II MEF Headquarters Group changes hands

7/2/2010 By Cpl. Katherine Keleher , II MEF

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.

Col. Michael M. Sweeney took command of II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 1, 2010.

The former commanding officer, Col. Scott D. Aiken, was responsible for the drawdown of the last Marine fleet unit out of Iraq. He will now take charge as the II MEF operations officer.

As the former commanding officer of 8th Communications Battalion, which is a subordinate unit of II MHG, Sweeney is more than ready to lead his Marines during their next Afghanistan deployment scheduled for 2011.

“To the Marines of II MHG, I am honored and privileged to serve with you,” said Sweeney.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-Col. Scott D. Aiken (right), former commanding officer of II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, hands over the organizational battle color to the group’s incoming commanding officer, Col. Michael M. Sweeney during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 1. Aiken, who was in command of II MHG since 2008, will go on to become the II MEF operations officer., Cpl. Katherine Keleher, 7/1/2010 5:23 AM
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-Col. Scott D. Aiken (right), former commanding officer of II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, shakes hands with Col. Michael M. Sweeney, the incoming commanding officer of II MHG, during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 1. Aiken will go on to be the II MEF operations officer. , Cpl. Katherine Keleher, 7/1/2010 5:23 AM
MARINE CORPS BASE LEJEUNE, N.C.-Col. Michael M. Sweeney, the new commanding officer of II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, addresses Marines, sailors and civilians in attendance of his change of command ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 1. , Cpl. Katherine Keleher, 7/1/2010 5:43 AM
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-Col. Michael M. Sweeney, the incoming commanding officer of II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, takes charge of his Marines during his change of command ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 1. The former commanding officer of II MHG, Col. Scott D. Aiken, has become the II MEF operations officer. , Cpl. Katherine Keleher, 7/1/2010 5:49 AM