_{(Pictured L-R: County Manager David B. Cotton, Jacksonville City Manager Richard Woodruff, MCAS
Commander Col. Russell Burton, Camp Lejeune Commander Col. Michael Scalise)}

ONSLOW COUNTY, NC-- On Thursday, July 13, 2017, leadership from Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station New River, Onslow County Government and the City of Jacksonville gathered aboard Camp Lejeune to sign the first three memorandums that will make up the Military Public Partnership Initiative.

The goal of the initiative is to develop beneficial partnerships between local commands and their communities to reduce operating costs and enhance community relationships.  The Military Public Partnership Initiative is sponsored by the Department of Defense.  The signing event is the result of several meetings and working group discussions to determine the areas of mutual interest and shared responsibility between military and community leaders.

The three memorandums signed featured a Geographic Information Services (GIS) Memorandum Agreement, a Library Memorandum of Understanding and an Education K-12 Memorandum of Understanding.  Onslow County Manager David B. Cotton represented the County in the signing of the GIS Memorandum of Agreement which allows the Base to partner with the state and local governments for GIS aerial imaging collection which ensures rapid response for emergencies as well as critical mapping and tracking.  Onslow County Chairman Jack Bright was on hand to sign the Library Memorandum of Understanding, which establishes collaborative efforts between Onslow County Public Libraries and MCI-East to address challenges faced by children of military families.  The Library Memorandum of Understanding promotes specialized education resources and counseling to help with the difficulties that military families may face when transitioning to different school systems.

_{(Pictured:  Chairman Jack Bright signing the Library Memorandum of Understanding)}

Other featured attendees included Camp Lejeune Base Commander Colonel Michael Scalise, Air Station Commander Colonel Russell Burton, and Jacksonville Mayor Sammy Phillips.  According to the Marine Corps Installations East- Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Public Affairs Office, there are 22 additional formal agreements currently being coordinated to address community interests including traffic light management and emergency water back up contingencies.

To view the complete ceremony, please click here.

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