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With the passing of the Marine Corps colors, Brig. Gen. James F. Flock, right, officially assumes command of Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler from Brig. Gen. Timothy R. Larsen, middle. Sgt. Maj. Jeffery Green, left, renders a salute to the outgoing and incoming commanding generals while waiting to take the flag from Flock.

With the passing of the Marine Corps colors, Brig. Gen. James F. Flock, right, officially assumes command of Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler from Brig. Gen. Timothy R. Larsen, middle. Sgt. Maj. Jeffery Green, left, renders a salute to the outgoing and incoming commanding generals while waiting to take the flag from Flock. (Fred Zimmerman / S&S)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Marine Brig. Gen. Timothy R. Larsen handed the command of Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler to Brig. Gen. James F. Flock during a change of command ceremony Friday afternoon on Camp Foster.

Flock comes to Okinawa after serving as the assistant wing commander of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Cherry Point, N.C.

Larsen will stay in the region as he heads to mainland Japan as the deputy commander of U.S. Forces Japan.

Each had a chance to speak to the audience and say his goodbyes and hellos, along with thanking the many local dignitaries and fellow general officers present.

Larsen, who gave half of his farewell speech in Japanese, said this was his best assignment in the Marine Corps. He said this was his fourth time on Okinawa, and each time he has learned much about the Okinawan culture and values the time spent here.

Flock said he was excited to be here and in the few days he has been on Okinawa, he could tell Larsen ran a tight ship. He said he looked forward to the challenge of the command and that Larsen definitely is going to be a hard act to follow.

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