'Spartans' new commander

By Cpl. Santiago G. Colon Jr. | Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point | April 20, 2012

Lt. Col. Gregory T. Puntney, left, the outgoing commanding officer of Marine Wing Communication Squadron 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Lt. Col. Matthew E. Limbert, the incoming commanding officer, await the arrival of the unit colors during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., April 19, 2012. During the ceremony, Puntney humbly reflected on his tenure as the "Spartans" commander. "It is a singular honor and privilege to be here, on this day, on this field, with these Marines. We celebrate this team and their achievements," he said. "Matt, I look forward to observing from afar how you will lead the Marines and take them to the next level. They are poised and ready."

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- The 'Spartans' Marine Wing Communication Squadron 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, welcomed their new commanding officer Lt. Col. Matthew E. Limbert during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., April 19, 2012. Lt. Col. Gregory T. Puntney, the outgoing commanding officer regarded his experience with the squadron as highly productive and a positive experience.

"It is a singular honor and privilege to be here, on this day, on this field with these Marines," Puntney said humbly. "During my 18 months we deployed two detachments, more than 300 Marines, a little less than half of the squadron to ... four different locations in Southwestern Afghanistan.

"We ultimately supported more than 80 units and 10,000 Marines and enabled command and control."

Puntney also took the opportunity to welcome Limbert and express his excitement in the future of the squadron.

"Matt, I look forward to observing from afar how you will lead the Marines and take them to the next level," Puntney said. "They are poised and ready."