Marines: 1st woman will lead an Engineer Support Battalion

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Marine officials say the first woman to lead an engineer support battalion will take over during a change-of-command ceremony at Camp Lejeune.

Officials said in an email that Lt. Col. Lauren Edwards will take command Monday of the 8th Engineer Support Battalion.

Edwards is replacing Lt. Col. David Morris.

Edwards deployed to Iraq as a company commander and once led more than 150 Marines and several vehicles in defensive maneuvers while taking enemy fire.

The 8th Engineer Support Battalion provides general engineering support to all units with the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force.