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# U.S. Marine Corps Forces South Welcomes New Commander

By Maj. Thomas Perna, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South  

MIAMI – The commander of Marine Corps Forces, South Maj. Gen. Michael F. Fahey III relinquished command to Brig. Gen. Phillip N. Frietze during a change of command ceremony August 7 at U.S. Army Garrison-Miami in Miami, Florida.

Brig. Gen. Frietze most recently served as the deputy director for Capabilities Development Directorate, Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. Prior to that, he served as the commanding officer of 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, and the commanding officer of Headquarters Regiment, 1st Marine Logistics Group. His service education includes Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Joint Forces Staff College, and the Argentine Ministry of Defense War College. Brig. Gen. Frietze is a native of Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Maj. Gen. Fahey is a native of Lavallette, New Jersey, and a graduate of the University of San Diego, California. Since commissioning in the Marine Corps in 1987, he has attended the U.S. Marine Corps Command & Staff College, U.S. Naval War College, U.S. Air War College, and the U.S. Army War College. Past commands held include the commanding officer of Intelligence Support Battalion, New Orleans, Louisiana, and the commanding general of Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserves, New Orleans, Louisiana. Maj. Gen. Fahey assumed command of MARFORSOUTH in August 2018.

MARFORSOUTH is the Marine Corps component to U.S. Southern Command, which is one of the 11 combatant commands in the Department of Defense. The staff of nearly 150 Marines, Sailors and civilian employees are responsible for planning exercises, operations and overall support for the SOUTHCOM assigned area of responsibility, which covers Latin America and the Caribbean.

Through their continued support to the region, MARFORSOUTH builds capabilities and capacity with key partner nations through a range of military engagements and other security cooperation activities. MARFORSOUTH focuses on demonstrating the value and utility of the Navy and Marine Corps team through their enduring presence and personal example, all while strengthening the common defense with the regional partners and minimizing the influence of external state actors.

Due to COVID-19 mitigation efforts, in-person attendance for the ceremony was limited. The ceremony video and imagery can be found at: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/usmcf-s

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SouthMarine Corps ForcesMARFORSOUTHPhillip N. Frietze