With an active hurricane season predicted, two Onslow County-based Marine Corps installations simultaneously exercised their response capabilities this week. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River annually conduct destructive weather exercises to prepare for the Atlantic Hurricane Season which runs June 1 to November 30.“The destructive weather exercise was an ideal way for our staff to come together with our tenant commands to coordinate the necessary muscle movements, ensuring we are effectively postured to protect lives and property before, during and after a hurricane strikes,” said Col. Ralph J. Rizzo, Jr., acting commander, Marine Corps Installations East-MCB Camp Lejeune. “All indications are this

Col. Ralph J. Rizzo, Jr. assumed duties as the acting commander of Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base (MCIEAST-MCB) Camp Lejeune today at W.P.T. Hill Field. Brig. Gen. Adolfo Garcia Jr. officially relinquished command of MCIEAST-MCB Camp Lejeune during the formal ceremony.Under an overcast sky, more than 300 people gathered to witness the time-honored tradition of transferring formal authority from one commander to the next. The ceremony was attended by dozens of Navy and Marine Corps leaders, most notably Maj. Gen. David W. Maxwell, commanding general, Marine Corps Installations Command, and members of the local community.Commending Garcia for his eleven months leading MCIEAST, Maxwell said, “Whether it is focusing on the

North Carolina’s Governor Roy Cooper paid a visit to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in support of Military Appreciation Month, May 21, 2024. He was accompanied by North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Secretary Grier Martin and several advisors and staff. During his first visit since Hurricane Florence, the governor toured the installation to review several completed construction projects and those still underway. Tour stops included housing, new headquarters buildings, law enforcement facilities, and a new fire station under construction.“I recall being here in late 2018 after Hurricane Florence and standing on the site of the devastation that had occurred at this great Marine base...I talked about the desperate need

Team members from Officer in Charge of Construction (OICC) Florence and leaders and guest from Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune attended a “topping out” ceremony for Military Construction Project 1518, the new Hadnot Point Fire Station, on May 21, 2024.“The topping out ceremony marks a major project milestone: the completion of the building’s structural framework, which doesn’t reach its full strength until the final beam is in place,” said U.S. Navy Capt. David Jayne, commanding officer of OICC Florence. “The ceremony highlights and acknowledges the dedication and teamwork required for a successful construction project.”In keeping with “topping out” ceremony tradition, the key players from OICC Florence, MCB Camp Lejeune Fire and

Earning the title of United States Marine is a profound achievement; however for Gage Barbieri, not only is it an achievement but a bridge to greater feats.Cpl. Barbieri, an automotive maintenance technician with Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion (HQBN), 2d Marine Division (MARDIV), is being recognized by the leaders of 2d MARDIV for using the skills, knowledge, and training on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) to refine its official technical manuals across the Department of Defense (DoD).Barbieri, a Loxahatchee, Florida native, grew up with little to no experience as a mechanic but always had an interest in mechanical engineering. Having graduated from Seminole Ridge Community High School at 16 years old, he enlisted in the

Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune Environmental Management Division (EMD) was recently awarded the 2024 Secretary of the Navy Environmental Award for “Environmental Restoration, Installation.” As a ten-time winner of this award, EMD is responsible for managing an ecologically diverse installation that boasts 72,000 acres of upland forests, 49,000 acres of wetlands, 26,000 acres of water and 7,500 acres of developed land. Through multiple lines of effort, EMD continuously ensures protection of those living, working, and training on MCB Camp Lejeune.Their accomplishments over the last year included winning the EPA’s National Notable Achievement Award for Federal Facilities Excellence in Partnering Team of the Year. The award recognized the