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Courtney’s Cove provides a dedicated space for military spouses to JB MDL

Cillian Crawford, son of Courtney and retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Brendan Crawford, and U.S. Air Force Col. Kathleen Hasson, 305th Air Mobility Wing commander, cut the ribbon to open Courtney’s Cove at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., April 2, 2026. Courtney’s Cove held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of its space for JB MDL spouses to collaborate, connect and promote personal and professional growth. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Almazan)

Courtney’s Cove provides a dedicated space for military spouses to JB MDL

Shannon Eggert, Courtney’s Cove lead coordinator, speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony while U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Paradise Henson, 305th Air Mobility Wing aviation resource manager and Courtney’s Cove program manager, looks on at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., April 2, 2026. Courtney’s Cove is a dedicated space for JB MDL spouses to collaborate, connect and promote personal and professional growth. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Almazan)

Courtney’s Cove provides a dedicated space for military spouses to JB MDL

Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Brendan Crawford, thanks his family for their support in establishing Courtney’s Cove at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., April 2, 2026. A ribbon cutting ceremony for Courtney’s Cove, a dedicated space for JB MDL spouses, was held to celebrate Courtney’s legacy of servitude and officially open the facility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Almazan)

Courtney’s Cove provides a dedicated space for military spouses to JB MDL

Courtney’s Cove is a dedicated space for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst military spouses, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. located in the passenger terminal at JB MDL, N.J., April 2, 2026. Spouses can take advantage of this new resource to grow together, build connections and grow both personally and professionally. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Almazan)

Courtney’s Cove provides a dedicated space for military spouses at JB MDL

Published May 26, 2026
By By Airman 1st Class Matthew Almazan
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. — The 305th Air Mobility Wing unveiled Courtney’s Cove in the passenger terminal at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, April 2, 2026, to honor Courtney Crawford, spouse of retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Brendan Crawford, a former member of the 6th Airlift Squadron.

According to Shannon Eggert, Courtney’s Cove lead coordinator, Courtney lived a life of servitude and was well respected in her community. Courtney was inspired to bring a spouse-centric space to the base after seeing similar resources popping up at other bases.

“(Courtney) was a huge advocate for supporting all the military spouses and building camaraderie and growth,” Eggert said. “She wanted people to feel valued, heard and supported. That’s why we’re interweaving that into the mission and the vision, to honor her legacy.”

Eggert explained that Courtney’s Cove is the answer to an ongoing issue that can affect married military members and may lead to separation from service. The goal of Courtney’s Cove is to increase retention by supporting the spouse and enhancing the quality of life for the entire family.

The facility is filled with desks, computers and lounge areas offering a supportive workspace to military spouses to collaborate, connect, and to promote personal and professional growth, as well as Wi-Fi to enable remote work opportunities. At the grand opening, stories of Courtney’s life were shared and the room was filled with emotion.

“The colors for Courtney’s Cove are from Cillian’s (Courtney and Brendan’s son) nursery from our previous home in Florida,” Brendan said. “It was Courtney’s favorite coastal colors.”

Eggert said approximately 46% of active-duty members have spouses who do not support their military career. Meanwhile, around 45% of military spouses consider themselves underemployed and about 21% are unemployed due to permanent change of stations. This is why it is imperative to support the entire military unit, which includes military families and spouses.

“I think this is a good initiative that is needed at this base,” Eggert said. “There was no place here that we identified for spouses to be uniquely supported.”

Spouses at JB MDL can now freely access this new resource and take advantage of the opportunity to grow together. Courtney’s Cove is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call (609)-754-3414 or email at courtneys.cove.team@gmail.com.