Carl B . Jensen Major General Carl B . Jensen is a United States Marine Corps general officer who commands Marine Corps Installations East . Biography . Carl B . Jensen graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism , and also holds a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College . Major General Jensen was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1975 through the Platoon Leaders Course . After completing The Basic School , Jensen entered flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in August , 1977 . Afterwards , he reported to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing , where he was assigned to HML - 167 , Marine Aircraft Group 29 , and served in a variety of billets including Ground Safety Officer , Intelligence Officer , and Adjutant . Subsequently , Jensen was assigned to HMH - 461 as the Intelligence Officer for an amphibious deployment to Norway , and upon return received orders to 2nd Battalion , 4th Marines in Okinawa , Japan where he served as the Air Liaison Officer and H & S Company Commander . Returning from overseas , he attended Amphibious Warfare School from 1981 to 1982 , and was then reassigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing where he served in HMLA - 167 , HMM - 365 , HMM - 261 , and MAG - 26 Headquarters . During this tour , he graduated from the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron - 1 Weapons & Tactics Instructor course and held numerous billets including Flight Line Officer , Assistant Operations Officer , Operations Officer , and Group Weapons & Tactics Officer . From 1987 through 1990 , Jensen attended the Armed Forces Staff College , and was subsequently assigned to the Department of Aviation in the Aviation Plans , Programs , and Budget Branch , Headquarters Marine Corps ( HQMC ) . During 1990 and 1991 , he deployed with MAG - 50 as the Weapons & Tactics Officer in support of Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm . Following the conflict , Jensen served alternately as the Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer of HMLA - 367 , and also as the aviation combat element Commander of Special Purpose MAGTF ( Philippines ) during the U . S . withdrawal from NAS Subic Bay . After squadron command , Jensen became the Executive Officer of MAG - 39 , and subsequently attended the National War College from 1995 to 1996 . Following school , he was assigned to The Joint Staff Pentagon , as the Strategic Plans Branch Chief in the J - 5 Strategy Division . During 1998 , Jensen then received orders to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Headquarters , and subsequently commanded MAG - 39 from 1999 to 2001 . Following his MAG - 39 command tour , Major General Jensen returned to the Pentagon for assignment as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy ( Research , Development & Acquisition ) , Expeditionary Forces Programs . Jensen was then assigned as the Deputy Director for Operations , J - 3 , Joint Staff , in the National Military Command Center . In 2004 , Jensen assumed concurrent responsibilities as the Commander , Marine Corps Air Bases Western Area , and also the Commanding General , Marine Corps Air Station Miramar , San Diego , California . In June 2005 , Jensen assumed command of Expeditionary Strike Group Three and deployed in 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom / Operation Enduring Freedom . During this deployment , he twice served as Commander Task Force 158 , commanding all Coalition Naval and Marine forces operating in the North Persian Gulf and Iraqi territorial waters . Further , he served as Commander Task Force 59 , leading the Joint non - combatant evacuation of American citizens from Lebanon in the summer of 2006 . In January 2006 , Jensen was nominated for promotion from Brigadier General to the rank of Major General . In July 2007 , Major General Jensen became Deputy Commander , U . S . Marine Corps Forces Command , and in 2008 , took his current position . Decorations . Jensen ' s personal decorations include :