After 20 years of planning, negotiations and construction, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst officially opened the New Jersey National Guard's state-of-the-art Army Aviation Support Facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Brigadier General Michael Cunniff, the N.J. National Guard Adjutant General, and other officials from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
“At a cost of just over $43 million dollars, this new, well equipped state-of-the art facility will significantly improve efficiency of operations and aircraft maintenance by consolidating the Army Aviation support mission and by ensuring better connectivity, overhead lift capabilities at each bay, and improved safety support systems, including fire suppression,” said Smith, who represents JB-MDL and led the fight to remove Lakehurst from the BRAC list in 1995.
“In an era of shrinking defense budgets,” Smith added, “an investment of this size is a testament to the record of the New Jersey Guard, the merits of the project, the mission it supports, and the strategic importance of JB MDL.”
The new facility consolidates aviation support systems under one roof, which were previously housed separately in antiquated facilities at the Mercer County Airport in Ewing and at Lakehurst. The new facility will provide support for up to 23 UH-60 Blackhawk and four UH-72 Lakota Helicopters, and includes hangar facilities, individual maintenance bays, specialized work and storage areas, and improved personnel academic training areas, mission planning and flight operation spaces.
“The facility enhances the New Jersey National Guard's response to state and federal missions by providing the newest and most efficient aircraft maintenance and training,” added General Cunniff.
Smith, the guest speaker at the event, also praised the men and women of the 1-150th Assault Helicopter Battalion and the entire New Jersey National Guard.
“Rarely have so few been called upon to do so much in a world seething with violence, hatred, terrorism, chaos, natural disasters and war," Smith said. “General Cunniff, thank you and members of the New Jersey National Guard and civilian employees for your extraordinary commitment and critical role in ensuring that Americans and our allies are safe and aggressors are deterred to the greatest extent possible.”
Smith noted the wide variety of missions the New Jersey Guard trains and prepares for including: conflicts in the Middle East, threats from terrorist organizations like ISIS and Boko Haram, and natural disasters such as Superstorm Sandy. “Because you stand in the gap, ready to meet any challenge with courage, tenacity and professionalism, all Americans and people of good will everywhere owe you an enormous debt of gratitude. And Congress has a duty to provide you with the most advanced tools to get the job done."
In 1995, Smith led the fight to remove Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station—the largest employer in Ocean County—from the BRAC chopping block. Later, in 2005, he worked to establish the Joint Base, by merging the three installations into one “mega-base.” Smith continues to work with others to grow and enhance the military value of the base.
To that end, he credited members of NJ National Guard—Colonel Mike O’Connor, Colonel Mike Smith (the congressman’s brother) and others— who 20 years ago hatched the plan for the aviation support facility. He said that their vision not only responded to the critical mission-needs of the Guard but also helped further insulate the Joint Base from closure.
This modern Army Aviation complex was funded in the FY12 Defense Appropriations Act and will help continue the New Jersey National Guard’s long history of providing exceptional, world-class support to the state and country, as well as humanitarian efforts across the globe.
The Joint Base contributes nearly $7 billion to the state economy, and is New Jersey’s second largest employer. Smith’s district includes over half of the Joint Base, and a large portion of Naval Weapon Station Earle in Monmouth County.
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