The unit will instead remain headquartered at North Carolina's Camp Lejeune.

 

According to the governor's office, Cornell Wilson, the governor’s military advisor and a retired Marine Corps Major General praised the decision.  

 

“Retaining a two-star command is very significant and evidence that North Carolina is more resolute than ever in fulfilling its historic role of providing our military and the nation with the support it needs to base and train the forces on the cutting edge of our defense,” Wilson said in a statement. 

 

Approximately 50,000 Marines are assigned to the Second Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune.