Defense Enhancement Coalition Supports Air Force’s KC-46A Fleet Decision

BURLINGTON COUNTY, N.J., Jan. 25, 2017 -- The Directors of the Defense Enhancement Coalition (DEC) – an advocacy group dedicated to watchdogging and promoting the viability of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) – voiced support for the Air Force’s recent decision to locate the Air Force’s next generation air refueling tankers – the KC-46A at JBMDL. Travis Air Force Base in California was the other selected site. The two were chosen from a final list of five bases in the country.

“This is another victory for the long-term viability of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst,” said Executive Director, Mike Warner. “It has been gratifying to work with bi-partisan representatives from both New Jersey and Washington delegations who helped make this possible.”

Instrumental in securing the KC-46As, were U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Bookers, as well as Congressmen Tom MacArthur (NJ-3), Chris Smith (NJ-4) and Donald Norcross (NJ-1).

JBMDL is the nation’s only tri-service joint installation – home to Air Force, Army and Navy Operations – and the second largest employer in New Jersey, spanning both Ocean and Burlington Counties. The DEC’s statistics underscore JBMDL’s economic impact on 35,000 direct military and civilian jobs on base, with another extended combined reach of 100,000 jobs throughout the state.

Warner added: “Working in tandem with our elected officials, as well as many, many community and local advocacy groups, we were able to get the job done. This is a critical next step in maintaining the Base’s mission-readiness, and ensuring its future.”

About the Defense Enhancement Coalition: The Defense Enhancement Coalition (the DEC) is a 501-C6 organization formed in 2013. It formalized a loose coalition of individuals, businesses and various community and municipal groups throughout Ocean and Burlington Counties who mobilized together during the federal government’s last Base Realignment and Closure Committee (BRAC) and helped create the consolidation and growth (rather than closure) of what is now Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL), the nation’s only tri-service military base. The DEC continues this advocacy mission, working to protect and expand JBMDL’s mission, strategic military value, and provide opportunities for strong liaisons with active duty personnel, reinforce cost efficiencies through JBMDL purchasing and operations standardizations, and maintain the Base as a key element for future workforce development.

Contact: Karen Riccio 
Phone: 856-642-9595