CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN -- Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, held a change of command ceremony for U.S. Marine Corps Col. David Banning, the outgoing commanding officer of H&S Battalion, MCIPAC, who was relieved by Col. Marc Walker, the oncoming commanding officer, on May 31.
Banning was relieved after two years as the commanding officer of H&S Battalion and will move on to MCIPAC G-3, Training, Operations and Planning, as their new commanding officer.
“Col. Banning is a man of action,” said Maj. Gen. Stephen Liszewski, commanding general of MCIPAC. “He has approached the job as a combat arms officer with a bias for action, day in and day out. That’s the way these Marines operate and it’s because of the commanding officer they have here.”
As commanding officer of H&S Battalion, Banning was responsible for the overall operation, administration, and security of over 15,000 residents and personnel of almost 20 tenant commands and organizations of the battalion. This includes over 1,500 Japanese Master Labor Contractors, Government Service employees, Non-Appropriated Funds employees, civilian contractors and Department of Defense Education Activity employees and their family members.
As commander for Camps Foster, Lester, and Plaza Housing, Banning improved facilities and quality of life for base residents by coordinating efforts to improve the safety and security of the camps.
Banning led an international community relations effort between Camp Foster and the communities of Ginowan, Chatan, Kitanakagusuku and Okinawa City through positive connections and interactions with local community leaders, mayors, and tourism bureaus.
Another accomplishment credited to Banning is the relocation of the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment from Camp Hansen to Camp Foster. As a part of the Force Design 2030 projects, this relocation further operationalized H&S Battalion.
“You see in front of you a tremendous battalion that has a wide range of capabilities,” said Banning. “The purpose is very clear. We are here to support families and operational requirements of the field and maintain very strong relationships with the local community. I have to say thank you to the battalion staff for the tremendous work this large unit has done.”
Relieving Banning is Walker, the previous commanding officer of 3rd Network Battalion and most recently, the Assistant Chief of Staff G6.
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Photo by Sgt. Maximiliano Rosas
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Marc Walker, left, incoming commanding officer of Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, takes the battalion guidon from Col. David Banning, outgoing commanding officer of H&S Battalion, MCIPAC, during a change of command ceremony on Plaza Housing, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, May 31, 2024. Banning served for two years as the commanding officer and was relieved by Walker, who previously served as the commanding officer of 3rd Network Battalion, MCIPAC, and most recently as the Assistant Chief of Staff G6. Banning is a native of Oregon and Walker is a native of Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Maximiliano)
From 1991 to 2000, Walker served as a field radio operator and in 2000, Walker graduated from the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training Program in Newport, Rhode Island, as well as the University of Oklahoma as a Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program student with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Walker then officially commissioned in May of 2000.
From 2001 to 2023, Walker served in numerous leadership roles across the globe and reported to his most recent assignment as the Assistant Chief of Staff G6, for Marine Corps Installations Command Pacific in 2023.
Marines from across MCIPAC gathered at Plaza Housing on Camp Foster with members of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force Band to support the ceremony. The ceremony began with a formation comprised of Marines with H&S Battalion.
“I’ve been in Okinawa for a total of 13 years in my career,” said Walker. “There is no better place to professionally develop your Marines as warfighters, there is no better place to raise a family, and there truly is no better place to form a friendship between Marines and the local residents.”
Sgt. Maj. Timothy Anderson, sergeant major of H&S Battalion, MCIPAC, passed on the battalion guidon to Banning who then passed the guidon to Walker, signifying the passing of authority and command. Afterwards, both Banning and Walker gave their final remarks, prompting the end of the ceremony.
H&S Battalion, MCIPAC, serves to exercise command and control over the Marine Corps network of bases in the Indo-Pacific in order to secure and protect the Marine Corps capabilities, strengthen alliances, and expand the capabilities of deployed units.
“This battalion touches the lives of every single Marine, Sailor, and family member who works or lives on these bases in Okinawa,” said Liszewski. “Any operational training here is done on the backs of these Marines.”