thedrifter
07-03-08, 06:01 AM
II MEF Headquarters Group gets new chief
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July 3, 2008 - 12:11AM
JENNIFER HLAD
daily news staff
During Col. Raymond Coia's two years in command of II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, the importance of transition teams in Iraq and Afghanistan has grown exponentially.
The transition teams train local police or military forces to take control of security in their region. But the work of training the Marines who deployed with those transition teams fell to Coia and his Marines and sailors.
"Ray has done a lot of pioneering work for II MEF and the whole Marine Corps," particularly in training for transition teams, Lt. Gen. Keith Stalder said Wednesday.
"When (the teams) go out there, they are alone and unafraid ... They have to be ready to go," said Stalder, commander of II MEF.
Coia was honored for his leadership of the unit Wednesday during a change of command ceremony in which he passed the flag and the command of the unit to Col. Scott Aiken.
Coia's "markedly superior leadership, unparalleled zeal and incisive discernment of priorities were critical in navigating the Headquarters Group through a divergent operational and dynamic period," according to a citation for the Legion of Merit award Coia received Wednesday.
But Coia said the honor belongs to the Marines and sailors.
"Today, I really believe, is about you," he told the Marines and sailors gathered for the ceremony. "I'm so proud to be your commander."
After the ceremony, he elaborated on their contributions.
"They've done some groundbreaking work, training transition teams," he said. "They've done whatever we've asked them to do."
Aiken comes from Marine Corps Forces Central Command in Tampa, Fla., for his fourth tour at Camp Lejeune.
"It's almost like coming back home," he said.
The headquarters group is a diverse organization, Aiken said, and his challenge will be "to maintain operational excellence."
Aiken has worked with sub-units of the Headquarters Group before, as well as with transition teams in Iraq. He said he believes the importance of transition teams will continue to grow.
"We have to make sure they're ready for pretty much anything," he said.
Contact interactive content editor Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467. Visit www.jdnews.com to comment on this report.
Ellie
Comments | Recommend
July 3, 2008 - 12:11AM
JENNIFER HLAD
daily news staff
During Col. Raymond Coia's two years in command of II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, the importance of transition teams in Iraq and Afghanistan has grown exponentially.
The transition teams train local police or military forces to take control of security in their region. But the work of training the Marines who deployed with those transition teams fell to Coia and his Marines and sailors.
"Ray has done a lot of pioneering work for II MEF and the whole Marine Corps," particularly in training for transition teams, Lt. Gen. Keith Stalder said Wednesday.
"When (the teams) go out there, they are alone and unafraid ... They have to be ready to go," said Stalder, commander of II MEF.
Coia was honored for his leadership of the unit Wednesday during a change of command ceremony in which he passed the flag and the command of the unit to Col. Scott Aiken.
Coia's "markedly superior leadership, unparalleled zeal and incisive discernment of priorities were critical in navigating the Headquarters Group through a divergent operational and dynamic period," according to a citation for the Legion of Merit award Coia received Wednesday.
But Coia said the honor belongs to the Marines and sailors.
"Today, I really believe, is about you," he told the Marines and sailors gathered for the ceremony. "I'm so proud to be your commander."
After the ceremony, he elaborated on their contributions.
"They've done some groundbreaking work, training transition teams," he said. "They've done whatever we've asked them to do."
Aiken comes from Marine Corps Forces Central Command in Tampa, Fla., for his fourth tour at Camp Lejeune.
"It's almost like coming back home," he said.
The headquarters group is a diverse organization, Aiken said, and his challenge will be "to maintain operational excellence."
Aiken has worked with sub-units of the Headquarters Group before, as well as with transition teams in Iraq. He said he believes the importance of transition teams will continue to grow.
"We have to make sure they're ready for pretty much anything," he said.
Contact interactive content editor Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467. Visit www.jdnews.com to comment on this report.
Ellie