A solemn pageant of purpose and pride unfolded beneath the broad skies of New Jersey, as Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst bore witness to the peaceful transfer of command on June 17, 2025, one of the great traditions in American military life.
With flags raised high and hearts lifted higher, U.S. Air Force Col. Michael D. Stefanovic assumed command of the base and its 87th Air Base Wing, accepting the torch from Col. Anthony L. Smith, who now steps forward into the next chapter of a distinguished career in service to this nation.
There, upon the parade ground, a cross-section of the American defense family gathered—Airmen and Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, Guardians, Coast Guardsmen, and civilian employees.
Side by side stood public officials and community partners, bound not by rank or uniform, but by shared commitment to a common cause: the defense of peace, the preservation of readiness, and the unbreakable bond between those who serve and those who support them.
For two years, Col. Smith guided this vast, dynamic joint installation—unique in the Department of Defense—with steady hands and a servant’s heart.
He led a total force of more than 44,000 personnel and provided critical support to over 80 mission partners, all while ensuring warfighters stood ready for duty in every corner of the globe.
His tenure was marked not only by strategic excellence, but by an unwavering belief in the dignity and potential of every member under his command.
Brig. Gen. Stephen P. Snelson, presiding over the ceremony, paid tribute to Smith’s leadership with words that carried both weight and gratitude: “It is our joint force that makes us the most feared, revered and lethal force the world has ever seen… and you have led it brilliantly.”
That praise was not flattery, but earned respect—built on a career that saw Smith shape policy, manage vast budgets, and embody the trust placed in him by the nation he swore to serve.
Smith, humbled in farewell, reminded those gathered that leadership is not about self but about stewardship.
“As Chief Wynne and I stand here, closing out two remarkable years as your wing command team, we can honestly say—it has been the honor of our career,” said Smith.
In his parting, there was no bitterness, only grace, and a call to continued excellence.
Into his place now steps Col. Michael Stefanovic, a man shaped by both the rigors of engineering command and the quiet discipline of academic reflection.
His record speaks of resolve—leading emergency responses, protecting infrastructure, managing the hazards of explosive ordnance, and even directing strategic studies for the Air Force. He knows the systems and the people.
And more than that, he knows the sacred duty of command.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead JB MDL,” said Stefanovic, his voice steady and filled with purpose. “Together, we will continue to deliver warfighting capability, support to our mission partners and strengthen our joint force and community.”
In those words, one hears not only strategy but vision—of a base that serves not just as a military asset, but as a living testament to cooperation, unity, and readiness.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, established in 2009, stands as the embodiment of what is possible when distinct branches join hands in shared mission.
It is home to units as varied as the 87th ABW, the 305th Air Mobility Wing, the 621st Contingency Response Wing, Army Support Activity Fort Dix, and Naval Support Activity Lakehurst.
Beyond acronyms and operations, it is a home—a place where service is given meaning by the community that surrounds it.
As the command changes, the mission endures. And in that continuity lies the strength of our democracy—a strength not born of weapons alone, but of values held firm, of transitions handled with dignity, and of leaders who rise to serve something greater than themselves.
With Col. Stefanovic at the helm, the base enters a new chapter, built upon the firm foundation laid by his predecessor, ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow with unity, resilience, and unwavering resolve.