Construction underway for new MFSC

(Left to Right) Joan Cole, Military and Family Support Center chief; Army Lt. Col. Michael Clancy, New York District’s U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deputy commander; Col. Joseph Poth, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst deputy commander; Command Master Chief Herbert Kelton, Naval Support Activity-Lakehurst command master chief; and Lt. Col. John Barlett, 87th Force Support Squadron commander break ground at the new MFSC site Wednesday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Wayne Russell/Released)

Construction underway for new Military and Family Support Center

Published June 6, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Bryan Swink
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst leaders broke ground for the new Military and Family Support Center for all servicemembers during a ceremony here Wednesday.

The MFSC, formerly called the Warfighter and Family Readiness Center, will continue to provide comprehensive, coordinated and responsive social services supporting the readiness of the joint base military community and their family members.

The new facility, located near the Exchange and Commissary, will consolidate the McGuire and Dix centers to offer the joint base community a centralized location instead of having multiple buildings scattered throughout the installation.

"This facility was strategically placed in the hub of the joint base," said Col. Joseph Poth, JB MDL deputy commander. "It represents warmth, compassion, safety and most importantly a home for the joint base community."

The current facilities on both Dix and McGuire were not originally designed for their current uses. Army Community Center and Central Registration buildings on Dix started out as horse stables to support the cavalry. The McGuire building was once a cafeteria, museum and the base welcome center before transitioning to the WFRC.

The coordination and planning for this new facility took almost two years to develop.

"We are truly excited and very grateful for all the people along the way who have brought us to this point," said Joan Cole, MFSC chief. "We sincerely thank our chain of command for their vision and extensive efforts in acquiring the approvals needed for this project."

The new facility will provide services to all branches located on JB MDL, making this a true joint-base facility.

"I am proud to have this be a part of the joint base legacy and bringing together these team members to serve all who serve - that is what joint basing should be about," said Lt. Col. John Barlett, 87th Force Support Squadron commander.

The tentative completion date for the new facility is scheduled for May 2012.