By KAREN ROSEN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/18/08

Lt. Col. Paul R. Ozmer will assume command of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 in a ceremony at 1 p.m. Friday at Naval Air Station Atlanta in Marietta, Hangar 1.

Ozmer will relieve Lt. Col. Raymond Mederos, who is retiring. During the ceremony, Mederos will hand Ozmer the flag, or squadron colors.

"There is no greater honor than working with the Marines of HMLA-73," said Ozmer, 47, who moves up from executive officer. He has been with the squadron off and on since 1992.

He expects his tour as commander to last about two years.

Ozmer will remain a pilot with the squadron, which has 18 AH1-W Super Cobra Helicopters and nine UH-1N Huey helicopters.

"You can't make other people do things you're not willing to do," he said.

The squadron, known as the Red Dogs, returned from a seven-month tour in Iraq about three weeks ago. It provides close air support and assault helicopter support and is composed of about 300 Marines, active and reserve.

The unit is relocating to Robins Air Force Base during the summer of 2010 because of current base realignment and closure plans.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/cobb/stories/2008/04/18/squadron_0419.html