CAMP PENDLETON : Two Generals Take Posts

Lt. Gen. Robert Johnston, commander of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, has turned over control of Camp Pendleton to Brig. Gen. B. Don Lynch.

Lynch previously served as commanding general of the 1st Force Service Support Group, which is based at Camp Pendleton. Brig. Gen. Marvin Hopgood took over command of the support group after Friday’s ceremony marking the change of command for the entire base.

Hopgood previously was assigned to the 1st Marine Division, also with headquarters at Camp Pendleton.

Johnston, who served as Army Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf’s chief of staff during the Persian Gulf War, had filled two jobs, including that of Camp Pendleton’s base commander, for the past year. His sole responsibility now is command of the expeditionary force, which is made up of about 35,000 Marines.