As if to show a sign of respect, the threatening rain held off a bit toward the end of a change-of-command ceremony Friday morning at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point as retiring Col. Mikel R. Huber relinquished command of the air station to Col. Brendan C. Burks.
DoD reports more than 250,000 COVID-19 cases
DoD COVID-19 fatality rate is 0.12%
The U.S. military’s overarching objective is clear: defeat the enemy. For the past 12 months, COVID-19 has been an enemy.
On March 12, 2020, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune recorded its first case of the virus when a dependent tested positive while three Marines were self quarantining after returning from overseas. Within a matter of days, schools on base closed and the base hospital set up two screening sites and a phone line to help curtail community spread.
One year later, the fight continues against COVID-19.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Julian D. Alford, commanding general, Marine Corps Installations East - MCB Camp Lejeune, says the base’s commitment to readiness, training, health and safety has not waivered over the past year.