News

Full Steam Ahead: 87th CES Power Plant drives JB MDL flight testing operations
September 30, 2021 — With 33 years of experience, and the responsibility of supervising a 13-member crew, a typical morning for Mike Lenihan, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron boiler plant operator supervisor, starts with a walk around the 87th CES Power Plant on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The morning walk-around ensures the safety and good-working order of the plant’s heavy equipment and four high-pressure boilers, whose operation pre-dates Lenihan’s 33 years. The power plant must be kept ready for the potential of daily flight operations. “The main purpose of the power plant is to provide steam to Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst catapult operations in testing aircraft and launch valves for research and development purposes,” said Lenihan. “My crew and I must keep up with the condition of the plant to support the fleet, in any way possible.”... MORE

A picture of the power plant supervisor at 87 CES Power Plant.

Joint Base MDL honors POW/MIA Remembrance Week
September 21, 2021 — Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst personnel participated in a 24-hour walk or run event, and the candle light vigil ceremony, during POW/MIA Remembrance Week. POW/MIA Remembrance Week honors the Prisoners of War and Missing in Action troops nationwide through ceremonies, candlelight vigils, and physical fitness activities... MORE

Firefighter runs around the track with POW/MIA flag.

Joint Base MDL Pharmacist receives Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award
August 4, 2021 — Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst congratulated Alan Farquharson, 87th Medical Group pharmacist, with the Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award for contributing twenty-eight years of service within the Joint Base MDL community. Farquharson served as a pharmacist working at the same building on Joint Base MDL, from February 1993 to July 2021. Now as he prepares for retirement, Farquharson shares some of his experiences about being in a hybrid workforce of military and civilian workers. ... MORE

87th Medical Group commander honors award to 87th MDG pharmacist.

ASA Dix hosts Joint Base MDL command team immersion
July 15, 2021 — On Jul. 15, 2021, Army Support Activity, Dix, hosted an immersion event with the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst command team. ASA Dix introduced the command team to the various missions under ASA Dix jurisdiction... MORE

U.S. Air Force Col. Wes Adams, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst commander and 87th Air Base Wing commander, and U.S. Army Col. Jon A. Brierton, Army Support Activity, Dix, commander, overlook New Jersey aboard a UH-60 Blackhawk

Medic Pride: 87th MDG participates in whole-of-government FEMA tasking
June 22, 2021 — Between the months of March and May, Airmen from the 87th Medical Group were dispatched to the Roosevelt Park COVID vaccination distribution site, located in Gary, Indiana. The deployment occurred in support of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) request to assist with whole-of-government COVID vaccination efforts. Personnel from approximately 135 Air Force installations, including those from the 87th MDG, provided vaccination support to over 50,000 civilians. During the two-month deployment operation, U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Brittney Sturgis, 87th Medical Support Squadron medical readiness flight commander, was appointed as the officer-in-charge for Detachment 2 of the 64th Air Expeditionary Group at the vaccination site. Sturgis shared her past experiences working at the site. ... MORE

Airmen pose for a picture at Roosevelt Park COVID vaccine site.

That’s a Wrap: 87th MDG ends outdoor COVID-19 testing
June 11, 2021 — Fourteen months ago, the 87th Medical Group set up an outdoor testing site as a way to promote health and safety around JB MDL. As COVID-19 cases are now declining, the 87th Medical Group ended outdoor COVID-19 testing on June 10th, 2021. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. David Jarnot, 87th Medical Support Squadron commander, recalls the first time he heard about the pandemic and how he and the medical group handled the emergency situation... MORE

Airmen from 87th Civil Engineering Squadron are placing sandbags into the bulldozer outside the 87th Medical Group facility, June 10th, 2021, on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The sandbags were used as extra weight to keep the tents grounded, protect them from strong winds and other hazardous weather conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Barney)

Female Defenders Don New Armor
May 6, 2021 — Female defenders of the 87th Security Forces Squadron received the first batch of Aspetto ‘Mach-V’ body armor, in early May 2021. The female body armor features increased mobility, load carriage support, and comfort while still maintaining coverage of vital organs for female defenders... MORE

Two female Airmen pose donning female body armor in a warehouse.

JB MDL Airman receives acceptance into AF Academy Prep School
May 6, 2021 — U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Franz Abagat, 87th Civil Engineering Squadron emergency management specialist, recently received notification that he has been accepted into the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School. The school provides enlisted service members with the academic, leadership and physical skills to prepare them for success as future officers. “I am honored to be selected,” said Abagat. “The application process and the months of anticipation were a challenging experience, and I’m happy that it was well-worth it.” ... MORE

Airman gets accepted into AF Academy Prep School.

87th ABW looks for new ways to develop its civilian workforce
April 15, 2021 — The 87th Air Base Wing is looking for new ways to improve the civilian workforce on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and provide opportunities to develop professional skills needed to be effective leaders. One initiative that the 87th ABW is testing is the enrollment of civilians into Airman Leadership School, a five-week school that educates Airmen to become future noncommissioned officers. The first iteration of this new initiative was completed on April 1. ... MORE

87 ABW is working on enrolling junior civilians into Kish Airman Leadership School for the leadership education program.

Aiding our Airmen: Airman shares past experiences using Air Force Assistance Fund
April 14, 2021 — The 2021 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign is fully underway on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, and more Airmen and Guardians are sharing their experiences using the AFAF benefits. The AFAF is an organization that assists active duty, retired, enlisted, and officer Airmen and Guardians with emergency needs, educational assistance, and family support, with the help of contributions from other Airmen and Guardians. One Airman, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew McClain, 305th Aerial Port Station Mobility Training unit training supervisor, shares his experience with the AFAF. ... MORE

Airman talks about his experiences with AFAF.