MCB CAMP LEJEUNE -- Brig. Gen. Andrew M. Niebel officially assumed duties as the eighth commanding general of Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune today at Goettge Memorial Field House from Maj. Gen. Julian D. Alford.
In a post-pandemic return to normalcy, more than 300 people gathered to witness the honored tradition of transferring formal authority from one commander to the next. The ceremony was attended by Marine Corps leaders, including Lt. Gen. Brian Beaudreault, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force and Maj. Gen. Edward Banta, commanding general, Marine Corps Installations Command, and members of the local community.
Noting Niebel’s 29-year career as a combat engineer and logistician, Banta said his previous two-year assignment as MCICOM Chief of Staff prepared him well for managing installation issues and requirements.
As a dual-hatted commander of the base and regional command supporting five other installations along the Eastern Seaboard, Niebel will be responsible for promoting the combat readiness of the operating forces by providing state of the art training venues, services and support to the 282,000 Marines, Sailors, families, civilian employees and retirees associated with these installations.
During the ceremony Alford reflected on his 14-years of assignments at MCB Camp Lejeune, but particularly his most recent four-year tour as the installation commander.
“The professionalism of the uniformed members and civilians here has been unbelievable,” said Alford at a farewell ceremony on June 3. “This community -- Jacksonville, Onslow County, and this base -- is really a special place.”
With four commands here under Training and Education Command, Alford said he looks forward to returning to Camp Lejeune on a regular basis after he assumes duties as the commanding general for Training Command at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.
After taking command, Niebel discussed the importance of training and development, partnering with the community and keeping strong relationships. “There are no silos in what we do, everything we do (at this command) is interconnected” said Niebel. “I look forward most importantly to supporting the MEF as we move forward with the challenges of force design and the changes going on in the Marine Corps.”