MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga. -- Col. Terry V. Williams took command of Marine Corp Logistics Base Albany, Ga., in a change of command ceremony held at Schmid field in front of building 3500 Friday.
Relinquishing command was Col. C.N. Haliday, who took command of the base June 19, 2006, and oversaw many changes to the base’s infrastructure in the three years of his command.
For his dedication to the base, Haliday received the Legion of Merit for his exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service while serving as the commanding officer.
During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Carl B. Jenson, commanding general, Marine Corps Installations East, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., said that Haliday had improved the base enormously since he took command.
“You have done an absolutely remarkable job here. You’ve knocked it out of the park,” Jensen said.
“The renovations that have been accomplished under your command here from the headquarters buildings and across the base.
“You’ve been able to move us out of the 1950’s and get 110 beautiful new private public venture houses built.
“You’ve made some enormous strides in energy saving and energy conservation to the point where we’re saving 1.5 million dollars a year now based on some of your initiatives.
“These types of initiatives don’t just benefit this installation; they benefit this state and this nation. My hats off to you…well done,” Jenson said.
Haliday said he had bittersweet feelings leaving the base that has become his home for so many years. During the ceremony he thanked numerous people who made his job worthwhile and successful.
“I leave with very mixed emotions. I feel like there’s unfinished business, but it’s my time to go. Really I’ve just had the tiller here for three years. The credit goes to the Marines and the civilian-Marines and everybody else who makes this installation work,” Haliday said.
“I want to thank all the civilian-Marines and Marines of the base for their imagination, for their innovation, for their dedication, for the extraordinary effort they put forth everyday to make this complex operation work.”
With Haliday leaving and moving on to the Installation and Logistics Department of Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington D.C., Williams plans to build on his predecessors foundation of reinvigorating the base’s infrastructure and it’s community involvement.
“I look forward to serving with you. I thank you in advance for the outstanding job I know you’re going to do in support of the tenants as well as the local community,” Williams said soon after taking command.
Before departing, Haliday expressed his best wishes to the new commander and his family.
“I want to welcome Colonel Williams and Mrs. Williams and family. You’re getting a terrific base, and the base is getting a terrific command team and I know you’re going to do wonderful things. I give you my best wishes for great success,” he said.
Williams’ personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal with three bronze stars.
Williams is married and has two sons.
He was promoted to the rank of colonel in January 2008, and served as the Operations Officer for Facilities and Services Division, Installations and Logistics Department, Headquarters Marine Corps, in Arlington, Va., before he took command of the base Friday.