3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

 

3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Swan takes command of MAG-11

By Sgt. Lillian Stephens | Marine Corps Air Station Miramar | July 13, 2015

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, California -- Col. Rick Uribe, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 11, relinquished his command to Col. William Swan during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, July 10.

Uribe took command of MAG-11 on June 28, 2013, and during his command, MAG-11 trained, equipped and deployed Marine Expeditionary Units, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, and other contingency operations to support global operations.

According to Swan, the customary length of time a commanding officer serves a command or unit is between 18 months and two years.

“Change brings friction, but it’s good too,” said Swan. “The new commander comes in and [you get] a fresh set of eyes on everything. Ultimately, it’s about the institution. It’s really [about] taking care of those Marines and Sailors that help us accomplish the mission.”

Uribe is slated for Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C. as his next duty assignment. Uribe said the nearly 3,600 Marines, Sailors and civilians in MAG-11 make it a great unit.

“[The years] have gone by way too fast,” said Uribe. “But they’ve been phenomenal. Every mission that we’ve been assigned, whether it’s combat, supporting the unit deployment program, or humanitarian operations, we have been able to accomplish that mission at a very high level.”

Swan previously worked as the Deputy Division Chief, Forces Division, within the Joint Staff’s J-8 Directorate, and said his duty assignment at Miramar is a bit like coming home.

“I have quite a history here at Miramar. [I want to] increase the readiness of [MAG-11] if possible,” said Swan. “We do that [by] taking care of Marines [and] executing basics everyday brilliantly. If we do that, we will maintain our mission excellence.”

Uribe said MAG-11 has a long tradition of mission accomplishment and has confidence in Swan as a leader.
“MAG-11 has been extremely busy and it will continue to be so,” said Uribe. “We fix and fly airplanes. We accomplish the mission. We take care of our people. Knowing the quality of the individual that he is… Swan will be a great commander.”

3rd Marine Aircraft Wing 3rd MAW California change of command COC MAG Marine Aircraft Group 11 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Sgt. Lillian Stephens