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I MEF provides the Marine Corps a globally responsive, expeditionary, and fully scalable Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), capable of generating, deploying, and employing ready forces and formations for crisis response, forward presence, major combat operations, and campaigns.
The award, formerly known as the “Motor Transport Operation Chief of the Year,” was renamed this year in honor of Master Gunnery Sgt. Gerardo Acevedo, a motor transport operation chief who passed away Feb. 3, 2018. - Staff Sgt. Serafin Salazar, Jr., center left, poses with the Acevedo family and fellow Marines after being presented with the Master Gunnery Sergeant Gerardo Acevedo Award on May 29, 2019, during a ceremony at the School of Infantry West aboard Camp Pendleton, California. The award, formerly known as the “Motor Transport Operation Chief of the Year,” was renamed this year in honor of Master Gunnery Sgt. Gerardo Acevedo, a motor transport operation chief who passed away Feb. 3, 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Asia J. Sorenson)
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Jay Hanlon, command inspector general, I Marine Expeditionary Force kisses his wife Heather Pauline Hanlon during his retirement ceremony at the Ranch House, Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan 11, 2018. - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Jay Hanlon, command inspector general, I Marine Expeditionary Force kisses his wife Heather Pauline Hanlon during his retirement ceremony at the Ranch House, Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan 11, 2018. Hanlon served honorably for 30 years as a UH-1Y Huey pilot and instructor, serving in various billets across the Marine Corps, and is set to retire April 1st, 2019. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo)
U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) Peru, arrive in San Diego after spending weeks deployed to Peru and Chile, Dec. 21, 2018. - U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) Peru, arrive in San Diego after spending weeks deployed to Peru and Chile, Dec. 21, 2018. SPMAGTF-Peru is part of U.S. Southern Command’s Enduring Promise initiative and reflects the United States’ long standing commitment of friendship, partnership and solidarity with the Americas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Prado)
Marines with 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, transport canned goods during a hike for those in need at Camp Pendleton, Calif., November 16, 2018. - Marines with 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, transport canned goods during a hike for those in need at Camp Pendleton, Calif., November 16, 2018. Across the battalion, Marines transported individually donated canned goods for part of a 9-mile hike and donated more than 8,600 pounds of non-perishable food items for service members and respective families in need. I MEF Marines are not only called upon for crisis response in the interest of national security, but also work to sustain those in need at home by supporting the wellbeing of individual service members and their families. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo)
U.S. Marines with Service Company, 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, provide security while awaiting the arrival of an aircraft during a casualty evacuation drill at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oct. 2, 2018. - U.S. Marines with Service Company, 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, provide security while awaiting the arrival of an aircraft during a casualty evacuation drill at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oct. 2, 2018. The drill was part of a field exercise the battalion executed providing the Marines realistic combat training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cutler Brice.)
U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lieutenant Timothy Cottell, a platoon commander with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, assists an young attendee into a Light Armored Vehicle during Los Angeles Fleet Week, Aug. 31, 2018 - U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lieutenant Timothy Cottell, a platoon commander with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, assists an young attendee into a Light Armored Vehicle during Los Angeles Fleet Week, Aug. 31, 2018. Los Angeles Fleet Week celebrates and honors the nation's sea services, facilitates annual disaster preparedness training between the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and local first responders, and offers the public an opportunity to have a hands-on experience with Marine Corps equipment and interact with service members to gain a better understanding of how maritime forces support national defense and freedom of the seas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Prado)
Lieutenant General Smith was commissioned through the NROTC program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in May 1985. A career infantry officer, his assignments in the operating forces include Rifle Platoon Commander and 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander in 2d Battalion, 1st Marines; Logistics Officer and Rifle Company Commander in 1st Battalion, 3d Marines; and Commanding Officer, 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, during which he deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
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Brigadier General Rideout assumed duties as Deputy Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force in July 2021. His previous assignment was serving as Director, Military Advisor Group, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation INHERENT RESOLVE based in Baghdad, Iraq from June of 2020 to June 2021. Fleet Marine Force assignments include: Commanding
Colonel Rideout holds a baccalaureate degree in Psychology from Ohio Wesleyan University, a Master of Science in Information Technology Management from the Naval Postgraduate School, a Master of Military Studies from Marine Corps University and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He is a graduate
Sergeant Major Peter A. Siaw was born in Chicago, Illinois and began recruit training in April 1993 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. Upon graduation, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal and continued to Marine Combat Training aboard Camp Pendleton, California, and Personnel Administration School
Master Chief Ziervogel enlisted in the Navy in August of 1989. Following Basic Training in Orlando, Florida he successfully completed the Navy Nuclear Power Training Pipeline. From October 1991 to December 1996 he served as a member of Reactor Control Division onboard USS Nebraska (SSBN 739 Gold) through New Construction and Commissioning,