 He departed Europe in June 1985 for two years as Commanding Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 12 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan where he flew the A-4, A-6 and A-7 aircraft.In 1987, he transferred to the Naval Space Command at Dahlgren, Virginia, as Deputy Commander.He was selected in November 1988 for promotion to brigadier general and assigned duty as the Legislative Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps/Director of Public Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps in August 1989.