MIAMI --
MIAMI— Brigadier General Kevin M. Iiams took command of U.S.
Marine Corps Forces, South during an Assumption of Command ceremony Jan. 7,
2016.
The Marines and sailors of MARFORSOUTH hosted the ceremony
at the Conference Center of the Americas.
The ceremony was attended by the senior leadership of the U.S. Southern
Command and several service members from SOUTHCOM.
General
John F. Kelly, commander of the U.S. Southern Command, acted as the presiding
official for the event. Kelly recognized
the accomplishments of the MARFORSOUTH Marines and sailors, keying in on the
importance of what the component command contributes to the Department of
Defense and SOUTHCOM’s missions. He ended
his comments with a warm welcome to Iiams and his wife.
Once
welcomed, Iiams spoke to the Marines he recently assumed command and addressed
the senior leadership of SOUTHCOM. Iiams
expressed his thanks for Kelly’s leadership and more than 40 years of active
service in the U.S. armed forces. Iiams
also relayed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve in such a unique
capacity as a component commander and that he looks forward to the years ahead
with the command.