thedrifter
03-09-04, 12:10 PM
Two generals based at Camp Lejeune nominated to receive second star
March 06,2004
Eric Steinkopff
Freedom ENC
CAMP LEJEUNE -- Two generals based at Camp Lejeune have been nominated to receive a second star, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld announced.
According to press release from the Department of Defense, President Bush nominated II Marine Expeditionary Force deputy commander Brig. Gen. Richard F. Natonski and Camp Lejeune commander Brig. Gen. Robert C. Dickerson Jr. for promotions to major general.
Both nominations must still be approved by Congress.
Natonski has seen action in Vietnam, Cambodia and Kuwait. He was part of humanitarian relief efforts in Cuba and Somalia. He took command of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade June 18, 2002. The MEB is a flexible force of between 4,000 and 16,000 troops. It can deploy by itself or to strengthen the position of an existing Marine expeditionary unit.
In late 2002, Natonski brought this force together, which included a large number of reservists, and in January 2003 they left aboard an armada of seven amphibious assault ships bound for Kuwait.
He helped lead a successful campaign with Task Force Tarawa during the war with Iraq. Action included taking heavy fire and casualties around the town of An Nasiriyah and supporting the rescue of Army Pvt. Jessica Lynch before returning home in the late spring.
Natonski, his wife, Barb, and their children are at Camp Lejeune for the third time. Previously, he was commander of a reinforced version of 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment with the 24th MEU in March 1993, and from October 1995 to May 1998, he commanded the 24th MEU. He later served in the Washington, D.C.-area for four years as the director of strategy and plans and later as director of operations at headquarters Marine Corps.
Dickerson, a career logistics officer with 30 years of service, took over as the base commander on Aug. 29, 2003, following a two-year tour as Marine Corps headquarters logistical plans, policies and mobility director.
Before that he spent eight years at Camp Lejeune, the last two of which as 2nd Force Service Support Group commander.
Dickerson said in a September interview that he has moved 20 times in his career. Now, he and wife, Karin, his high school sweetheart, are in a place they call home.
Camp Lejeune initiatives include plans to build new gates at all entrance points to the base to improve security and ease traffic. The military also continues to renovate the Tarawa Terrace and Paradise Point family housing areas.
Another key issue is making room for more people. Between 800 and 1,000 Marines and sailors will arrive when 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment is activated. A yet-to-be-funded $100 million complex is proposed for the 4th MEB, to be built off Lyman Road.
http://www.newbernsj.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/GlobalTemplates/Details.cfm&StoryID=14183&Section=Local
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
March 06,2004
Eric Steinkopff
Freedom ENC
CAMP LEJEUNE -- Two generals based at Camp Lejeune have been nominated to receive a second star, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld announced.
According to press release from the Department of Defense, President Bush nominated II Marine Expeditionary Force deputy commander Brig. Gen. Richard F. Natonski and Camp Lejeune commander Brig. Gen. Robert C. Dickerson Jr. for promotions to major general.
Both nominations must still be approved by Congress.
Natonski has seen action in Vietnam, Cambodia and Kuwait. He was part of humanitarian relief efforts in Cuba and Somalia. He took command of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade June 18, 2002. The MEB is a flexible force of between 4,000 and 16,000 troops. It can deploy by itself or to strengthen the position of an existing Marine expeditionary unit.
In late 2002, Natonski brought this force together, which included a large number of reservists, and in January 2003 they left aboard an armada of seven amphibious assault ships bound for Kuwait.
He helped lead a successful campaign with Task Force Tarawa during the war with Iraq. Action included taking heavy fire and casualties around the town of An Nasiriyah and supporting the rescue of Army Pvt. Jessica Lynch before returning home in the late spring.
Natonski, his wife, Barb, and their children are at Camp Lejeune for the third time. Previously, he was commander of a reinforced version of 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment with the 24th MEU in March 1993, and from October 1995 to May 1998, he commanded the 24th MEU. He later served in the Washington, D.C.-area for four years as the director of strategy and plans and later as director of operations at headquarters Marine Corps.
Dickerson, a career logistics officer with 30 years of service, took over as the base commander on Aug. 29, 2003, following a two-year tour as Marine Corps headquarters logistical plans, policies and mobility director.
Before that he spent eight years at Camp Lejeune, the last two of which as 2nd Force Service Support Group commander.
Dickerson said in a September interview that he has moved 20 times in his career. Now, he and wife, Karin, his high school sweetheart, are in a place they call home.
Camp Lejeune initiatives include plans to build new gates at all entrance points to the base to improve security and ease traffic. The military also continues to renovate the Tarawa Terrace and Paradise Point family housing areas.
Another key issue is making room for more people. Between 800 and 1,000 Marines and sailors will arrive when 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment is activated. A yet-to-be-funded $100 million complex is proposed for the 4th MEB, to be built off Lyman Road.
http://www.newbernsj.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/GlobalTemplates/Details.cfm&StoryID=14183&Section=Local
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: