DORAL, Fla., --
Brig. Gen. W. Blake Crowe relinquished command of U.S. Marine
Corps Forces South to Brig. Gen. David Coffman during a change of command
ceremony at the U.S. Southern Command headquarters, June 21.
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly, the commander of U.S. Southern Command,
officiated the ceremony and outlined Crowe’s contributions to Latin America during
an address to the crowd prior to passing the microphone to Crowe for his
parting words.
“We get more done with less.
We work these Marines hard, officer and enlisted. We put them up wet every night, and we bring
them back in for more. And we push them hard but that’s how they want it. They do make a difference,” Crowe said about
the Marines standing in formation behind him. “I’m very proud of them—proud to
be there commander even for this abbreviated period.”
Crowe, who served as commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces South
for 10 months, relayed his sentiments of being the commander as he passed the unit
battle colors to Coffman.
“No Marine likes to turn over command, but you have to do it,”
said Crowe. “And if I had to do it, I
couldn’t think of anyone finer than Dave Coffman.”
Crowe turned the microphone over to Coffman, who spoke to the many
distinguished guests in attendance, expressing his appreciation for the
opportunity to assume the role as the commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces
South.
“It’s, of course, a great honor to take the colors and serve as the commander
of United States Marine Corps Forces South,” said Coffman.
He added that he believes that taking care of Marines and their families is a
special privilege and reward as commander.
Editor’s Note: Marine Forces South is
the U. S. Marine Corps Service Component Command for U. S. Southern
Command. Commander, MARFORSOUTH, commands
all Marine forces assigned to Commander, SOUTHCOM; advises the Commander,
SOUTHCOM on the proper employment and support of Marine forces; conducts
deployment and redeployment planning and execution of assigned, attached Marine
forces; and accomplishes other operational missions as assigned.
U.S. Marine Corps Forces South personnel are continuously engaged
in planning, coordinating, and executing the involvement of Marine forces in
Foreign Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief, Counter-Transnational
Organized Crime, and other operations and activities in support of U.S.
Southern Command theater strategic objectives.