U.S. Air Force Col. Michael D. Stefanovic assumed command of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL) and of the 87th Air Base Wing yesterday at a change-of-command ceremony which took place at the base. Stefanovic succeeds Colonel Anthony L. Smith, who commanded the installation for the past two years.
As its commander, Stefanovic will be responsible for more than 44,000 airmen, soldiers, sailors, marines, coast guardsmen, civilians and family members. He will also oversee 80 mission partners with the intent of providing mission-ready expeditionary airmen, guardians, and sailors to combat commanders in support of joint and coalition operations.
“What sets us apart from every other nation is our joint force,” said Brigadier General Stephen P. Snelson, commander of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center (the headquarters of which is at JB MDL). Snelson was the presiding officer at the change-of-command ceremony.
“It is our joint force that makes us the most feared, revered and lethal force the world has ever seen,” continued Snelson. Together, as joint partners, we are unstoppable. Over the last two years, Colonel Smith has led this base and our joint team brilliantly.”
Stefanovic previously served as commander of JB MDL’s 87th Civil Engineer Group, overseeing emergency management, fire and explosive ordnance disposal response, infrastructure maintenance, engineering, environmental stewardship, housing, and rapid recovery operations.
His career includes a range of civil engineer and explosive ordnance disposal assignments at the squadron, wing, major command and Headquarters Air Force levels, as well as serving as Director of the Strategic Studies Institute for the Air Force.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead JB MDL and look forward to building on the legacy of excellence established here,” Stefanovic said. “Together, we will continue to deliver warfighting capability, support to our mission partners and strengthen our joint force and community.”
Established in 2009, JB MDL is the nation’s only tri-service base, meaning three service branches – the Air Force (at McGuire Air Force Base), the Army (at Fort Dix), and the Navy (at Navy Station Lakehurst) operate equally at the base. The Air Force is considered the host service branch, so its commander, in this case Stefanovic, is the overall installation commander.