thedrifter
05-30-04, 10:00 AM
3rd MAW changes commanding generals in Iraq
Submitted by: 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 200452965139
Story by Staff Sgt. Houston F. White Jr.
AL ASAD, Iraq (May 29, 2004) -- Leadership was smoothly transitioned here as Maj. Gen. James F. Amos relinquished command to Maj. Gen. Keith J. Stalder during the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing change of command, May 29.
For Amos, a University of Idaho graduate, the ceremony marked the bittersweet conclusion to an eventful tour of duty with 3rd MAW, which saw him deploy the unit to Iraq multiple times in support of the global war on terrorism.
"My feelings are mixed about leaving because I feel like we haven't completed Operation Iraqi Freedom yet," remarked Amos. "We certainly finished Iraqi Freedom I, but we're not done with Iraqi Freedom II and my thoughts are that as long as Marines and Sailors from this wing are here, I ought to be here with them.
"On one hand, I'm excited about the potential job I have been nominated for at (II Marine Expeditionary Force)," he added, "but the other side, it leaves an ache in my heart because I feel like I'm leaving the Marines and Sailors prematurely."
Upon assuming control of 3rd MAW in August 2002, Amos said he originally set his sights on building upon the solid foundation that was already put in place by the previous commander.
"When I joined the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing it was already in great shape," he explained. "(Retired Maj. Gen.) Charlie Bolden had done all the right things before I got here and the leadership was there, so to be quite honest, there wasn't much that needed to be changed right away."
According to Amos, his objectives changed after he was summoned at the behest of Gen. Michael W. Hagee, who at the time was the commanding general of 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, to begin preparing for the likely overseas battle against terrorism that loomed on the horizon.
"My goals then shifted to purely being able to get 3rd MAW focused on warfighting as a wing," he said. "We spent from August (2002) until we deployed in February (2003) realigning all of our training to focus purely on the Iraqi scenario."
Paramount amongst the dazzling array of missions Amos was able to accomplish during his 3rd MAW term of leadership was the movement to and from the Persian Gulf theatre in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on more than one occasion.
"I don't think many general officers get an opportunity to deploy an air group or air wing (to combat)," Amos offered. "I had deployed before, but not on that large of a scale.
"I had to pinch myself after OIF I to believe that we were able to deploy a wing this large, take it to combat and have it turn out to be such a successful operation from the whole Marine perspective," he added. "To think about being able to do it twice was very gratifying."
In addition to providing him with an immense sense of fulfillment, the deployment of 3rd MAW to a combat environment educated the seasoned aviator as well.
"The biggest lesson I learned was just how difficult it is to get a command as large as the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and move it beyond a (Combined Arms Exercise) mindset," explained Amos.
"It was a lot harder than I thought to get a command this size to the next level, where you really understand that people are going to die and you have to be prepared for everything that could take place on the battlefield," he added.
Accepting the reins of the "Warfighting Wing of the Marine Corps" from Amos, the new 3rd MAW commanding general made it clear that doing so is both a tribute he is grateful for and a challenge he looks forward to.
"I'd like to start out by thanking (Lt. Gen. Wallace C. Gregson, commanding general, United States Marine Forces Pacific) for this opportunity," remarked Stalder. "The privilege of commanding Marines at any level is a high honor, but to be considered to do so in combat is clearly the ultimate.
"It is something I appreciate to the fullest and I am both honored and humbled by the opportunity," he added. "I promise (the Marines and Sailors of 3rd MAW) a level of leadership that is commensurate with your tremendous accomplishments and I will challenge you to improve upon them every day."
At the forefront of those giving praise to his replacement was Amos, who himself has shared a lengthy friendship with Stalder for well over two decades.
"I've known Major General Keith Stalder since we were captains," said the 34-year Marine Corps veteran. "We've never been assigned to the same air group, but we've always been friends and have known each other since we were youngsters.
"He is highly capable and will do a superb job," Amos emphasized. "He's very familiar with the wing, so he's familiar with the area, familiar with the plan and (3rd MAW) is getting a guy that's a good leader, a good tactician and just an all around great officer."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200452971320/$file/001-3MAW-COC-lr.jpg
Maj. Gen. James F. Amos (right) relinquishes the organizational colors to Maj. Gen. Keith J. Stalder, commanding general, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, during the change of command ceremony in Al Asad, Iraq, May 29. The longtime friends have known one another for several decades and first crossed paths as captains. Photo by: Staff Sgt. Houston F. White Jr.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/1D6ED5876FCF8FE185256EA3003BA936?opendocument
Ellie
Submitted by: 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 200452965139
Story by Staff Sgt. Houston F. White Jr.
AL ASAD, Iraq (May 29, 2004) -- Leadership was smoothly transitioned here as Maj. Gen. James F. Amos relinquished command to Maj. Gen. Keith J. Stalder during the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing change of command, May 29.
For Amos, a University of Idaho graduate, the ceremony marked the bittersweet conclusion to an eventful tour of duty with 3rd MAW, which saw him deploy the unit to Iraq multiple times in support of the global war on terrorism.
"My feelings are mixed about leaving because I feel like we haven't completed Operation Iraqi Freedom yet," remarked Amos. "We certainly finished Iraqi Freedom I, but we're not done with Iraqi Freedom II and my thoughts are that as long as Marines and Sailors from this wing are here, I ought to be here with them.
"On one hand, I'm excited about the potential job I have been nominated for at (II Marine Expeditionary Force)," he added, "but the other side, it leaves an ache in my heart because I feel like I'm leaving the Marines and Sailors prematurely."
Upon assuming control of 3rd MAW in August 2002, Amos said he originally set his sights on building upon the solid foundation that was already put in place by the previous commander.
"When I joined the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing it was already in great shape," he explained. "(Retired Maj. Gen.) Charlie Bolden had done all the right things before I got here and the leadership was there, so to be quite honest, there wasn't much that needed to be changed right away."
According to Amos, his objectives changed after he was summoned at the behest of Gen. Michael W. Hagee, who at the time was the commanding general of 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, to begin preparing for the likely overseas battle against terrorism that loomed on the horizon.
"My goals then shifted to purely being able to get 3rd MAW focused on warfighting as a wing," he said. "We spent from August (2002) until we deployed in February (2003) realigning all of our training to focus purely on the Iraqi scenario."
Paramount amongst the dazzling array of missions Amos was able to accomplish during his 3rd MAW term of leadership was the movement to and from the Persian Gulf theatre in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on more than one occasion.
"I don't think many general officers get an opportunity to deploy an air group or air wing (to combat)," Amos offered. "I had deployed before, but not on that large of a scale.
"I had to pinch myself after OIF I to believe that we were able to deploy a wing this large, take it to combat and have it turn out to be such a successful operation from the whole Marine perspective," he added. "To think about being able to do it twice was very gratifying."
In addition to providing him with an immense sense of fulfillment, the deployment of 3rd MAW to a combat environment educated the seasoned aviator as well.
"The biggest lesson I learned was just how difficult it is to get a command as large as the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and move it beyond a (Combined Arms Exercise) mindset," explained Amos.
"It was a lot harder than I thought to get a command this size to the next level, where you really understand that people are going to die and you have to be prepared for everything that could take place on the battlefield," he added.
Accepting the reins of the "Warfighting Wing of the Marine Corps" from Amos, the new 3rd MAW commanding general made it clear that doing so is both a tribute he is grateful for and a challenge he looks forward to.
"I'd like to start out by thanking (Lt. Gen. Wallace C. Gregson, commanding general, United States Marine Forces Pacific) for this opportunity," remarked Stalder. "The privilege of commanding Marines at any level is a high honor, but to be considered to do so in combat is clearly the ultimate.
"It is something I appreciate to the fullest and I am both honored and humbled by the opportunity," he added. "I promise (the Marines and Sailors of 3rd MAW) a level of leadership that is commensurate with your tremendous accomplishments and I will challenge you to improve upon them every day."
At the forefront of those giving praise to his replacement was Amos, who himself has shared a lengthy friendship with Stalder for well over two decades.
"I've known Major General Keith Stalder since we were captains," said the 34-year Marine Corps veteran. "We've never been assigned to the same air group, but we've always been friends and have known each other since we were youngsters.
"He is highly capable and will do a superb job," Amos emphasized. "He's very familiar with the wing, so he's familiar with the area, familiar with the plan and (3rd MAW) is getting a guy that's a good leader, a good tactician and just an all around great officer."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200452971320/$file/001-3MAW-COC-lr.jpg
Maj. Gen. James F. Amos (right) relinquishes the organizational colors to Maj. Gen. Keith J. Stalder, commanding general, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, during the change of command ceremony in Al Asad, Iraq, May 29. The longtime friends have known one another for several decades and first crossed paths as captains. Photo by: Staff Sgt. Houston F. White Jr.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/1D6ED5876FCF8FE185256EA3003BA936?opendocument
Ellie