Military Bases in New Jersey

New Jersey’s Tri-Service Military Core

For U.S. military members and families on PCS or TDY to New Jersey, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Burlington and Ocean Counties, Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck, and Coast Guard Training Center Cape May in Cape May are vital installations, representing the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard. These bases drive air mobility, munitions logistics, and enlisted Coast Guard training. This guide to military bases in New Jersey offers insights into their roles, historical significance, economic impact, and community support, ensuring a rewarding assignment in the Garden State.

Historical Foundations

New Jersey’s military heritage spans over a century. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst formed in 2009 through the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure, merging Fort Dix (established 1917 as Camp Dix for WWI training), McGuire Air Force Base (1941, WWII airlift hub), and Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst (1916, a WWI munitions site turned Navy airship station). Naval Weapons Station Earle, founded in 1943 during WWII, was named for Rear Adm. Ralph Earle and built to store and load Navy munitions. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, active since 1917 as a section base, became the Coast Guard’s sole enlisted recruiting center in 1948. These bases have shaped New Jersey’s defense legacy.

Economic Impact

New Jersey’s bases contribute over $9 billion annually, employing 50,000 personnel. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, spanning 42,000 acres, generates $7 billion and 44,000 jobs across Burlington and Ocean Counties, supporting Wrightstown and Manchester Township. Naval Weapons Station Earle employs 2,000, adding $1 billion to Colts Neck’s economy with its 3-mile pier. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May sustains 1,500 jobs and $300 million in Cape May County. Families access 2,000 housing units, DoDDS schools (e.g., Manchester Township Schools, Cape May City Schools), and TRICARE clinics. MWR programs, like 2025 JB MDL air shows and Cape May’s beach events, enrich community life.

Key Military Facilities

• Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (Wrightstown): Hosts the 87th Air Base Wing and 305th Air Mobility Wing, operating C-17 Globemaster IIIs and KC-46 Pegasus tankers, with 44,000 personnel across airlift, training, and engineering missions.

• Naval Weapons Station Earle (Colts Neck): Manages munitions storage and loading for Navy warships via a 3-mile pier, supporting 2,000 personnel and Atlantic Fleet operations.

• Coast Guard Training Center Cape May (Cape May): The Coast Guard’s only enlisted recruiting center, training 4,000 recruits annually in seamanship and maritime law enforcement, with 1,500 personnel.

• Picatinny Arsenal (Rockaway Township): The Army’s Joint Center of Excellence for Guns and Ammunition, developing advanced munitions with 5,000 personnel.

• 177th Fighter Wing (Egg Harbor Township): A New Jersey Air National Guard unit at Atlantic City International Airport, operating F-16C Fighting Falcons with 1,000 personnel.

Strategic Importance

New Jersey’s bases are essential to U.S. defense operations. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst’s 305th Air Mobility Wing conducts 3,000 C-17 and KC-46 missions annually, supporting global airlift and refueling, with 2024 operations enhancing NATO mobility. Naval Weapons Station Earle stores and loads munitions for 70% of Navy warships, ensuring Atlantic Fleet readiness, with 2025 logistics upgrades. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May trains 4,000 recruits yearly, shaping the enlisted Coast Guard for maritime security and search-and-rescue missions. Picatinny Arsenal develops advanced weaponry, including precision munitions, while the 177th Fighter Wing provides 1,000 F-16C sorties for air defense. These bases maintain national security despite unconfirmed 2024 drone reports near JB MDL and Earle.

Notable Distinctions

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, at 42,000 acres, is the DoD’s only tri-service base, hosting Air Force, Army, and Navy missions with a $9.3 billion infrastructure. Naval Weapons Station Earle features a 3-mile pier, one of the Navy’s longest, handling munitions for the Atlantic Fleet. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May is the sole enlisted Coast Guard training site, known as the “Birthplace of the Enlisted Corps.” The bases offer 2,000 housing units, school partnerships, and MWR events like Earle’s 2025 pier tours and Cape May’s lighthouse visits, fostering vibrant communities in New Jersey’s diverse landscapes.

U.S. service members on PCS to New Jersey or TDY in New Jersey will find mission-critical roles and welcoming communities at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Naval Weapons Station Earle, and Coast Guard Training Center Cape May. From Cape May’s historic beaches to Burlington’s vibrant townships, New Jersey’s bases provide robust support, quality education, and rich cultural experiences for military families.