A new general took command of the I Marine Expeditionary Force at Cam Pendleton this week, with the commandant of the Marine Corps presiding over the ceremony.

Lt. Gen. Michael S. Cederholm relinquished command to Lt. Gen. Christian F. Wortman on Thursday and also retired from the Corps.

The I MEF is one of the Marines’ three principal expeditionary forces. The other two are headquartered at Camp Lejune, NC, and Okinawa, Japan.

Each is made up of ground, air and logistics teams — some 50,000 personnel in all — able to support themselves in combat for up to 60 days.

Marine Commandant Gen. Eric M. Smith said I MEF is critical to supporting U.S. strategic objectives across the Indo-Pacific region.

“This is the iron fist of American foreign policy. This is our war-fighting MEF,” said Smit

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