MIAMI -- The Marines of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South (MARFORSOUTH) welcomed their new commander Wednesday as MajGen. Cornell A. Wilson passed the unit colors to MajGen. John M. Croley, a resident of Marietta, Ga., during a change-of-command ceremony here.
Approximately 100 friends and family members of the command and other invited guests attended the ceremony, including Gen. Douglas M. Fraser, Commander, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
After nearly a two-year hiatus as commander of MARFORSOUTH, Croley returns to MARFORSOUTH from the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing in New Orleans where he served as commanding general from Aug 2008 to Aug 2010. As MARFORSOUTH's commander, he is now responsible for commanding all Marine Forces assigned to support military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, and for developing partnerships with Latin American and Caribbean nations in a broad effort to strengthen ties with U.S. allies in the region.
In his opening remarks, Fraser, the presiding guest of honor, welcomed Croley back to the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility (AOR) and thanked Wilson for his friendship, leadership and energy; for being a “focused, engaged and hands-on-leader;” and for his “partnership when it mattered – supporting relief efforts in Haiti,” the biggest Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief mission in the region’s history.
You have “mastered complex issues in this diverse and dynamic region” with guidance and leadership that were always on target, Fraser added. Gen. James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps, also welcomed back Croley and thanked Wilson for a job well done, in a letter that was read during the ceremony.
“Your leadership ensured our component was well represented and your insights were crucial in the development of the combatant commander’s theater engagement and security cooperation plans. Your vision and professionalism were critical to the success of major diplomatic and security efforts. In just one example, when disaster struck Port-au-prince, you were there to coordinate support for the beleaguered people of Haiti. The accomplishments are a tribute to you dedication and leadership, and you efforts have a positive and lasting effect on our nation’s security,” Conway wrote to Wilson.
Today marks a bittersweet moment as Wilson closes the latest chapter in MARFORSOUTH history and retires from a distinguished 38-year career from the Marine Corps.
Turning the page, Croley takes over following Wilson's dynamic tenure as Commander MARFORSOUTH, a tenure that most notably included the U.S. Marine Corps' humanitarian and disaster relief efforts following the devastating earthquake in Haiti earlier this year.
Additionally, MARFORSOUTH is also responsible for advising SOUTHCOM on the proper employment and support of Marine forces, conducting deployments and operational planning, and executing assigned missions. These missions include anti-terrorism, counter-narcotics, theater security cooperation, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and training with partner nation armed forces.
Having previously been Commander of MARFORSOUTH, Croley brings with him a wealth of expertise and a “trove of operational and regional experience,” said Fraser. He is a “warrior, an operator, a scholar, but most of all – a commander that leads from the front.”
During his farewell remarks, Wilson thanked his guests and Marines for their guidance, kindness and support, welcomed back Croley and thanked him for his guidance and friendship over the years.
“The main thing I’d like to say is that you can come home,” Croley told the audience. “I do feel like I’m here in front of my brothers, sisters and family that I so much missed over the last two years.”
In addition to his previous post, Croley has also served as deputy commander of Marine Aircraft Group 42, the Air Combat Element (ACE) Commander for a regimental amphibious exercise involving five squadrons in support, the Operations Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Liaison Officer in Kuwait and Iraq, and he facilitated the assault support planning effort for I Marine Expeditionary Force.
Wilson is a 1972 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a bachelor of science in chemistry. Croley earned a bachelor of science in mathematics from the University of South Carolina in 1977, which is significant because this is the first time here that a “gamecock has ever replaced a gamecock,” said Fraser as the audience applauded.
U.S. Southern Command is one of six geographic combatant commands in the Department of Defense. The command's region encompasses more than 30 countries in the Caribbean, Central America and South America. Its mission is to conduct military operations and promote security cooperation to achieve U.S. strategic objectives.