CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- The deployed Marines and sailors of Marine Air Control Group 28 welcomed a new commanding officer and sergeant major in a ceremony at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Aug. 31.
To support the group’s yearlong commitment to operations in Afghanistan, its Marines and Sailors deployed in two rotations of about seven months each.
“I want to congratulate the first half of Marines on the outstanding job they did out here,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Bajus, the outgoing commanding officer of MACG-28. “I know that this next group of Marines will take it to the next level.”
Bajus relinquished command of the deployed Marines to Lt. Col. John R. Siary in the ceremony at the group’s headquarters compound.
“I am very excited to be out here and to get the job done,” said Siary, a native of Albany, N.Y. “The first rotation of Marines did excellent [work] out here and now we are going to build upon that and keep up the good work.”
The Marines of MACG-28 are deployed out of East Coast Marine Corps air stations, including Cherry Point and New River in North Carolina, and Beaufort, S.C. The group provides airspace coordination, air traffic control, radar surveillance, communications and other command and control support for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), the air combat element for NATO’s International Security Assistance Force in southwestern Afghanistan.
“I feel good about being deployed out here,” said Cpl. Steven R. Hall, a supply clerk with MACG-28, and a native of Houston. “I’m glad I have the chance to be out here and to feel like I’m doing something for the better.”
Connect with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) throughout the deployment. Stay up to date with the latest 2nd MAW (Fwd.) news, photos and videos at http://www.facebook.com/2ndmawfwd.