Lt. Col. Adrian Rempillio Evangelista, who is Tinian’s first U.S. Marine Corps pilot, assumed command of the U.S. Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (VMM-262) at the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan, last May 11.
VMM-262, also known as the “Flying Tigers,” is an active-duty U.S. Marine Corps squadron of MV-22B tiltrotor aircraft. Tiltrotor is an aircraft that can take off and land like a helicopter, but fly fast like an airplane.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang congratulated Evangelista as he assumes his new role. Palacios said Evangelista will play a critically important part in ensuring the nation’s safety and security in his new role.
“His leadership is a testament of our islands’ sons and daughters’ commitment to serve and protect,” said the governor in a statement yesterday.
Palacios said that Evangelista’s high-level recognition will also serve as an inspiration to generations of the CNMI servicemen and women who want to advance personally and professional through the armed forces.
Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider (R-Tinian), who is the vice chairman of the Tinian and Aguiguan Legislative Delegation, attended the change of command ceremony in Okinawa. He said yesterday that it was a historic event to witness one of the CNMI’s own assume such a distinctive level of responsibility in the U.S. Armed Forces, especially during Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Hofschneider said it was even more special to share the moment with several Marines, soldiers, airmen, and their families from the Commonwealth who were in attendance.
View the saipan tribune article here:
https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/tinian-son-takes-lead-of-osprey-squadron-in-okinawa/
