“Col. Kevin Cratzer, left, the incoming commanding officer, receives the battalion guidon from Col. Clifford Magee, right, the outgoing commanding officer of Marine Corps Embassy Security Group during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Quantico,” announced Marine Corps Base Quantico.
“A change of command is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commanding officer to another.”
“Marine Corps Base Quantico operates 43 live-fire ranges that support training from small arms to explosive demolitions to artillery fire to the delivery of live-aerial munitions,” Marine Corps Base Quantico announced. “Because training on Quantico is continuous, residents can expect to always hear some noise or feel vibrations.”
The base released its schedule for multiple live fire demonstrations from June 5 through June 12, including events with 50-pound non-fragmenting charges, .50 caliber weapons, and extended overnight sessions on several days. Impacts on noise and vibrations in surrounding communities can vary based on location and weather. For real-time updates, the base recommends following its official Facebook page.
Quantico residents lost power Thursday evening, May 21, after an osprey nested on an electric pole. The outage hit the entire small Prince William County town around 10 p.m.
Dominion Energy crews responded quickly and restored service. The company identified the osprey on a pole along C Street as the cause. Town officials thanked Steve and Roger from Dominion Virginia Power for their fast work and clear explanation.
Marine Corps Base Quantico will conduct live-fire training from May 21 through June 5, 2026, with most activity taking place during daytime hours.
Residents near the base in Prince William and Stafford counties can generally expect noise, vibrations or illuminations from roughly 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on many days, though some sessions end earlier in the afternoon.
The National Museum of the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation are set to host a special evening of live music on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 7 to 8 p.m. The free indoor performance will bring together the Dordt University Wind Symphony and the Quantico Marine Band in the museum’s Leatherneck Gallery, offering the public a unique blend of collegiate and military musical talent amid iconic Marine Corps exhibits.
The concert is part of the Dordt University Wind Symphony’s 2026 national spring break tour, which takes the ensemble from northwest Iowa through the Midwest to the East Coast and back. Directed by Dr. Onsby C. Rose, the performance highlights the group’s repertoire, which often includes works by composers such as Robert Jager, Frank Ticheli, John Mackey, and David Maslanka.
Students at Quantico Middle/High School began classes this month in a newly built $54 million campus on Marine Corps Base Quantico.
Key Takeaways
The museum said the closure takes effect at midnight because of a lapse in federal funding and will remain in place until further notice. Officials thanked the public for its understanding and said they look forward to reopening when funding is restored.
“Gate 4 (Russell Road/Commissary Gate) is open and operating its normal hours,” Marine Corps Base Quantico announced. “As a reminder: Gate 6 (Onville Road/TBS Gate) is still closed until further notice.”
“The base is still in a Code Red status, essential personnel only,” the installation stated. “The roads remain slick and drivers are encouraged to exercise caution and avoid driving if possible.”
