Col. takes command as joint base opens

WRIGHTSTOWN — The countdown is over and day one has arrived. The long awaited transition from three separate military venues — McGuire Air Force Base, Fort Dix (Army) and Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst — to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst has come to fruition.

The Air Force, Army and Navy have combined to form America's first joint base.

An Oct. 1 Joint Base Commander's Call ceremony ushered in a new era of combined services as U.S. Air Force Col. Gina Grosso assumed command of the joint base. Grosso is also the 87th Air Base Wing commander.

Grosso will provide installation support to more than 40 mission commanders at the joint base.During the ceremony, Grosso welcomed those in attendance and pointed out some of the rich history of Fort Dix, which was established in 1917, Lakehurst, which was commissioned in 1921 as an air station, and McGuire Air Force Base, which was formerly known as Fort Dix Army Air Force Base.

She said consolidating the duties of the three installations will have no impact on the combat capabilities that McGuire, Dix and Lakehurst provide the nation on a daily basis.

Grosso said the U.S. Department of Defense estimates a $2 billion savings over the next 20 years for the 12 joint base consolidations that are or will be occurring.

The new joint base touches parts of Jackson and Plumsted as it stretches across south central New Jersey.

"I want to assure every mission commander that the members of the 87th Air Base Wing will always be there when they need us," Grosso said. "With the creation of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst we instantly have about 1,000 new [Army and Navy civilian support] members. I want to personally welcome each and every one of you. The joint base cannot be successful without you."

Deputy Joint Base Commander Col. Joseph M. Poth, who is second in command, has a significant military police background and has served in multiple roles in the United States and in Iraq. He served as the master of ceremonies during the Oct. 1 ceremony.

"Today's ceremony marks a significant day in the history of McGuire, Dix Lakehurst," Poth said. "In 2005 the Base Closure and Realignment Commission directed the Department of Defense to realign 26 separate installations into 12 joint base installations."

Joint Base McGuire, Dix, Lakehurst is now a reality, he said.

"If you look behind me, you will see some of America's premier war fighting platforms, a prime example of the capabilities at joint base, a C-17 Globemaster II, a KC-10 Extender, a KC- 135 Stratotanker, an Army National Guard UH- 60 Blackhawk helicopter and a vessel from the U.S. Coast Guard," said Poth, who noted the equipment from the three military services. "Togetherwe join forces. We are America's premier joint fighting base capable of projecting air, land and sea power worldwide."

New Jersey Congressman John Adler praised military and community leaders for their work during the transition and for their willingness to work together to resolve a pay disparity issue at the joint base.

After consistent efforts by the congressman, the Office of Personnel Management announced that Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst will be included in the higher New York locality pay.

Officials said this new rule is an important step toward ensuring that all federal civilian employees at joint base will be paid equally for the same job. That pay change will go into effect on Oct. 11.

Adler also noted the work that was done by former Congressman Jim Saxton, who represented southern New Jersey for many years.

"While a lot of leaders [played a significant role], one governmental leader, Congressman Jim Saxton, beyond all others, made this day possible," said Adler.

Transitioning three military bases into one entailed a significant amount of time and effort. Personnel from the 87th Communications Squadron prepared 300 computers to be installed at Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst.

Under the supervision of Capt. Doug Steinert, about 800 personnel from the three services had to be seamlessly integrated into the new joint base.

The 42,000 acre joint base required additional communications towers, telephone switching systems, software upgrades, information technology equipment and more.

Grosso said the joint base's vision is to be America's premier war fighting base. This will be very unique among bases in the United States, she said.

The colonel noted there will be fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft at joint base, coupled with Rangers at Fort Dix and she said there is tremendous engineer capability at Lakehurst.

"This will be a tremendous training location for young men and women, across the total force," Grosso said. "We have wonderful community support and I'm sure this will be one of the Department of Defense's best training platforms."