New commander for Lejeune-based 24th MEU
The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Sep 19, 2010 9:04:46 EDT
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — The officer who led the Camp Lejeune-based 24th
Marine Expeditionary Unit for four years is retiring, and a new
commander is taking his place. A ceremony marking the change of command, including a formation of 1,000 Marines, took place Friday morning. Col.
Pete Petronzio is retiring after 27 years with the Corps. During his
time as commanding officer, Petronzio led the unit in an offensive
against the Taliban in Helmand province in 2008. His successor, Col. Robert Petit of New Orleans, has spent two years at Headquarters Marine Corps. The unit returned to base last month after an eight-month deployment to Haiti, the Middle East and other places.
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