MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 16, Col. Anthony J. Bianca, is scheduled to relinquish command to Col. Chad A. Blair in a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Thursday, at 10 a.m.

Bianca took command of MAG-16 August 8, 2013. Under his command, MAG-16 trained, equipped and deployed numerous combat elements in support of global operations to include Marine Expeditionary Units, Unit Deployment Programs, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response and other contingency operations. His next duty assignment will be Expeditionary Warfare, Directorate CNO Staff.

Blair is scheduled to assume the position of commanding officer of MAG-16 after serving as a Division Chief, U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, within the J-5 Directorate.

Marine Aircraft Group 16 includes ten operational flying squadrons, one Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron, and one Marine Wing Support Squadron.

Interested media must RSVP with the Miramar Public Affairs Office at miramarmedia@usmc.mil or 858-577-6000by 4 p.m. Wednesday.

A uniformed public affairs representative will meet with all media organizations at 9:15 a.m. at the parking lot next to the MCAS Miramar East Gate.

For additional information, please call the Public Affairs Office at 858-577-6000 or follow our Twitter feed @MCASMiramarCA. For MCAS Miramar and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing press releases please visit our Press Release Page.

-USMC