Leadership
Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force
Lt. Gen John M. Paxton
Lieutenant Gen. John M. Paxton assumed command of II Marine Expeditionary Force Jan 18, 2011. Prior to his current assignment he served as the Director for Operations, J-3, The Joint Staff. Additional general officer assignments include the Chief of Staff for Multi-National Force Iraq in Baghdad, Commanding General, 1st Marine Division, Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot/Western Recruiting Region, and Assistant Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps, Programs and Resources (Director Programs).
Lieutenant Gen. Paxton graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York with Bachelor of Science and Master of Civil Engineering degrees. He was commissioned into the Marine Corps in 1974 through Officer Candidate School. A career Marine infantryman, the general has commanded Marines at every level from platoon through division and has served and commanded in all three active Marine Divisions (1st Bn, 3d Mar; 2nd Bn, 4th Mar; 3rd Bn, 5th; 1st Bn, 8th Mar; 1st Mar; 1st Mar Div). Lieutenant Gen. Paxton has also served as an operations, plans and training (G3-S3) officer within Fleet Marine Force units at the battalion, regiment, division and Marine Expeditionary Force levels.
In addition to service in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Paxton has served on operational tours supporting stability efforts in the Bosnian conflict with Landing Force Sixth Fleet (LF6F) and in Mogadishu, Somalia as United Nations Quick Reaction Force (QRF), both while commanding Battalion Landing Team (1/8). Other staff and joint assignments include the Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Navy, Amphibious Operations Officer and Executive Officer Crisis Action Team (CAT) at UNC/CFC/USFK in Korea; and in Strategic Plans Branch, Deputy Commandant Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters US Marine Corps. Supporting establishment commands include Company B, Marine Barracks 8th & I as a captain and Marine Corps Recruiting Station New York, New York as a major.
As well as The Basic School, Lt. Gen. Paxton's professional education includes United States Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School (non-resident), United States Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course, and the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He was a Federal Executive Fellow in Foreign Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution as a lieutenant colonel, as well as a Military Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations as a colonel. He has also been a Marine Corps Fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Seminar XXI.
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Deputy Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force
BGen Christopher S. Owens
BGen Christopher Owens grew up in Oregon and was commissioned in 1982. Earning his “wings of gold” in September 1984, 2ndLt Owens was assigned to HML-367 as an AH-1 pilot, where he served in various billets, deployed with the squadron twice and attended Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course in 1987. He was promoted to captain in November of that year.
In July 1988, Capt Owens reported to 1st Tank Battalion as a forward air controller and later as the Air Officer. He returned to MAG-39 and HMT-303 in August 1989, where he served as AH-1J and AH-1W NATOPS Officer.
In February 1992 Capt Owens rejoined HMLA-367, and served as DOSS, Logistics Officer, and AMO. He deployed with the squadron in 1992, and with HMM-166 (REIN) as part of 15th MEU in 1994, participating in operations in Somalia. He was promoted to Major in September 1994.
Maj Owens attended USMC Command and Staff College in 1995. A distinguished graduate, he was selected to attend the School of Advanced Warfighting (SAW) the following year. Upon graduation, he joined I MEF, where he was responsible for the development of I MEF’s supporting plan for operations in the Pacific Region.
Promoted in July 1999, LtCol Owens reported to MAG-39 the same month, and served as Executive Officer, HMLA-267 and Commanding Officer, HMLA-169. LtCol Owens completed Marine Corps War College in 2003 as a distinguished graduate, and then served as Director of SAW. He was promoted to colonel in October 2004.
Col Owens assumed command of MAG-29 in July 2005. In January 2007, he deployed with MAG-29 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08. Col Owens relinquished command of MAG-29 in July 2007 and reported to USJFCOM, where he served as a department head, then Chief of Staff for the Joint Concept Development and Experimentation Directorate.
Upon selection for Brigadier General in August of 2008, he was assigned as Chief of Staff, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO. Brigadier General Owens reported to his current assignment as the Deputy Commanding General of II Marine Expeditionary Foce in July 2010. His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Navy Achievement Medal. He has accumulated over 4000 flight hours in a variety of type/model/series aircraft.
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Sergeant Major, II Marine Expeditionary Force
SgtMaj Carl R. Green
Sergeant Major Green enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January 1978. In September 1978, he attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina and was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class. In December 1978, Private First Class Green reported to the Marine Artillery Scout Observer School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Upon graduation he received orders to Headquarters Battery, 3d Battalion, 10th Marines, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Reassigned to India Battery, 3d Battalion, 10th Marines, September, 1979, he deployed to the Mediterranean Sea for 6 months under the Unit Deployment Program.
In April, 1980, Lance Corporal Green was transferred to Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Brigade, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. During his tour Lance Corporal Green deployed on three 6 months deployments to the Western Pacific. He was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal in October 1980 and was later promoted to Sergeant in October, 1982.
In July, 1983, Sergeant Green was ordered to Drill Instructor Duty at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina where he served as Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor Fox Company 2d Recruit Training Battalion. He was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant in July, 1985.
In October, 1985, Staff Sergeant Green was transferred to India Battery, 3d Battalion, 12th Marines for duty as the Artillery Liaison Chief. In December, 1986, he was transferred back to Headquarters Battery, 10th Marines, 2d Marine Division and was later reassigned to Hotel Battery 3d Battalion, 10th Marines. While assigned to Hotel Battery Staff Sergeant Green deployed to Okinawa on a 6 months Unit Deployment Program. At the end of his tour with Hotel Battery SSgt Green was awarded the Honor of Saint Barbara Award.
In October, 1989, Staff Sergeant Green was transferred to Headquarters Marine Corps, MMEA-6 and was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in April, 1991. In October, 1992, Gunnery Sergeant Green returned to 3d Battalion, 12th Marines for duty as Naval Gunfire Artillery Liaison Chief. In April, 1995, he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant. In August, 1995, First Sergeant Green was transferred to 2d Combat Engineer Battalion, 2d Marine Division for duty as First Sergeant. In May, 1999, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major and was reassigned to 8th Communication Battalion for duty as Battalion Sergeant Major.
In June, 2001, Sergeant Major Green was transferred to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan for duty as Sergeant Major, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262. During his tour with HMM-262 he also served 18 months as the ACE Sergeant Major with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC).
In April 2004 was reassigned to Major Marine Wing Service Support Group 17 as the Group Sergeant Major. In April 2005 Sergeant Major Green was transferred to 2D Marine Logistics as the Group Sergeant Major, during his tour he deployed is support of OIF 04-06, OIF 06-08 and 09.1 Sergeant Major Green assumed his current post as the II MEF Sergeant Major on 10 July 2009. Sergeant Major Green’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal x 2, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
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Command Master Chief, II Marine Expeditionary Force
CMDCM(FMF) Tammy R. Heap
A native of Newton Falls, Ohio, Master Chief Heap began her Naval service in January 1985. She completed basic training at Recruit Training Command, Orlando, Florida and transferred to Great Lakes, Illinois to attend and graduate from Hospital Corps “A” School.
Master Chief Heap reported to Naval Hospital, Camp Lejeune, NC for her first tour of duty. Her shore and overseas tours include: U.S. Naval Hospital, Rota, Spain; U.S. Naval Hospital, Guam; and Branch Medical Clinic, Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona.
Master Chief Heap’s sea duty assignments include: 2d Force Service Support Group, Camp Lejeune, NC; II MEF Headquarters Group, Camp Lejeune; 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Lejeune; and Marine Aircraft Group 26, Marine Corps Air Station, New River, NC. She has served as the Command Master Chief, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, NC and Command Master Chief, 2d Marine Logistics Group, Camp Lejeune. She’s participated in numerous exercises and operations to include deployments with the 22d MEU in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Al Asad, Iraq and the 2d Marine Logistics Group in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Al Taqaddum, Iraq. She is currently serving and assumed the duties as Command Master Chief, II Marine Expeditionary Force in June 2010.
Master Chief Heap is Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist qualified and a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy. Her personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), the Combat Action Ribbon, and various unit and service awards.
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