MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. --
Lieutenant
Colonel Alvin Bryant relinquished command of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack
Squadron 533 to Lt. Col. Mathew A. Brown during a change-of-command ceremony
aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Dec. 10.
Brown is
reporting to the squadron from the Department of Aviation at Headquarters,
United States Marine Corps, where he served as the F/A-18 and adversary
requirements officer.
“I’m looking
forward to the future of this squadron,” said Brown. “I’ll get to be a part of
an outstanding group of Marines and lead them to do great things.”
Brown has
previously served as a ground safety officer and aircraft maintenance
operations officer for VMFA(AW)-224.
“Being a part
of the squadrons on base gave me a lot of experience and worthy information to
better myself,” said Brown. “It helped me learn more about taking care of my
Marines and sailors, to make sure they are well cared for. If they are
physically and mentally strong they will work harder and put more into the end
product.”
Bryant has
commanded VMFA(AW)-533 since June 2014.
Prior to taking
command of the squadron, Bryant has served in many capacities with VMFA(AW)-533
since 2002. His billets held include family readiness officer, operations
officer and executive officer among others.
He has deployed
in support of Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom and multiple
unit deployments to the Western Pacific.
“I’ve learned
and had a lot of fun while serving with 533,” said Bryant. “This squadron will
always be my home and I can’t thank my Marines enough.”
“He would
routinely be the first to shake a Marine or sailor’s hand when they arrived
back to Fightertown, or the last when they departed,” said Col. Robert Cooper,
the commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 31.
Friends and
family were welcomed during the change of command ceremony by service members
and previous commanders of the squadron.
“I am proud to
join a long line of outstanding commanding officers,” said Brown.
After the
ceremony, service members and special guests of the air station were invited to
attend a reception in the VMFA(AW)-533 hangar.
“I wouldn’t be
where I am today without the support of my friends and family,” said Bryant. “Leaving
is a bitter sweet evolution because it can be difficult to leave great Marines
and sailors along with the great experiences I’ve had during my time here, but
it is part of growing as a leader and Marine.”