Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

Camp Dix is named for MG John Adams Dix, veteran of the War of 1812 and the Civil War. During World War I, Camp Dix was a training and staging center that soon grew to become the largest military reservation in the Northeast. On March 8, 1939, Fort Dix became a permanent Army post and from 1947 until 1988, Fort Dix was designated as a Basic Training Center. As a result of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) recommendations, Fort Dix has become a major training and mobilization center for Reserve Component soldiers. In 2005, base realignment guidelines designated Fort Dix to become part of a mega-installation, merging with McGuire AFB and NAES Lakehurst.

Known as Rudd Field, and established as a part of the Army in 1937, the base transferred to the Air Force in 1949. The base is named in honor of Major Thomas B. McGuire, Jr., the second leading American Air Ace of World War II and posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor.

NAES Lakehurst dates back to 1917, when the command was established as the Naval Aircraft Factory. Because aircraft manufacturers were too busy building planes for the Army, the Navy decided to build the only aircraft factory ever to be completely owned and operated by the U.S. Government. After breaking ground in Philadelphia in August 1917, the first plane, an H-16 Flying Boat, flew off to war eight months later. By the end of World War I, aircraft were coming off the line at the rate of two airplanes per day. Experimental research and development of new types of airplanes was the thrust after the war. Nearly 1000 of the famed N3N "Yellow Peril" airplanes were built here before and during World War II. A total of 1,407 airplanes of six types were produced during World War II, as were 1,300 aircraft engines. Hangars 5 and 6, built in 1943, are among the largest single-arch wooden structures in the world.

In 1962, the center became the Naval Air Engineering Center. It was reorganized in 1967 with various functions moving to several different locations. In 1973, NAEC was transferred to Naval Air Station Lakehurst. In 1977, existing Lakehurst commands were consolidated with NAEC, with NAEC as the host command. In 1992 the NAEC became the Naval Air Engineering Station, Lakehurst, NJ. Lakehurst is most well known as the site of the 1937 crash of the hydrogen powered dirigible, the Hindenburg. On 30 September 2009, a formal ceremony was held to decommission NAES Lakehurst. On 1 October, 2009, Lakehurst formally merged to become Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

For more information:

https://home.army.mil/dix/index.php

Camp Dix: 95 years of Army heritage > Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst > Article Display (jb.mil)

"Today, JB MDL is the only tri-service joint base in the Department of Defense, and it is one of the largest military installations in the country, with more than 42,000 active-duty service members, civilians, and family members” [Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst > Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst > Display (jb.mil)].

As of July 2023, the New Jersey population estimate is 9,290,841 (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: New Jersey)

"Today, JB MDL is the only tri-service joint base in the Department of Defense, and it is one of the largest military installations in the country, with more than 42,000 active-duty service members, civilians, and family members” [Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst > Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst > Display (jb.mil)]. (Website reviewed 16 Sept 2024).

McGuire and Dix are located in Burlington County, New Jersey. Surrounding areas include the Delaware River Region, Philadelphia, New York City, Atlantic City and the famous New Jersey Shore. The base is located in a rural/agricultural area. This area is not only rich in the history of the American Revolution but offers a wealth of natural open space, rural farms, little pollution and minimal traffic. The cost of off-base housing and car insurance is high in this area. 

Lakehurst is located on the eastern portion of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. - formerly known as Naval Air Engineering Station (NAES) Lakehurst. Lakehurst lies on approximately 7,400 of the joint base's 42,000 contiguous acres and is centrally located in the New Jersey Pinelands. The eastern side of the base is a resort area located geographically in a high cost of living region of the United States. This is a suburban/rural community and you will need a personal vehicle to take advantage of the services and activities in the area. 

"Arrival by Air 
The two main airports surrounding JB MDL are, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Newark International Airport (EWR). 

If flying into Philadelphia, ground transportation is available through Rapid Rover and the New Jersey Transit bus line. For Rapid Rover service, call (856) 428-1500 or (609) 344-0100. For New Jersey Transit buses, visit the ticket booth located in the Greyhound Terminal of the airport or call (973) 275-5555. Additionally, the USO is located in Terminal D.

If flying into Newark, ground transportation is available through the New Jersey Transit bus line. For schedules, call (973) 275-5555. 

As always, it is best to ­pre-coordinate transportation and ask your sponsor for help.


Driving to McGuire and Dix 

From New Jersey Turnpike: Exit 7 or I-295 McGuire/Dix exit: Take U.S. Route 206 south for approximately 1/2 a mile. Stay in the left lane to the "Y" intersection of Routes 206 and 68. Turn left on Route 68 and go approximately 4 miles. Look for a sign pointing left to "McGuire/Deborah Hospital." Turn left at the sign across the opposite lanes of Route 68. At the immediate "T" intersection, turn right on Burlington County Route 545 and head south for approximately two miles (crossing Burlington County Route 537 at the one-and one-half-mile point). At the intersection of Route 537, continue straight ahead, as the road becomes a four-lane divided highway. Follow the four-lane highway (which eventually becomes Burlington County Route 680) straight into the Main Gate.

From the north: Travel south on the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95 in northern New Jersey) to Exit 7. Follow directions from turnpike. 

From the west: Travel east on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76 becomes I-276: do not take I-76 into Philadelphia.) to the New Jersey Turnpike. Go north on the New Jersey Turnpike to Exit 7. Follow directions from turnpike. 

From the south: Travel north on I-95 though Delaware to just south of Wilmington, Del. Follow the signs for I-295 and the New Jersey Turnpike across the Delaware Memorial Bridge into New Jersey. Take the New Jersey Turnpike north to Exit 7 or I-295 north to the McGuire/Dix exit and follow directions. 


Driving to Lakehurst

From Philadelphia International Airport: Take I-95 north to exit for Walt Whitman Bridge (toll). After the bridge, follow the signs to I-295 north. Take I-295 north to exit 34 (Marlton, 70 east) and stay on Route 70 east for approximately 40 miles. Turn left at Route 547. Bear left on 547 and proceed about quarter mile to main gate (second gate after the industrial gate).

From Newark Airport: Take New Jersey Turnpike to Garden State Parkway south. Get on Parkway South to Exit 88 (Route 70 West). Follow signs on Route 70 west to Route 547 and turn right (Gulf station on right, McDonald's on left). Bear left on 547 and proceed about quarter mile to main gate (second gate after the industrial gate).

From the Garden State Parkway: Take exit 81A (Lakehurst/Toms River) to Highway 37 west (landmark: Community Medical Center). At the traffic circle, follow sign to Route 70 west. Take a right on Route 547 (Gulf station on right, McDonalds on left). Entrance to the base will be on the left." [https://www.jbmdl.jb.mil/About-Us/Newcomers-Welcome/] (Website reviewed 16 Sept 2024).

What to do when You Arrive at the Front Gate

When you arrive at the front gate, show proper ID and seek guidance from the installation sentry. You may be expected to detour to the Pass & ID office during working hours to produce appropriate paperwork for the vehicle that you are driving (registration, insurance, etc.) 

AGAIN, COORDINATE YOUR ARRIVAL WITH YOUR SPONSOR AND/OR GAINING COMMAND!!

McGuire:  609-754-1110 or DSN 312-650-1110

Dix:  609-562-1011 or DSN 312-562-1011

Lakehurst:  732-323-2011 or DSN 312-624-2011