MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The former Marine All- Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 sergeant major reported for duty as the station sergeant major during a relief-andappointment ceremony hosted at the Building 1 parade deck here today.
Sgt. Maj. Steven L. Brown succeeded Sgt. Maj. David J. Wimberly, who is slated to report for duty as the Marine Aircraft Group 42, Detachment B sergeant major in Norfolk, Va.
Wimberly has served as the station sergeant major since July 9, 2008 and has had a significant influence aboard the air station since his arrival.
“It’s been very rewarding,” said Wimberly. “It is not often that someone has the opportunity to work so closely with the complete running of an air station or the plans for MCAS Iwakuni’s future in regards to the (Defense Policy Review Initiative) and all that entails.”
During his three years here, Wimberly has been a part of the station’s reconstruction projects and the opening of the runway.
Wimberly said the opening of the new runway was one of the most significant events he was a part of during his time as the station sergeant major.
“I remember when this was just a plan that was in the works back in 1994 when I was stationed here during my last tour,” said Wimberly.
Capt. Anthony K. Sutton, station adjutant, has worked closely with Wimberly while handling some of the station’s administrative duties.
Sutton said Wimberly has had a profound effect on the station by being involved with numerous programs aboard the air station.
“He’s had his hands in just about everything from (Marine Corps Community Services) to just the general maintenance and running of the command,” said Sutton. “He’s had a hand in just about all of the various activities and functions throughout the air station.”
Some of the programs and activities Wimberly has been involved in included the Single Marine Program, the station’s Corporals Course and the construction ideas for the station.
Sutton said Wimberly is very detailed and very knowledgeable when it came to working on some of the station’s administrative duties.
One of the station’s programs Wimberly successfully reinvigorated and improved during his time here was the station’s Corporals Course. Corporals Course is a program designed to teach up-and-coming corporals the basics of being effective noncommissioned officers.
“We’ve had the (Corporals Course) for a while, but it wasn’t up to standard,” said Sutton. “He basically took it to the next level. All of the graduates from the Corporals Course were graduating with high (physical fitness test scores) based off his guidance to the Corporals Course instructors.”
Staff Sgt. Anabell Nevels, station freight operations chief, served as the Corporals Course chief instructor from December 2010 – April 2011. Nevels had the opportunity to work closely with Wimberly during that time.
“He was involved,” said Nevels. “He insured we policed the corporals and they got the proper tools to take back to their shop to enforce regulations and to make sure they were good corporals to their Marines.”
In an effort to be involved, Wimberly took time out of his day to speak with the Marines during his director’s brief. He also directed that sword manual and closeorder drill be taught to the corporals during the course.
Nevels has been stationed here since October 2008 and has been able to witness Wimberly’s involvement not only in Corporals Course but also within the community.
Nevels said she’s seen a lot of improvement in the quality of life here since Wimberly came aboard.