Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8 held a change of command ceremony in the forecastle of multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) while in the Red Sea, May 19.
Capt. Arturo M. Garcia relieved Capt. Mark H. Scovill as PHIBRON 8 commodore.
This will be considered a ‘fleet-up’ assignment for Garcia, who initially reported to PHIBRON 8 as the deputy commander in September 2010.
“There is a fairly long period of preparation before an Amphibious Ready Group gets underway, ” said Garcia.
“Commodore Scovill, who has an enormous amount of experience in amphibious operations, has done a tremendous job leading this squadron and preparing for deployment.”
Born in Mexico City and raised in San Diego, Garcia received his commission upon graduating from the University of California at San Diego in September 1987, through the Aviation Officer Candidate program. His sea duty assignments include Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 35; HSL 41; HSL 51; and served as both the executive and commanding officer of HSL-43.
Garcia’s staff and shore duty assignments include HSL 45 Detachment 1; flag aide to Commander, Naval Education and Training Command; military assistant and trip coordinator at the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Scovill departs PHIBRON 8 after serving initially as the squadron’s deputy commander from May 2009, and then commodore starting in January 2011.
“I have high expectations for the ARG,” said Scovill. “I think the ARG has the ability to handle everything that is expected of them, and I think they will more than meet the challenges that come up.”
Scovill will report to his next assignment at Joint Region Marianas, Guam, where he will serve as the chief of staff.
PHIBRON 8 is currently embarked on board Iwo Jima along with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Iwo Jima is currently deployed and supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
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Naval Today Staff , May 22, 2012