Joint Base MDL celebrates inaugural State of the Base

U.S. Air Force Col. Anthony Smith, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst commander and 87th Air Base Wing commander, shakes hands with Jim Saxton, former N.J. Congressman, during a cake-cutting alongside U.S. Navy Capt. James Howell, Naval Support Activity Lakehurst commander and JB MDL deputy commander, and U.S. Army Col. Bryan Dunker, U.S. Army Support Activity Fort Dix commander and JB MDL deputy commander, to celebrate the 15th birthday of the joint base during the inaugural State of the Joint Base event at JB MDL, N.J., Oct. 4, 2024. The event brought together community and military stakeholders to increase the understanding of the installation’s role in the local and global community by showcasing its numerous missions, achievements and outlook for the future. Saxton was instrumental in the formation of JB MDL as the first ever tri-service joint base in 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Knox)