Norcross, Murphy, NJDMAVA Lead New Jersey Delegation Military Base Tour

NEW JERSEY – Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy led the New Jersey Congressional Delegation on a tour of New Jersey’s military installations. There were stops at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the 177^th Fighter Wing in Atlantic City, Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle.

“Today, the New Jersey Congressional delegation and I had an opportunity to learn how we can deepen our partnership with the military to strengthen both New Jersey and the nation,” said Governor Phil Murphy.“Together, we will continue to ensure that our bases remain strong and are able to pursue new and enhanced missions that will bring continued federal investment into our state. I thank our servicemembers for their dedication to our country and for welcoming us today.”

“New Jersey is home to defense facilities that provide high-tech jobs and play an indispensable role in the security of the United States,” said Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee. “As the proud father and father-in-law of veterans, safeguarding and strengthening our military has always been a priority of mine, and I’m grateful to have such strong allies in the state and federal government ready and willing to support New Jersey’s bases and servicemembers alongside me. Visiting our installations together provides us with greater insight about the needs of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast guardsmen and marines, and readies us to strongly stand up for New Jersey at every level of government at every opportunity.”

Click here to view or download photos. Click here to view the press availability at the 177^thFighter Wing.

Throughout the day, the public officials received briefings from Brigadier General Jemal Beale, Adjutant General of the New Jersey National Guard; Colonel Timothy Coakley, Chief of Staff of the New Jersey Army National Guard; Colonel Neil Richardson, Commander of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst; Colonel Bradford Everman, Commander of the 177^th Fighter Wing; Colonel Thomas Coppinger, Vice Commander of the 108^th Wing; Captain Scott Anderson, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay; Captain Eric Gleason, Commanding Officer of the Air Station at Atlantic City; Brigadier General Alfred Abramson III, the Joint Program Executive Officer at Picatinny Arsenal; David Castellano, the Executive Director of Picatinny Arsenal; Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Morgan III, Picatinny Arsenal’s Garrison Commander; and Captain Pierre  Fuller, the Commanding Officer at Naval Weapons Station Earle.

“New Jersey’s military installations are vital to our national security and our state economy,” said Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ). “As the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I am well aware of the dangers that threaten our country. I am proud to work with my colleagues in the New Jersey delegation and Governor Murphy to support the critical missions being carried out at our bases throughout the state.”

“New Jersey’s military installations play a critical role in our national security and bolster significant economic opportunities for our state,” Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) said. “Just as we have called on our servicemembers to protect us, they are calling on us to provide them with the resources they need to effectively protect and defend our country. Today’s tour highlights the innovations and readiness missions taking place at these bases, but also the strong support New Jersey’s installations have from our delegation and Governor Murphy.”

“All the New Jersey bases contribute to national defense as well as the local economy,” said Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04). “In my district, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and Naval Weapons Station Earle are major employers, and its workforce provides the Department of Defense vital airlift and air-refueling capabilities, much needed Army and National Guard reserve training, critical aircraft carrier research and development and more.”

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to hear from our servicemembers stationed in New Jersey.  As Members of Congress, it is our duty to understand the needs of our military so that they are fully equipped and trained to serve and defend American national security. These military installations are pillars in our communities, and Congress must make sure they have the resources they need to succeed,” Congressman Frank Pallone said (NJ-06).

“The sacrifice of our servicemembers is staggering. So one of our top priorities must always be to know what they need to succeed and then work to deliver it to them,” said Congressman Bill Pascrell (NJ-9). “I am glad Congressman Norcross is leading from his position as subcommittee Chairman, and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill and Congressman Andy Kim are using their posts on the Armed Services Committee to review and highlight New Jersey’s military installations, which are some of the crown jewels of our nation’s military mosaic. But they’ll only stay that way with the full support of the members of our delegation. They have it!”

“New Jersey’s military installations and the servicemembers who work there contribute to the national defense and help support jobs in our state,” said Congressman Albio Sires (NJ-8). “I am proud to represent New Jersey in Congress and take my responsibility to our state’s servicemembers and military facilities seriously. That is why I will continue working with the New Jersey Delegation in supporting the important work that New Jersey’s military installations do in maintaining the security of our country.”

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to thank our service members for their service and sacrifice during my visit to New Jersey’s military installations.  These brave men and women put their lives on the line and Congress has a responsibility to ensure that service members and their families have adequate resources to better serve our country,” said Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10).

“I remain committed to supporting our state’s military installations alongside my New Jersey colleagues as the only member of our delegation on the House Appropriations Committee. These facilities are drivers of our economy and critical elements of our national security, and I stand with the delegation and Governor Murphy in support and gratitude for the work done at these installations, and the servicemembers who make them great,” said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).

“One of the many things that make New Jersey such a great state is all the brave women and men who serve in our Armed Forces, from Picatinny Arsenal in North Jersey to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and Atlantic City Air National Guard Base,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). “I’m honored to join my colleagues in the delegation and New Jersey’s Department of Military and Veteran Affairs to spend time with these brave servicemembers and to see how our state contributes to the greatest fighting force in the world. In Congress, I will continue working with the New Jersey delegation to fight for our world-class military installations and oppose any harmful efforts to send jobs and expertise away from New Jersey and to other states. We must always have the backs of those who protect and defend our country.”

“Our Joint Base isn’t just important for our communities in Burlington and Ocean Counties, it’s a job creator and point of pride of our entire state. I want to thank my colleagues and the Governor for visiting our base, and their commitment to ensuring it remains the bedrock of our community for years to come,” said Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03).

“I am grateful to have this opportunity to learn more about the needs of our military facilities and communities in New Jersey, and to thank our servicemembers and their families who have sacrificed so much for our country,”said Congressman Tom Malinowski (NJ-07).

“The women and men at Picatinny are on the cutting edge of research and development. Their mission is critical to our national security and to the economy of New Jersey. As a Member of the House Armed Services Committee I’ve worked to ensure Picatinny has the resources to protect our service members in the field and I look forward to having the New Jersey Delegation in the 11th District to see the work of Picatinny firsthand,” said Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11).

“There is no doubt of the honor and praise the brave men and women of our armed services deserve, and we thank them for the dedication and sacrifice they made to the great nation. One way to pay tribute is to ensure, as elected officials, that their voice is heard and that we provide them with the services and programs they need not only on the battlefield, but in daily life,” said Congressman Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02). “Today we’re travelling around New Jersey to not only thank them for their service, but also to learn about the needs of servicemembers, their families, and the military installations. I look forward to gaining a greater understanding of these installations and to meeting these great men and women.”

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