A career aviator who led the Marine Corps’ largest fighting force at Camp Pendleton was lauded for his decades of service and, in his most recent command, for overseeing troops who deployed from the Southwest border to the Indo-Pacific.
On Thursday, Aug. 21, Lt. Gen. Michael Cederholm handed over the battle colors of the I Marine Expeditionary Force, signifying the official end of his duties, with the responsibility of its 44,300 Marines and sailors now firmly in the hands of Lt. Gen. Christian Wortman.
Cederholm, whose pilot call sign is “Homey” and who’s known to have flown every type of aircraft in the Marine Corps inventory, is retiring after four decades.
During Cederholm’s time as MEF commander, which started in February 2024 and was somewhat shortened by congressional delays in general officer nomination approvals, the general drove the effort to enable the expeditionary force to provide command and control for joint operations, helped bring in new technologies such as the Amphibious Combat Vehicle, drone and counter drones, and deployed Marines and sailors across the Indo-Pacific.
On base, he directed the Barracks 360 Reset initiative to improve living conditions for Marines and sailors.
“Homey has served four decades, twice as long as most of the Marines in this formation have been alive,” said Gen. Eric Smith, commandant of the Marine Corps, who came from the Pentagon to speak at the command change. “Won’t be the same Marine Corps without you, but you have done tremendous work here with this MEF. You’ve deployed around the globe and on a moment’s notice. You’ve tried to improve the lives and quality of life for all our Marines and sailors. You can sit down with a happy heart knowing that you’ve given your all.”
The ceremony held on a drill field at Camp Pendleton included a parade of units that fall under the MEF’s command and music from the 1st Marine Division Band. In attendance were high-ranking Marine veterans who once held command positions at the base and civic leaders and residents from communities surrounding Camp Pendleton.
Among the latter were Carla and Jim Hogan, whose son, Lance Cpl. Donald Hogan, a Camp Pendleton Marine, was killed in Afghanistan in 2009. The San Clemente Gold Star parents have been staunch supporters of Marines ever since, founding their nonprofit “Socks for Heroes” in honor of their son, who posthumously was awarded a Navy Cross and a Purple Heart Award for heroism and bravery.
“Thank you for your friendship and overwatch,” Cederholm told the couple.
Smith also welcomed Wortman, who previously served at the IMEF in the 1st Marine Division and most recently led the 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan. The career infantry officer has commanded at every level from platoon to battalion.
Some of his most impactful roles include commanding the 3rd Marine Division, where he led frontline forces, and serving as the senior military assistant to the deputy secretary of defense. He also provided key military advice to the Department of Defense and led the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, where he helped advance innovation to enhance Marine capabilities.
“His career is marked by a wide range of command and staff assignments that collectively reflect his commitment to excellence and mission readiness,” Marine officials said.
“You don’t replace a Homey Cederholm,” Smith said, “But if you’re going to do it, you do it with a Christian Wortman. “It is truly good to welcome you back home. You are purpose-built for this. You’ll hit a new level of excellence here.”
“All I’ll charge you with is take care of these Marines and have them ready to fight and deploy tomorrow because the fight’s coming,” Smith added. “I wish that were not so, but it is.”
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