Allison takes command of Grissom Marines Published Sept. 23, 2007 GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind., -- -- Maj. Patrick Allison took command of Detachment 1, Communications Company during a special ceremony held Sept. 23 at Grissom. Major Allison, replaces Maj. Scott Willis, who has been the commander since 2003. A native of Eleva, Wisc., Major Allison was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in 1988 and attended the Communications Officer Course in Quantico, Va. His assignments include Camp Lejune, N.C., and tours with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable, from 1990-1992. After the events of 9/11, he submitted a waiver package and was accepted for reinstatement of commission into the Marine Corps Reserve. He deployed with the 1st Marine Division G-6 Staff as the Reserve Liaison Officer between the 1st Marine Division and the 4th Marine Division Communications Company in preparation for Operation Iraqi Freedom. He played a major role in the placement and allocation of both Reserve communications equipment and personnel that supplemented the gaining force command throughout the initial battle for Iraq. He returned stateside and was assigned to Camp Pendleton, Calif., as an operations officer and concluded his tour with the 1st Marine Division as a forward deployed G-6 Operations Officer at Camp Blue Diamond, Ar Ramadi, Iraq where he organized and led the communications team that planned, installed, operated and maintained the communications architecture for the joint forces Battle of Fallujah and for the first Iraqi free election. He is a graduate of Amphibious Warfare School Non-Resident Course, Communications Information System Officers Course and is currently enrolled in the Command and Staff No-Resident course. His military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and multiple service awards and campaign medals. He assumes command of a unit that provides radio, wire and data communications for the Fourth Marine Logistics Group as they support the Fourth Marine Division, Fourth Marine Air Wing and units in garrison in ship to shore movements, and all operations ashore. Major Allison is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roger Allison of Eleva. He and his wife Mary have two children. In his civilian occupation, Major Allison is employed at Raytheon Company in Fort Wayne, where he serves as the business development director for the tactical communications systems business line. Major Willis moves to the 14th Marine Artillery Regiment in Dallas, where he will serve on the regimental staff.
