MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Col. Jason G. Woodworth, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, relinquished command to Col. Charles B. Dockery during a change of command ceremony at MCAS Miramar, California, July 20.
Woodworth passed command to Dockery after serving as MCAS Miramar’s commanding officer for nearly three years, where he oversaw multiple energy conservation efforts, ultimately leading to MCAS Miramar receiving the 2017 Commander-in-Chief’s Award for Installation Excellence.
“It was already a great place when I took over to be honest,” said Woodworth. “Miramar is made up of incredible Marines and Sailors. We couldn’t do it without any of them.”
As the station commanding officer, Woodworth immersed himself in both the installation’s community and the greater San Diego community – reaching out to many city mayors in San Diego County and establishing a relationship.
“Our mission is simple: support the wing. We have a secondary part of that mission and it’s longevity of the air station, and how we do that is partnership with the community,” said Woodworth. “There is no city anywhere in the country, and I would argue in the entire world, that is just as supportive of its military as San Diego is.”
Dockery, Woodworth’s successor as commanding officer, has experience as in many positions including an operations officer, staff secretary, RQ-21 "Blackjack" and Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) service requirements officer, commanding officer of Marine Fighter Attack All Weather Squadron [VMFA(AW)] 225, deputy directorate for Regional Operations, Chief of Staff, and much more.
“It’s an honor to be here. [Woodworth] and I have been friends for a long time, we’ve known each other for a long time,” said Dockery. “I’m very proud to be coming in behind him and continuing the great work that he and Renee have been able to do at the air station.”
Dockery has more than 2,400 flight hours in the F/A-18D, several college degrees and has received a series of medals and awards. According to Woodworth, Dockery is a capable leader and will be exceptional as commanding officer.
“I came into this job really no having a clue what to expect and I have learned more than you can imagine," said Woodworth. "We truly couldn’t do it without the service members and I am more proud of being associated with them and the entire Miramar team than I’ve been anything else in my entire life.”