2nd MAW command changes hands

Updated at 11:58 a.m.

HAVELOCK — Maj. Gen. James F. Flock entered the Marine Corps at a tumultuous time in the nation’s history, right as the Vietnam War was ending.

Thirty-five years later, he’s now ending his military career as a decorated officer who helped guide Marines during successes in battles ranging from Grenada to Afghanistan.

“Jim’s done it all,” Lt. Gen. Dennis Hejlik, commanding general of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, said Friday at Cherry Point. “When you think about MAGTF (Marine Air Ground Task Force) officers, you think of Jim.”

Flock turned over command of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing to Maj. Gen. (Select) Jon M. Davis during a ceremony Friday at Cherry Point.

Flock was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 1975. His aviation experience includes 3,000 flight hours as a pilot in the F-4 Phantom and the F/A-18 Hornet.

Davis started his career in the Marine Corps at Cherry Point, reporting to Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 in 1982 as an early pilot in the Harrier. He would later become an instructor in the training squadron at Cherry Point. In 2003, Davis was assistant operations officer for the 3rd Marine Air Wing staff in Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His latest assignment was as the deputy assistant commandant for aviation.

In leaving, Flock referred to Davis by his call sign, saying “Dog, you’re sitting there in front of the best wing in the Marine Corps.”

Davis said he would be focused on empowering the 17,300 Marines under his command with the training and tools they needed to support what he called the world’s finest fighting organization.

“I’m humbled, I’m ready and I’m honored to be your commander,” he told Marines participating in the ceremony.

Davis referenced the beginning of his career at Cherry Point and New River as he addressed those attending.

“I started my operational career here at MCAS Cherry Point,” he said. “I cut my teeth here but my first flight here at the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing was not here at Cherry Point but out at New River in a CH-46, getting ready to go fly Harriers.

“And now I’m back here commanding what I consider the finest war fighting wing in the Marine Corps. Gen. Flock, we’re going to pick up the torch where you left off and we’re going to move out.”

HAVELOCK — Maj. Gen. James F. Flock entered the Marine Corps at a tumultuous time in the nation’s history, right as the Vietnam War was ending.

Thirty-five years later, he’s now ending his military career as a decorated officer who helped guide Marines during successes in battles ranging from Grenada to Afghanistan.

“Jim’s done it all,” Lt. Gen. Dennis Hejlik, commanding general of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, said Friday at Cherry Point. “When you think about MAGTF (Marine Air Ground Task Force) officers, you think of Jim.”

Flock turned over command of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing to Maj. Gen. (Select) Jon M. Davis during a ceremony Friday at Cherry Point.

Flock was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 1975. His aviation experience includes 3,000 flight hours as a pilot in the F-4 Phantom and the F/A-18 Hornet.

Davis started his career in the Marine Corps at Cherry Point, reporting to Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 in 1982 as an early pilot in the Harrier. He would later become an instructor in the training squadron at Cherry Point. In 2003, Davis was assistant operations officer for the 3rd Marine Air Wing staff in Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His latest assignment was as the deputy assistant commandant for aviation.

In leaving, Flock referred to Davis by his call sign, saying “Dog, you’re sitting there in front of the best wing in the Marine Corps.”