CAMP COURTNEY, OKINAWA, Japan -- Military service members are familiar with teamwork and know the importance of working together to accomplish the mission. But it is a special occasion when the teamwork of just two members enhances the mission success of an entire Marine Expeditionary Force.

Two dedicated individuals, one a civilian Marine and the other a Marine officer, both working on the III Marine Expeditionary Force staff, recently were awarded for their efforts and contributions to mission success during a ceremony here, May 20.

Maj. John G. Lehane, Northeast Asia lead planner, G-5 plans, III MEF, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his extensive multilateral work and superior operational planning in support of wide-ranging III MEF operations and exercises over his three-year tour.

Ian D. Macleod, Center for Naval Analysis representative to III MEF, was awarded the Commendation for Meritorious Civilian Service for his work within III MEF, providing well-developed, insightful analyses and decision support tools to the III MEF commanding general and his staff for the past three years.

The significance of their awards reaches far beyond their individual efforts and represents an intertwined and mutually supportive history of service to the Marine Corps, beginning in 2006 at the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1, in Yuma, Ariz. Lehane was an instructor in the Ground Combat Department and worked closely with Macleod who was the squadron's Center for Naval Analyses representative.

“The relationship of mutual trust and respect forged by these two Marines, one in a button-down shirt, one in camouflage uniform, is the epitome of how the analyst-Marine relationship should work,” said Col. Allen S. Ford, G-5 plans officer, III MEF. “Their hard work and dedication helped facilitate decision making on complex issues, which have directly contributed to III MEF’s successes in the Asia- Pacific region.”

“Mr. Macleod is a leader,” said Lt. Col. Scott D. MacDonald, G-5 assistant plans officer, III MEF. “He challenges us to take another look at how we are operating, illustrates how accepted ways of doing things might be slowing us down, and provides unique insights that help us improve.”

“Ian is the epitome of the ‘Civilian Marine,’” said Ford. “He shares our burdens and throws himself into direct support of the Marines on the ground.”

Macleod shares the trait of giving one’s all to overcome challenges, with the other award recipient, Lehane, according to MacDonald.

“Major Lehane has been at the heart of III MEF’s efforts on the Korean peninsula,” said Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck, commanding general, III MEF. “He has proven his worth as a trusted advisor and expert planner.”

Together at III MEF, Lehane and Macleod worked on Korean operations, as well as on the large-scale realities of early Operation Tomodachi and Operation Pacific Passage planning.

“Mr. Macleod integrated and understood Marine Corps operations and was able to provide immediately relevant insight and recommendations,” said McDonald. “He acted as a force-multiplier for the Marine Corps, and from that Maj. Lehane was able to harness his quality input and directly apply it to improve operations.”

According to co-workers, though no one told him to report, Macleod was one of the earliest members of the MEF staff to report to the command in the hours after the March 11, 2011 9.0 earthquake in mainland Japan and begin planning for what would become III MEF’s response to Operation Tomodachi. He also produced quality studies on various exercises throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines Amphibious Landing Exercise, Nepal disaster planning, Korean theater operations and many 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade plans.

Macleod has been credited by many who work with him not only with in-depth, cognitive analysis of military operations, but with the ability to communicate his findings in an easy-to-understand manner.

“Major Lehane and Mr. Macleod are both long-ball hitters who have been hugely involved in all the major planning efforts we have done in III MEF. They have done an absolutely superb job working together to make us successful,” said Glueck.

Lehane and Macleod will soon part ways as their tours with III MEF come to an end.

“I will miss working with Ian. We consistently used each other as sounding boards for ideas, brainstorming sessions, and some more mundane activities like proofreading each other’s
work,” said Lehane. “He contributed immeasurably to the mission, and I hope to serve alongside him again someday.”

“I will miss working next to Major Lehane both personally and professionally,” said Macleod. “More than anyone else, he kept me on my toes analytically and challenged me to be better. I consider him a very good friend and hope that I have a chance to serve with him in the future.