(Tribune News Service) — In a change of command ceremony, Lt. Gen. George W. Smith Jr. relinquished command of the Marine Corps’ largest warfighting unit at Camp Pendleton, but a delay in the confirmation process means his permanent replacement remains in limbo.

In the interim, Maj. Gen. Bradford J. Gering, who most recently led the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Miramar, has been tapped to lead I Marine Expeditionary Force. He took over on Friday, Aug. 18, during a change of command ceremony held at the base.

Smith is retiring after 40 years of service.

Gering, who was slated to head to the Pentagon to take over as the deputy commandant of aviation at the Marine Corps headquarters, instead will oversee the Camp Pendleton 1MEF while the Marines wait for the confirmation of  Lt. Gen. Michael Cederholm, who was nominated earlier this year to command the force of 48,000 Marines.

Cederholm couldn’t make the move from the East Coast because of a Senate hold-up over military confirmations that is stalling promotions and postings for at least 300 senior-level military jobs across the Department of Defense. He is presently the deputy commandant of aviation.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, has been refusing to vote on confirmations since February.

Tuberville has said he disagrees with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s decision to have the Defense Department pay for travel when a service member has to go out of state for abortion services or other reproductive health care. Tuberville said the DOD’s decision to continue these services is a violation of the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funds from being used for abortions.

The hold on confirmations is impacting military officers and their families across the Department of Defense who, during the summer months, report to new commands at bases across the nation and overseas. It has also created this sort of musical chairs shuffle at Camp Pendleton, one of the Marines’ most active bases.

Gering’s posting to Camp Pendleton in the interim delays his promotion to lieutenant general and orders to take over as deputy commandant of aviation.

“The recent uncertainty around Senate-confirmed billets complicates the transition between leadership but will not prevent this MEF from accomplishing its missions,” said 1st Lt. Sean Waterman, a 1MEF spokesperson.

During the change of command ceremony, Smith was praised for his accomplishments during his tenure, which began in September 2021.  As the MEF commander, Smith oversaw an increase in the number and size of deployments to the Indo-Pacific, including a deployment of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the first Marine deployment in years to spend its entire time in the Western Pacific region. The Marines and sailors trained with allied forces in eight countries and partnering in multi-national exercises. The 13th MEU returned home in June.

“We are laser-focused on the Indo-Pacific, as directed, but make no mistake, this MEF is prepared to fight and win in any clime and place,” Smith said. “If you are to question that, I’ll tell you, over the course of the last year, Marines and sailors from this MEF have operated and exercised in every geographic combatant command.”

Gering, who had previous experience with the MEF during his time at Miramar, promised to continue in Smith’s steps.

“I promise you that during my time here,” he said, “that trajectory and warrior climate will continue on my watch.”

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