MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- Lt. Col. James B. Stone IV relinquished command of Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 to Lt. Col. Phillip J. Schendler aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, July 10.
Stone, a native of Wytheville, Va., took command of the squadron in June 2013, saying he had “big shoes to fill.”
The commander of Marine Aircraft Group 31, Col. William Lieblein, said that Stone “brought a positive energy to the command,” and “developed an aggressive training regiment,” and did a fine job of filling the previous commander’s shoes.
Under his command, the squadron conducted multiple field training exercises aboard Ft. Stewart, Ga., and the Air Station.
The Sweathogs also participated in community efforts including erosion control at Hunting Island State Park and tornado cleanup on St. Helena Island.
“I’ve had a tremendous group of team players,” said Stone. “Any successes I’ve had are the successes of the Marines here.”
MWSS-273 provides aviation ground support to the F-18 squadrons of Marine Aircraft Group 31. Their capabilities include refueling, engineering, motor transport and communications.
Stone will become the inspector general aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
Schendler, a native of Erie, Pa., comes to the squadron from the Concepts and Innovation Department of Navy Warfare Development Command in Norfolk, Va., and brings his wife Michelle and three children with him.