Columbia resident to lead Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 773

Lt. Col. William C. Woodward, Jr. of Columbia will now serve as commander of the Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 773.

On May 21, Col. Carl Ziegler relinquished command to Woodard.

HMLA-773, reserve squadron is based at Joint Base McQuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.

It is composed of 200 Active and Reserve Marines and is the only Marine Light Helicopter Squadron East of the Mississippi River. It is composed of fifteen AH-1Z “Viper” fighting helicopters and thirteen UH-1Y “Venom” helicopters.

Under the command of Woodward, the squadron will continue to remain ready and vigilant to support both training throughout the U.S. and the world.

Woodward, his wife and their four children will reside in Columbia as they travel to and from New Jersey to support Lt. Col. Woodward’s Command and leadership of HMLA-773, the “Red Dogs”.