JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST – It was a day to reflect on the past and look to the future of those involved with the missions and military branches at work at the Joint Base.
In collaboration with the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce (BCRCC) Joint Base officials recently held a State of the Joint Base event. Mission and operational briefings were given by junior military members, highlighting significant milestones and achievements throughout Fiscal Year 2023, to New Jersey’s elected officials and community leaders to increase public understanding of the joint base’s role in local and global communities.
The event also served as a birthday celebration of the base and Jim Saxton who represented parts of Burlington, Ocean, and Camden counties in the United States House of Representatives from 1984 to 2009 was present to say a few words. Before entering Congress, he served in the New Jersey Senate and the New Jersey General Assembly.
Saxton was widely praised across South Jersey for his efforts to remove Fort Dix from the Pentagon’s base realignment and closure lists in 1989 and 1991, McGuire Air Force Base from the list in 1993, and Lakehurst Naval Air Station from the list in 1995.
From 1993 to 2005, the Republican official worked to foster joint military facilities at the three installations. His efforts were rewarded when Congress passed and President George Bush signed into law the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), in 2005.
In addition to saving the base’s 17,000 jobs, the legislation merged the three bases, creating a “mega base” which was the first of its kind in the country.
“The progress that they have made here in moving it to where it is today is amazing. This place almost went away a number of years ago. It makes my heart feel good to see how happy people here are and what a great job they do here and how it fits into the community,” Saxton added.
U.S. Air Force Col. Anthony L. Smith, the Joint Base commander told Jersey Shore Online.com “We have an enormous installation with a lot of military missions represented here and because of that there is a lot of varied missions and services. I’m pretty proud of being here and to witness some of the amazing things that our service members accomplish and being part of this community.”
“This is our first event of its kind, it is kind of like the state of the union but it is the State of the Base and it is really meant to open up the installation to our elected officials, our civic leaders our business leaders in New Jersey to (say) ‘here is what your service members do,’ ” Col. Smith said.
BCRCC President Kristi Howell served as emcee for the ceremony and noted that the Joint Base now employs over 60,000 people and generates approximately $6.9 million annually for the region.
It is the state’s second largest employer and is home to Airmen, Army Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and the Army reserve, the only base in the nation to have that distinction.
Howell introduced a large number of speakers including 87th Air Base Wing Historian James Warrick who provided an overview of interesting historic facts about the base. He said the roots started in “1917 when it was known as Camp Dix and prepared soldiers for combat in the first World War. In March 13, 1939 it was renamed Fort Dix and basic training for soldiers began in July of 1947.”
He noted that baseball great Sandy Koufax, Muhammed Ali, football player Rosie Grier spent time training at Fort Dix and “for three days we hosted Elvis Presley as he out processed from the United States Army.”
Mission Statement
The JB MDL mission, “Warfighters Supporting Warfighters,” reinforces Defense Department efforts to deter and defeat adversaries of the U.S. and U.S. Allies and Partners. The vision as “America’s Premiere Joint Warfighting Base” ensures Total Force members are postured and ready with a credible worldwide force to assure, deter and defend in an increasingly complex global security environment.
As the Defense Department’s only tri-service installation, JB MDL is home to five wings spanning 42,000 acres, with more than 4,400 facilities valued at an estimated $14 billion, officials said. Notable capabilities include airlift, air refueling, combat airpower, global reach and responsiveness, and mission support.
