1st CEB change of command
By Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel
| 1st Combat Engineer Battalion | June 20, 2014
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. --
1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, held a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 18. After 18 months with the battalion, Lt. Col. Andrew Winthrop relinquished command to Lt. Col. Colin Smith.
Major Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, said he met Smith while serving as a company officer at the U.S. Naval Academy. Lawrence added that he has remained impressed by Smith’s performance throughout his career.
“This is an opportunity for you to take a great battalion and make it even better than you found it,” said Lawrence. “I know you’re ready.”
Lawrence described Winthrop as innovative, creative and resourceful. Lawrence said Winthrop led the battalion while Company C, 1st CEB, received training in route clearance and began taking over the task as the Army was pulling out their personnel.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled with what you’ve done with this great battalion,” said Lawrence. “You were handed an incredibly difficult mission and you performed it magnificently.”
Lawrence said that he marveled at the Marines of 1st CEB and their performance in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“Each and every day Marines of this battalion got up, put on their gear, got into those vehicles and drove into the unknown,” said Lawrence.
Winthrop said that leaving 1st CEB was bittersweet. He knew when he received the position that it wouldn’t last long, but he said he didn’t really understand what that would mean to him.
“When I checked in, the general looked at his watch and told me to enjoy my moment,” said Winthrop.
Winthrop said that his success and the success of the battalion was due to faith, his family and the incredible work of the Marines of 1st CEB.
“It’s these Marines standing behind me,” said Winthrop. “They will move mountains for you.”
While Winthrop said he was in no hurry to leave the battalion, both he and Lawrence said they believe that Smith is ready for this responsibility.
“I’m going kicking and screaming,” said Winthrop. “I’m confident that the battalion is in good hands.”
Smith said that returning to 1st CEB felt like coming home. Smith was the company commander of Company C, 1st CEB, before continuing his education at the Naval Post-Graduate School in the fall of 2002.
“I look forward to the opportunities and challenges that we’re going to have as a battalion,” said Smith. “Standby for what’s going to be a fun ride, I can only imagine.”