CAMP SMEDLEY D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, Japan --
Lt. Gen. Terry G. Robling relinquished command of III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan to Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr. Jan. 7 during a change of command ceremony at the Camp Foster parade deck.
Glueck’s command of III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan marks his fourth tour of duty on Okinawa.
Glueck said he has three priorities for this tour on Okinawa: “operational readiness, family readiness and maintaining the unique relationship with the host nation.
“III MEF is known throughout the Corps as the tip of the spear,” said Glueck when explaining his first focus, “meaning III MEF is the ‘911 force’ of choice for (Pacific Command).”
He expounded on his focus of efforts, saying, “(We) have 60 years of trust, understanding and mutual respect.”
Glueck started his Marine Corps career as a naval aviator in 1976. He was initially assigned to Marine Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. After this assignment, he went on to serve as a flight instructor before serving as a presidential command pilot with Marine Helicopter Squadron One at Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico, Va.
He received his first command in 1991 when he was assigned as the HMM-365 commanding officer until 1993.
From 1993-1998, he attended NATO Defense College in Rome before being assigned to Allied Forces Southern Europe and then Headquarters Marine Corps.
Glueck also has experience with the Navy-Marine Corps team. While assigned as commander of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, he participated in: Noble Anvil, a NATO bombing campaign; Joint Task Force Shining Hope, which provided security to refugee camps in Albania; and Joint Guardian, a peace-supporting operation in Kosovo.
From 2003 to 2005, Glueck was the III Marine Expeditionary Brigade commanding general and deputy commanding general of III MEF. During this assignment, he led tsunami relief efforts in the Philippines.
Glueck said coming back to Okinawa is like coming back home, “It’s my home away from home.”
“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve on the III MEF team,” said Glueck.
Robling said goodbye to friends he had made here and told those gathered this tour was special to him.
“We need Marines in the Asia-Pacific region,” he said. “The past 60 years of peace are a testament to those here today and who have served here in the past. I fully expect this to continue for the next 50 years.”
Robling is scheduled to become the deputy commandant for aviation at Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.