 There, he took part in counterinsurgency and combat operations in Habbaniyah, Fallujah, Nasser wa’ Salaam and Ar Ramadi.In 2008, then Colonel Ayala was promoted to brigadier general and became the commanding general of 2d Marine Logistics Group at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina (May 2008 to June 2010).During this assignment he again deployed to Iraq with his Group.