MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. - At a meeting followed by military-guided tours today with dozens of community leaders, Congressman Jim Saxton (NJ-3rd) announced emerging details of the coming Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst that are expected to lead to hundreds of millions of dollars of new construction over the next six to 10 years to foster America’s first Army-Air Force-Navy joint installation.
"The new base will not only have Army, Air Force and Navy forces, but also Marine and Coast Guard components," Saxton said. "It’s a true base of the future. I expect that over $200 million of new buildings and facilities will be needed to develop the new megabase. The plans are still evolving, but it is shaping up to be a very significant investment."
Saxton planned to lead the group on a tour of both bases for briefings and site visits guided by the base commanders.
New facilities will be needed to receive up to an additional 47 aircraft and 1,000 personnel. The Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) estimated this to take about $108 million: $42.6 million for Fort Dix, and $65.5 million for McGuire.
Additionally, Saxton said an examination of the Department of Defense’s Future Years Defense Plan to enhance the existing missions identifies over $150 million in construction projects needed at McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The plan includes major basic infrastructure for water and electrical improvements to the McGuire section, barrack renovations at the Fort Dix section and research and logistics facilities at the Lakehurst section.
"We have reviewed the BRAC provisions, and they estimate the cost of bringing the missions slated to come here at $108 million," Saxton said. "In addition, we have identified over $150 million in other projects for the base in the next half-dozen years. My job will be to go to Washington and try to help fund those projects."
Saxton, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, has helped obtain funds for past base projects. The Third District he represents includes Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base, and formerly included Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station prior to redistricting in the 1990s.
On Nov. 7, the BRAC recommendations became law. On Nov. 30, President Bush signed into law $53 million for new projects at the megabase in the 2006 budget.
"Including the $53 million in construction in 2006, we are looking at a total of over $250 million in new construction the next six to 10 years," he said. "This is a blueprint for the future and it is good news. As it takes shape, it will lead to an extensive modernization of the Joint Base."
Some of the attendees Monday include the mayors of the local military towns, county officials, Burlington County College officials, and local veterans. After a welcome and briefing by Congressman Saxton in Mount Holly, the group was scheduled to be picked up by Army transport and taken to Fort Dix. The post commander, Col. David McNeil, planned to host the group of community leaders in the morning. In the afternoon, McGuire’s commander, Col. Rick Martin, plans to host the group with a command briefing, followed by a commander’s tour of the base.
Regarding Fort Dix, the BRAC law:
- Realigns Pittsburgh U.S. Army Reserve Command in Corapolis, Pa., by eliminating its Headquarters of the 99th Regional Readiness Command, and creating a new Northeast Regional Readiness Command Headquarters at Fort Dix.
- Closes Camp Kilmer in Edison, N.J. and transfer and relocate the Army Reserve’s 78th Division Headquarters there to Fort Dix.
- Eliminates the Headquarters of the 77th Regional Readiness Command at Fort Totten, N.Y, and creates in its place a Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Fort Dix.
- Relocates the 244th Aviation Brigade from Fort Sheridan, Ill. to Fort Dix.
- Designates Fort Dix as "Joint Pre-Deployment/ Mobilization Site Dix/McGuire/Lakehurst." The BRAC commission approved sending mobilization assets to Fort Dix from Aberdeen, Md., Washington Navy Yard, Wash. D.C., and New London, Conn. as part of that recommendation
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