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Photo Information

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Christopher A. Feyedelem passes the organizational colors to U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Michael C. Taylor during the Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 15, 2010. The exchange of the organizational colors is symbolic of the transfer of command from the outgoing commanding officer to the incomming commanding officer.

Photo by Cpl. Andrea M. Olguin

New commander takes charge of MWSS-171

25 Jun 2010 | Lance Cpl. Marcel Brown Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

The Former Marine Corps attaché’ for U.S. Embassy Beijing, China, took command of Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 during a change of command ceremony at the Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 hangar here June 15.

Lt. Col. Michael C. Taylor relieved Lt. Col. Christopher A. Feyedelem, who is headed to Philadelphia, Pa., where he will be attending the Logistics Fellows Program at Pennsylvania State University.

Taylor graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May 1993 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant and combat engineer officer.

After completing basic school and Marine Corps Engineer School, Camp LeJeune, N.C., Taylor was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 as the construction section officer-in-charge.

Following his duties in Camp Pendleton, Taylor was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he served as the executive officer and company commander for company Bravo.

After completing his duties at Camp Pendleton, Taylor received orders to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., and served first as a 3rd Battalion series commander, and then as a company commander.

Taylor was then assigned to 7th Engineer Support Battalion to serve as the commanding officer for Company Charlie.

While serving as the MWSS-372 operations officer, Taylor deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Taylor’s personal achievements and decorations include the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal.