known as Task Force Spartan deployed to Iraq to provide counterbattery fires, the Maritime Raid Force participated in maritime security operations, and a detachment of Marines supported the Joint Combined Planning Cell.
Col. Fulford is headed to Quantico, VA to take over as the Director of the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Warfare School.
| Date Taken: | 07.07.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.07.2016 13:51 |
| Story ID: | 203316 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 758 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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