Marine Corps Air Station New River

Public Notice: A letter from CG, MCIEAST RE: COVID-19

To our North Carolina-based installations:

In an effort to fight the spread of COVID-19, the Governor of North Carolina has issued a stay-at-home order to citizens of the State that will go into effect at 5 P.M. Monday, March 30. To the extent we can, we intend to be community partners and comply with his directive.

So what does this mean for our installations in Eastern North Carolina? We have already cancelled or curtailed non-essential services, and we are limiting our operations to those critical functions that directly support the operations of II Marine Expeditionary Force and other tenant commands. Continue to look for areas that each installation can further mitigate risk and prevent the spread of the virus while providing critical services.

To that end, I want to encourage commanders to limit the on-hand work force to only those employees and service members required to perform mission-critical tasks, and release all others to their quarters. Contact your command leadership if you have questions about whether you should go to work or not. This requires accountability on everyone’s part.

While government employees and contractors will not be restricted in their travel to and from work by local civilian authorities, it is our duty to comply with the Governor’s order to the greatest extent possible. Compliance is both a civic responsibility and the right thing to do for the health and safety of our forces, our families, and the community.

This is what I want you to do:

If you are not involved with carrying out critical services and operations that support the needs of our operational forces and tenant commands, stay home. Minimize your trips to the store and other activities/services, but when necessary use the appropriate precautions. Minimizing unnecessary trips or interactions will reduce the spread of the virus and likelihood of you becoming infected.

Continue to follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by practicing strict social distancing, washing your hands consistently, coughing into your elbow and contacting your healthcare provider if you feel sick.

Report any conditions or circumstances encountered within your local communities which counters the provisions provided here for situational awareness and remediation.

Finally, I urge each and every one of you stay focused on our mission to support those warriors training to go into harm’s way and their families.

Thank you for your patience and continued support during this health crisis.

Semper Fidelis,

J. D. ALFORD
Major General, U.S. Marine Corps
Commanding General, MCIEAST-MCB Camp Lejeune

Public Notice: MCIEAST implements Health Protection Condition Charlie at direction of SECDEF

As directed by the Secretary of Defense, Marine Corps Installations East (MCIEAST) has implemented Health Protection Condition Charlie (HPCON-C) across all of its installations to maintain the readiness and protection of base and air station personnel and families.

HPCON-C means there are multiple confirmed cases of a disease nationwide such as the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). As of today, there have been FOUR confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Onslow County. The County Health Department says one of those cases is travel-related; the other two cases are speculated to be from community transmission. The ONE confirmed case of COVID-19 aboard Camp Lejeune has recovered and been medically cleared. While there is no indication of widespread outbreak in Onslow County, community transmission has been seen in greater numbers in other counties in North Carolina to include Durham, Mecklenburg, and Wake Counties.

As a preventative measure, MCIEAST previously implemented many of the HPCON-C health and safety requirements during HPCON-B, as a result the base population will notice very few visible changes. Leaders will continue to assess conditions on the ground and cancel or curtail services, events and operations as appropriate that could potentially increase the spread of the virus. A list of updates on services can be found here: www.mcieast.marines.mil/servicesupdate.

MCIEAST personnel along with Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune (NMCCL) are working diligently to review best practices, hone plans and remain prepared should there be a need to increase to the next level of HPCON.

For additional guidance on COVID-19, please visit www.coronavirus.gov.

Public Notice: Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune Stands Up COVID-19 Screening Sites, Phone Help Line

To support Marine Corps Installations East (MCIEAST) in maintaining readiness and out of an abundance of caution, Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune (NMCCL) is standing up two COVID-19 screening sites as of March 18, 2020.

The first site is for active-duty military only. Marines and Sailors will contact their unit medical first. After being evaluated, their unit medical will then determine if they need to be referred to the COVID-19 Active Duty Screening Site located at Building 4 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. That site will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. If active-duty military have any questions, they should contact their unit medical for guidance before reporting to the screening site.

The second site will be for Department of Defense (DoD) beneficiaries such as family members and retirees. NMCCL is not encouraging people to leave their homes. Please call ahead to the NMCCL COVID-19 Help Line at (910) 450-2956 before driving to the screening site. The NMCCL COVID-19 Help Line will be available seven days a week from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Callers speak with a nurse and will get symptoms checked before driving to the screening site or walking into any medical facility. Those who have been screened, and have significant symptoms of a fever of 100.4 or higher and respiratory symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath, will be asked to travel to the screening site. If your symptoms are mild, please stay home.

If you are directed to go to the COVID-19 Beneficiary Screening Site, you will drive to the main entrance of the NH-200 Clinic Annex in front of the main Medical Center. Beneficiaries must have their DoD ID Card to show personnel when they drive up. Patients will be screened from their vehicle. From there, medical personnel will determine further testing. This site will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. These hours are subject to change; updates will be posted to the NMCCL Facebook page: www.facebook.com/NMCCLejeune. All other services normally conducted at NH-200 such as Pediatrics and Dermatology will use a temporary entrance away from the screening site. Signage and staff on site will direct beneficiaries where to go.

Public Notice: A letter from CG, MCIEAST RE: COVID-19

March 17, 2020

To our MCIEAST Bases and Stations:

These are challenging times. The global spread of COVID-19 has ushered in a period of uncertainty on our installations and in our communities that is unlike anything we’ve experienced. A natural extension of that uncertainty is the tendency to believe rumors and make assumptions that may create an environment of confusion and mistrust. There is a lot we are learning about COVID-19. We are allowing our medical professionals to analyze and communicate the latest data. This information includes the risks to our military community and the preventative measures we must follow. As you are aware, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed its guidance over the last 48 hours and we have seen states and cities across America take dramatic measures to prevent the rapid spread of COVID-19. We are carefully adjusting our operations and services to balance the risk to our community with the requirement to support the critical missions of the bases and stations in our region. You can rest assured the command is working closely with our Federal, State and local community leaders to pass accurate and timely information.

With that in mind, our mission for the foreseeable future is very simple: Protect the force and protect our families. Our main effort at this moment is to safe guard our medical professionals’ ability to respond to an exponential rise in health issues in our area. Social distancing, proper hygiene, and implementing Restriction of Movement (ROM) measures are all intended to allow the medical personnel to effectively care for the health of our Marines, Sailors, and Families of II MEF to be most ready when our Nation calls.

PLEASE NOTE: We have a number of military personnel who are being restricted (ROM) to their barracks or quarters out of an abundance of caution because they have returned from a high-risk area. No evidence exists that they came in contact with anyone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, nor are they exhibiting any signs of illness. The number of people under a ROM will likely increase as we receive more Marines from CDC designated high-risk areas. As previously announced, we have only one patient who tested positive for COVID-19 at this time. This COVID-19 positive patient is in isolation along with their family.

We will re-evaluate and adjust our posture and services as required if CDC guidance evolves, the cases of COVID-19 rise in our local region, or this period of National Emergency extends beyond the next few weeks. If we have to cancel or modify services, then we will inform you through your chains of command and our various communication platforms. I ask for your patience, understanding and support as we deal with this challenge in the coming days.

Thank you, and Semper Fidelis,

J.D. ALFORD
Major General, U.S. Marine Corps
Commanding General, Marine Corps Installations East – Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Public Notice: Operational pause lifted, MCIEAST resumes limited operations

Marine Corps Installations East is operating on a modified schedule with certain activities and events curtailed for the next two weeks. We are balancing the need to support II Marine Expeditionary Force daily operations and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 Virus. To mitigate the spread of the virus, fitness centers remain closed, meetings/events with large group gatherings have been cancelled or rescheduled with curtailed list of attendees. Mission Critical activities remain open that include medical facilities, chow halls, commissaries, child development centers, and Security and Emergency Services performed by designated personnel.

MCIEAST services that support the infrastructure of our bases and stations will continue to operate facilities, utilities, and operations.

MCIEAST, II MEF and tenant command personnel check with your chain of command for reporting instructions.

Public Notice: MCAS New River and Camp Lejeune to Limit Personal Contact at Gates

Effective Friday, March 13, sentries at MCAS New River and MCB Camp Lejeune entry control points will scan, but limit touching of all identification cards.

Out of an abundance of caution and in an effort to limit potential spread of disease, such as COVID-19, the Provost Marshal has instructed gate sentries to limit personal contact with those entering our installations.

Personnel accessing either installation should be prepared to show the front and back of their identification card to the sentries upon arrival to the gate. Identification cards will be scanned while the individual retains possession of their ID card. Enhanced security measures may still require the handling of some credentials. Increased traffic delays are expected, due to this precaution. Please plan accordingly and be patient as you enter the installation.

Welcome Back: Expanded Veteran Access

Public Notice: Drones not authorized aboard MCIEAST Installations

Personnel Notice: New flight line badging office hours effective Sept. 4

The Marine Corps Air Station New River flight line badging office will have new hours of operation beginning Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019. The new hours of operation are 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Personnel Notice: Weekly Course Rules Brief for MCAS New River pilots

Per ASO 3710.7W, pilots shall receive an initial MCAS New River course rules brief from Air Traffic Control; then annually or when returning from an extended deployment of six months or more. This is the primary means of receiving their brief, and the classroom can hold 27 students. Separate classes may be scheduled through Air Traffic Control on a case-by-case basis but are not guaranteed.

The course rules brief is offered every Tuesday from 9-10 a.m. in Building AS-212 in Room 222B. If you have any questions, please call air traffic control at 910-449-6657 or e-mail New_River_ATC_Facility@usmc.mil.