The $612 billion National Defense Authorization Act specifically blocks the Defense Department from undertaking a new round of base closings, something Obama had initially requested.
The more than 40,000 workers at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst can breathe a collective sigh of relief knowing that their jobs are secure for the next 12 months.
President Obama late last month signed a revised defense policy bill that protects the joint base from cuts or closure during the 2016 fiscal year.
The $612 billion National Defense Authorization Act specifically blocks the Defense Department from undertaking a new round of base closings, something Obama had initially requested.
It also denied any funding to move or retire any of the KC-10 refueling tanker planes based there, thus preventing the Defense Department from employing a backdoor method of crippling the base's critical role of providing aerial refueling for military aircraft around the world. Such a loss would make the facility a prime target for future base closings.
It also would jeopardize the base's role of providing the airlift muscle to transport troops and material anywhere they are needed.
If the joint base were to close, it would be a huge hit to New Jersey's economy. The base, which sits on 42,000 contiguous acres in Burlington and Ocean counties, is the state's second largest employer and injects almost $7 billion into the local economy, according to the New Jersey Defense Enhancement Coalition. The base also supports about 65,500 indirect jobs, the coalition says.
It was through the diligent work of New Jersey's congressional delegation that JBMDL was spared from any closing consideration in the recently passed defense bill. Playing a key role in the legislation were freshmen Reps. Tom MacArthur (R-3rd Dist.), whose district includes the joint base, and Donald Norcross (D-1st Dist.). Both sit on the powerful House Armed Services Committee along with Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd Dist.). New Jersey is fortunate to have such a large voice on the panel that sets defense spending policy.
The state's lawmakers in Washington know all too well that Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is not immune from the budget ax. Back in 1993, the Pentagon proposed scaling back operations at McGuire Air Force Base in favor of an expanded presence in Plattsburgh, N.Y. It took a concerted effort by New Jersey legislators and civic leaders to scuttle that proposal and it was the Plattsburgh base that was eventually closed.
And during another round of base closings in 2005, the three local military installations banded together to form a unique joint base that offered greater economy and efficiency. It was another step in guarding against closing.
Keeping New Jersey's military installations viable and thriving requires constant struggle and vigilance but the effort is worth it to keep the thousands of jobs that they generate.
But for now, we are safe for another year.