CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Leadership from Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River participated in the Onslow County State of the Community Luncheon on June 4, highlighting the strong partnership of both installations with the surrounding community.
The luncheon brought together representatives from the City of Jacksonville, Coastal Carolina Community College, MCB Camp Lejeune, MCAS New River, Onslow Memorial Hospital and Onslow County Government and Schools.
The panel of leaders discussed a variety of topics that bring our community together, from economic development to healthcare, education and military affairs.
The annual event, hosted by the Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce, is an opportunity for community partners to participate in discourse and strengthen relationships among their organizations. This year centered on the theme of past, present and future, asking the panelists to speak on recent accomplishments, current challenges and future opportunities for collaboration between their organizations and the broader community.
“Camp Lejeune is more than a military base. It’s a strategic power projection platform where forces train, deploy and return home,” said Col. Gregory B. Pace, commander, Marine Corps Installations East-MCB Camp Lejeune.
Camp Lejeune is more than a military base. It’s a strategic power projection platform where forces train, deploy and return home.” Col. Gregory Pace, commander, Marine Corps Installations East-MCB Camp Lejeune
There are approximately 30,000 Marines and Sailors spread across MCB Camp Lejeune, MCAS New River, MCAS Cherry Point and MCAS Beaufort. These installations depend on the partnership of its service members, civilians, families and the surrounding community.
“Camp Lejeune and our regional installations remain focused on readiness, quality of life, strengthening our enduring partnership with you [all],” Pace said.
In fiscal year 2026, MCIEAST is actively investing over $83 million in infrastructure, advanced training ranges and improved quality-of-life to support the readiness of the Marine Corps’ operating forces.
2026 State of the Community Luncheon
Photo by Cpl. Jessica Mazzamuto
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Thomas C. Farrington II, center, commanding officer, Marine Corps Air Station New River, speaks about the MCAS New River’s recent energy exercise during the 2026 State of the Community Luncheon at the Onslow County Government Center, in Jacksonville, North Carolina, June 4, 2026. This event highlighted the importance of collaboration between military, local government, businesses and community organizations. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Jessica J. Mazzamuto)
Col. Thomas C. Farrington, commanding officer, MCAS New River, spoke not only to the way MCAS New River as a whole contributes to the local economy but how individual service members participate directly in the community through volunteer service.
“We are alive and well. The spirit of volunteerism and camaraderie is beneficial to the Marine Corps and the local community,” Farrington said.
The panel highlighted how the readiness of the Marine Corps is supported not only by the individual service members, but also by their families, local infrastructure and on- and off-base communities.
Tim Foster, chairman, Onslow County Commissioners, spoke to the importance of mutual support required for the community to flourish and enable the readiness of the Marines and Sailors of MCB Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River.
“They’re ready at the time and place that their nation is ready to send them,” Foster said. “We are a part of that... We’ve learned that the fabric of this community is everybody sitting in this room... We all are woven together more tightly than we’ve ever been.”