Friday Ceremony Installs Lt. Col. Pellegrino As New CO 

Marine Corps Air Station (MCB Hawaii) welcomed its new commanding officer Aug. 6th, during a change of command ceremony. After two years as commanding officer of MCAS, Lt. Col. Michael Antonio of Coral Springs, Fla., handed command over to Lt. Col. Jeffrey “J.P.” Pellegrino. Antonio will be the new director of Operations and Training for Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Pellegrino, a native of Placentia, Calif., comes from the requirements branch of Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation, located at the Pentagon where he served as the Operational Support Aircraft requirements officer. The son of a homemaker and a police officer, Pellegrino knew he would join the Corps since he was 11, when he attended the wedding of a Marine pilot.

“I said I want to be like that guy,” Pellegrino said.

After graduating from the US Naval Academy in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in economics, Pellegrino attended flight school and earned his wings in 1996. He still remembers his first flight in a T-34. He said he was so focused on all the flight procedures it took him awhile to realize he was actually flying.

“It was very exciting and it went by very quickly,” Pellegrino said.

Being a leader is nothing new for Pellegrino, who finds leading Marines the most rewarding aspect of the Corps. But it can also be a challenge. As a maintenance officer for Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252, Pellegrino was tasked to prepare for a wing inspection in a brief time period with only half the squadron available. He said part of the challenge was to keep everyone motivated. Despite the challenge, the squadron worked hard, getting feedback from those who knew what was expected in an inspection.

“I think it’s human nature to give up too soon,” Pellegrino said. “If you keep pushing through the challenges, most of the time you’re going to succeed and the times that you don’t succeed, you’re going to learn enough to where you’ll be able to succeed the next time.”

As a result, Pellegrino said the squadron impressed the inspectors, who had “never seen a unit this solid in the last 18 months that [they’ve] been there.”

When he’s not busy at work, Pellegrino enjoys running or writing fiction. He has two fictional novels he plans to publish, and always keeps a notebook for any ideas that strike him during the day. This is the first time Pellegrino has been stationed in Hawaii and he is excited to be here, ready to start his new position. He praises Antonio’s efforts working with the airfield.

“I intend to continue on that path and ensure that the airfield continues to move in the right direction,” Pellegrino said.

Antonio joined the Corps from a desire to serve the country. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and mathematics from the University of Utah, and attended The Basic School in 1991. After attending flight school, Antonio was designated a Naval Aviator in 1994. He has been on numerous deployments including Iraq, Kuwait, Thailand, Korea and Okinawa.

“His decisions are something the Marine Corps can be proud of,” said Cmdr. Eric Barkdull, the executive officer of MCAS.

Barkdull, who has worked with Antonio for a little more than a year, said he learned how to work with the Marine Corps through Antonio.

“He’s a person of high standards and values,” Barkdull said. “At the same time he keeps family priorities straight as well, which is very admirable.”

“They’ve always done what needs to be done to make the mission happen,” Antonio said. “Twenty-four-seven, 365 days-a-week if required.” [ANN Salutes Kristen Wong, Photojournalist, Marine Corps Base Hawaii].

FMI: www.marines.mil