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SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced Tuesday that Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Terry G. Robling has been nominated to head Marine Corps forces in the Pacific, according to a Defense Department news release.

In addition to taking over as commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific and Marine Corps Bases Pacific, Robling will serve as commanding general for Fleet Marine Forces Pacific, the news release said. Robling had been serving as Marine Corps deputy commandant for aviation.

He will replace Lt. Gen. Duane Thiessen, who took command in September 2010, according to the Marine Forces Pacific website.

Robling joined the Marine Corps in 1976 after graduating from Central Washington University with a degree in business administration and earned his wings in 1978, according to his official Marine Corps biography.

His previous assignments include as a stint as chief of staff, Striking and Support Forces NATO in Naples, Italy. More recently, Robling commanded the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, as well as the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan.

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