Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst leaders provided local business and government leaders with an overview of the sprawling military installation’s role in both national defense and the regional economy during the recent 2026 State of the Base event.
The event on Sept. 25 was hosted by the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Monmouth Ocean Development Council (MODC), the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), the NJ Veterans Chamber of Commerce (NJCC) and other regional chambers.
Brig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays, the Adjutant General of New Jersey, and other military leaders updated local businesspeople on JB MDL's ongoing deployments and about how deeply JB MDL's global mission is tied to the communities that surround it.
As New Jersey's second largest employer, the base supports approximately 62,000 people and generates an estimated $1.2 billion economic impact in the region. More than 150,000 service members have come through JB MDL to train, work, and engage with nearby towns, building relationships that extend well past the gates of the base that spans 42,000 acres.
Military leaders discussed how the base’s diverse missions contribute to readiness and global operations, including strategic airlift and air refueling, contingency response, Army training and mobilization, and naval aviation research, development, testing and support.
Military missions are strengthened by the relationship between JB MDL and the surrounding communities, where service members, civilians, and their families live and work. Those local connections are what strengthen the people behind the mission and support the readiness and resilience of a joint force tasked with meeting requirements at home and around the world.
"The local communities are active partners in our national defense,” said Dana Lancellotti, CEO of the Monmouth-Ocean Development Council. “The Monmouth Ocean Development Council is proud to connect our business leaders with those seeking local employment while stationed at JB MDL and to bridge strong bonds between civilians and our military neighbors."
Howard Stein, president of Home Helpers Home Care of Freehold, an agency serving veterans, older adults, and their families across Monmouth, Mercer, and Burlington counties, said participating in State of the Base was an opportunity to further educate himself about the base's mission and the sacrifices made by veterans and their families.
Stein is also an honorary commander for the 108th Operations Group (108th OG) at JB MLD, a program that pairs a prominent local business, civic, or community leader paired with military leadership for a one-year term.
"Every conversation I had today put a name and a face to the mission,” Stein said after the State of the Base event. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as an honorary commander for the 108th OG and grateful for the men and women of JB MDL who protect our country and our community. This relationship is essential, and it is on us to engage, work collaboratively, and support them in return."
Col. Michael D. Stefanovic, JB JDL and 87th Air Base Wing commander, said the base brings together an incredible range of capabilities and missions under one joint force.
“Our surrounding communities are a part of that story,” Stefanovic said. “The support they provide to our service members, civilians and families strengthens the people behind the mission and helps us remain ready to deliver warfighting capability for the nation.”
Photo caption: Brig. Gen. Yvonne L. Mays, the Adjutant General of New Jersey, speaking at the recent State of the Base event at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Photo courtesy of JB MDL.
