thedrifter
11-14-08, 07:56 AM
Marines Change of Command
Onslow - 11/13/2008
The Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune has some new leadership, a ceremony this afternoon marked the change of command. Colonel Daniel Masur will now head up the special operations advisor group. Masur replaces Colonel Michael Peznola.
The Marine Special Operations Advisor Group helps train, advise, and assist friendly host-nation forces in the war on terror. Units within this group have already operated in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia.
Ellie
thedrifter
11-14-08, 07:56 AM
Peznola passes MSOAG to Masur
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November 13, 2008 - 7:04PM
JENNIFER HLAD
When Col. Michael Peznola first took command of Marine Special Operations Advisor Group in July 2006, there were only four teams of Marines. But he built, trained and organized the unit, growing it to 18 teams that have conducted operations in more than 20 countries.
Thursday, Peznola passed the flag of MSOAG, Marine Special Operations Command, to Col. Daniel Masur in what he called a bittersweet moment.
"Man, it was tough to give up those colors," Peznola said. "But no better man to turn it over to."
Peznola's work as the second commander of MSOAG was groundbreaking and historic, said Maj. Gen. Mastin Robeson, commander of MarSOC.
"We took a guy, we gave him a mission without any of the tools to do the mission," he said.
The unit's job was "to go to countries Marines had never been before and do things Marines had never done before," Robeson said, and Peznola developed the training and laid the groundwork for the future of the unit.
The Marines of MSOAG travel in small teams to countries around the world, such as Chad, Kazakhstan and Yemen, to mentor and train foreign forces. Peznola said the Marines help the countries help themselves, but also build a relationship with the country as partners in fighting the war against terrorism.
"The next ridgeline - that's where our guys deploy," Peznola said. "They are building that trust, securing that trust with the partner nations."
Peznola called his time at the helm of MSOAG "a whirlwind."
It was "energizing, frustrating at times ... but I like that," he said. "Definitely not boring."
Peznola and Robeson praised Masur as the best choice to take over command of MSOAG. Masur previously served as assistant chief of staff for MarSOC.
"He understands special operations, he understands the command," Robeson said.
Masur, who lives near Peznola on base, said he knows how much Peznola has done for the unit.
"It doesn't look like he has that big of feet, but he does leave some pretty big boots to fill," he said.
Peznola will move to Germany to serve as assistant chief of staff at Headquarters, United States European Command.
Contact interactive content editor and military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467.
Ellie