CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Throughout the week, Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River personnel participated in their annual destructive weather exercises to prepare for the Atlantic Hurricane Season, running from June 1 to November 30. Hurricanes and other destructive weather events can pose a significant threat to both installations and personnel.
During an emergency, both installations activate their Emergency Operations Centers (EOC), enabling key leaders to coordinate the strategic deployment of resources and staff. Exercise planners from both installations conduct this annual exercise to enhance readiness and ensure that both MCB Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River and their personnel are well-prepared to respond effectively to severe weather events.
“This exercise allows us to operate as though a real-time hurricane is impacting our area. It enables us to test our ability to establish shelters, activate emergency communication systems, and evaluate how quickly we can deploy and reallocate resources,” said Thomas Stewart, an emergency management specialist and exercise planner at MCAS New River. “We look forward to strengthening our capabilities and learning from any challenges before an actual storm occurs.”
These realistic drills not only test operational readiness but also emphasize the personal impact of destructive weather on the entire community. Ensuring the safety of every service member, family member, and civilian on base remains a top priority as they work together to face any severe weather challenges.
"Destructive weather ultimately has the potential to affect all of us, whether it's our Marines and Sailors in the barracks, our families living on base, or our civilian Marines and contractors who work on the installation," said Tabatha Hart, installation emergency manager, Marine Corps Installations East-MCB Camp Lejeune. "Exercises like this help us prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone who calls Camp Lejeune and New River home."
By conducting these comprehensive exercises, both installations reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding lives and maintaining mission readiness throughout the hurricane season.
Personnel are encouraged to visit the below resources for information on hurricane preparations before a storm hits.
In the event of an actual hurricane, information regarding impacts to installation operations and shelter information for MCB Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River can be found on our website at: https://www.lejeune.marines.mil/Hurricane/.
For imagery from the exercise, visit:
Edwin Dillard, operations officer, Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune, conducts an exercise brief at the Emergency Operations Center during the annual Destructive Weather Exercise (DWX) on MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 10, 2025. MCB Camp Lejeune held the DWX to test the base’s emergency response capabilities in order to promote flexibility and readiness during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Leo Amaro)
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kevin Madriaga, air traffic control maintenance communications technician, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, assembles a cot during the 2025 Destructive Weather Exercise (DWX) at the Fitness Sports Center on MCAS New River, Jacksonville, North Carolina, June 11, 2025. MCAS New River held the DWX to test the base’s emergency response capabilities in order to promote flexibility and readiness during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. (U.S. marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hunter Brock)