CAMP PENDELTON, California -- CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA -- U.S. Marine Corps Col. Dawn Alonso relinquished her duties as commander for I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (I MIG) to Col. Brian Rideout at a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 26, 2019.
Col. Alonso served as the commander of I MIG from July 2017 to July 2019.
Lt. Gen. Joseph Osterman, commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force, touched on how far I MIG has come as a new unit in this illustrious Marine Corps.
“We went from what was traditionally a headquarters group management function into an operational capability that the Marine Corps has never seen before, never known before and frankly building the airplane as we’re flying it,” stated Osterman.
The MIG is now made up of six battalions and is full of expertise in leadership and a plethora of hard-charging Marines with a lot of initiative, according to Alonso.
“It’s been a fantastic two years here and I truly am going to be sad to see the I MIG from my rearview mirror,” said Alonso.
Alonso relinquished command of I MIG to Rideout who previously served as the Chief of Intelligence Operations with U.S. Africa Command.
“I believe I’m staring at the pacing unit of the next 21st century fight. It is an honor to stand with you and to join the ranks,” stated Rideout to the Marines.
Alonso will depart Camp Pendleton and move on to fulfill her duties at the Pentagon in the nation’s capital.