ARLINGTON, Va. — The 3rd Marine Division, based on Okinawa, is getting a new commanding general, the Marines announced Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Mastin M. Robeson will take command of the division Jan. 11 beginning with a ceremony at Camp Foster, Okinawa, according to a Marine Corps news release.

Robeson has served as deputy commander of the 3rd Marine Division since 2005, according to his official Marine Corps biography.

He has also served in Liberia, Operation Desert Storm, Somalia, Bosnia and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Robeson, who will continue to command the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, replaces Brig. Gen. Christian B. Cowdrey, who is retiring after 32 years with the Marine Corps, the release said.

Cowdrey has commanded the 3rd Marine Division since 2004, according to his Marine Corps biography.

He began his career in the Marines commanding a rifle and mortar platoon from 1974 to 1977. He later served as commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force Consequence Management for Operation Enduring Freedom from 2001 to 2001 and commanding general of Marine Air Task Force Training Command between 2002 and 2004.