GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Marine Corps Security Force Company Guantanamo Bay, Cuba held a change of command ceremony at Marine Hill June 14.
Marine Maj. Winston Tierney relieved Marine Maj. Jerry Willingham as MCSFCO GTMO commanding officer.
Tierney was most recently attached to the Special Operations Command/Joint Forces Command in Suffolk, Va. Before his tour in Suffolk, Tierney was assigned to the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion out of San Antonio, Texas.
Tierney joined the United States Marine Corps Reserves in February 1994.
Tierney has deployed to Japan for the Unit Deployment Program, Kosovo for Operation Noble Anvil and Operation Allied Force in 1998, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in support of MCSFCO in 2003, and to the Western Al Anbar province in Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Tierney said he was grateful for the turnover of responsibilities and duties by Willingham.
“The turnover has been spectacular,” said Tierney. “I can honestly say in all my time in the Marine Corps I’ve never received such a detailed and thorough turnover."
Navy Capt. Steven Blaisdell, commanding officer of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, commented on Willingham’s contributions to the Naval Station during his tenure.
“Maj. Willingham has served magnificently in the capacity as MCSFCO’s commanding officer,” said Blaisdell. “Command is the single most important element in the Navy and Marine Corps. Our success is totally dependent on the quality of our leaders.”
According to Blaisdell, Willingham trained 20 fast companies and more than 800 Marines during his two-year tour at Guantanamo.
“The fenceline never sleeps,” said Willingham. “Therefore, the support of the Marines there has to be ever-ready.”
Willingham said he appreciated his headquarters staff’s hard work during 24/7 fenceline operations.
“You are my heroes and I have loved working with each and every one of you,” said Willingham. “I will always cherish this billet and tour.”
Willingham will assume command of the Marine Corps Security Force Training Company in Chesapeake, Va., in July.
Date Taken: | 06.14.2010 |
Date Posted: | 06.15.2010 16:17 |
Story ID: | 51440 |
Location: | NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
Web Views: | 696 |
Downloads: | 263 |
This work, Guantanamo Fenceline Guardians Welcome New Commanding Officer, by PO3 Leona Donaldson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.