CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 said farewell to their commanding officer, Lt. Col. David C. Morris, at the change of command ceremony outside the VMGR-252 hangar March 11.
Morris will be headed to the Marine Corps War College in Quantico Va., and his replacement is Lt. Col. Charles J. Moses, formerly the executive officer of Marine Aircraft Group 14.
“Morris is a great leader, and he has kept this unit mission ready and operationally compliant,” said Col. Andrew G. Shorter, MAG 14 commanding officer. “He has maintained a focus on the fight and to other support needed worldwide.”
Morris was the commanding officer for VMGR-252 for 28 months.
“I am truly going to miss the Marines of 252,” said Morris. “I feel it is important for the air station and the Marine Corps to understand how hard this unit works to keep mission ready. At any point in the year we have a part of our unit overseas.”
Moses said he looks forward to the challenge of commanding “Otis” and its endless deployments.
“Right now 252 has a group deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, as well as a unit over in Afghanistan,” said Morris. “This unit will always have groups doing workups for deployment, have another group overseas, and have a group coming home at the same time.”
Moses said his unit will continue to be mission profi cient and forever will be a key factor in America’s 911 force.
“As long as I’m the commanding offi cer of VMGR-252, this unit will remain mission ready and will be on nightly call in case we are summoned to deploy our troops,” said Moses. “We have to maintain the perfect form of readiness within the unit.”
With his final words Morris offered a single piece of advice to his successor.
“My advice for Lieutenant Colonel Moses is it is OK for your Marines to ask why,” said Morris.
“With these Marines here at 252, if you spend the extra few seconds explaining why you want things they will run through walls to get the job done. That is the type of amazing Marines we have here.”
Date Taken: | 03.11.2011 |
Date Posted: | 03.18.2011 09:21 |
Story ID: | 67285 |
Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
Web Views: | 244 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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