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Military

Recognized as the "Home of Expeditionary Forces in Readiness," Camp Lejeune's military personnel are among the nation's first responders to crises throughout the world.

Camp Lejeune first opened its doors as Marine Barracks, New River in 1941 and in 1943 it got its new name in honor of Lt. Gen. John A. Lejeune, the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Camp Lejeune is home to more than 40,000 Marines and sailors, and employs approximately 5,000 civilian workers. It also provides an economic impact of more than $2.5 billion to Onslow County and the surrounding areas.

II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF), one of three MEF's in the Marine Corps, is headquartered at Camp Lejeune. A MEF is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), and like all MAGTF's, consists of a Command Element (CE), a Ground Combat Element (GCE), an Aviation Combat Element (ACE) and a Logistics Support Element (LSE). The Command Element of II MEF as well as the GCE (2d Marine Division) and the LSE (2d Logistics Support Group) are all resident at Camp Lejeune.

Additionally Camp Lejeune is the home to several formal military schools including: the School of Infantry, East, Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools, Marine Corps Engineer School, the Staff Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Special Missions Training Center.

Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), New River is home to the rotary wing (helicopter) assets of the 2d MAW. Wing units located at MCAS, New River include Marine Air Groups (MAG) 26 and 29, Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 272, and Marine Air Control Squadron (MACS) 2.

A separate and distinct base from nearby Camp Lejeune, MCAS, New River is a unique part of Onslow County's military community. New River is home to over 5,500 Marines, sailors and Air Force personnel and employs approximately 266 civilian workers.