Beaufort SC Marine squadron gets new commander

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. (AP) — The 200 members of Marine Corps Fighter Attack Squadron 251 are getting a new commander at the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.

Marine Corps officials say Lt. Col. Michael Sobkowski relinquishes command of the unit on Friday to Lt. Col. Simon Doran.

Doran most recently served as the executive officer for the squadron, known by the nickname Thunderbolts. Sobkowski heads to Miramar, Calif., where he will serve as the new executive officer for the Marine Aircraft Group 11 at the Marine Corps Air Station.

Beaufort’s F/A-18 Hornet jets may conduct aerial reconnaissance missions as well as close-air support for troops on the ground. The Thunderbolts most recently took part in a six-month deployment aboard the carrier USS Enterprise in support of U.S. forces in Iraq.