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Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, often abbreviated as MCAS Beaufort, is a significant United States Marine Corps air base situated in the vicinity of Beaufort, a city nestled within Beaufort County, South Carolina, in the United States. Its official designation includes Merritt Field, a nod to a distinguished figure in Marine Corps aviation. This strategically important installation is located approximately 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) northwest of Beaufort's central business district. The air station is a bustling hub, currently supporting around 4,700 personnel. It serves as the home for a formidable contingent of Marine Corps aircraft, including multiple F/A-18 Hornet fighter-attack squadrons and, increasingly, F-35B Lightning II squadrons, marking a significant transition in air combat capabilities.

Site Information

The base itself is owned by the Department of Defense and operated by the US Marine Corps. Its operational control falls under the purview of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, a testament to its integral role in the Marine Corps' air combat structure. Unlike some military installations, MCAS Beaufort is not open to the general public for routine access, maintaining a controlled environment for its critical operations. Its official website, beaufort.marines.mil, serves as the primary public-facing portal for information regarding the station.

Location and Coordinates

MCAS Beaufort is geographically situated within the southeastern United States. Its precise location is marked by the coordinates 32°28′38″N 080°43′23″W. These coordinates place it within the broader context of the United States, specifically in the coastal region of South Carolina.

Site History

The genesis of this air station dates back to 1943, when it was established as Naval Air Station Beaufort. Its initial purpose during World War II was to facilitate advanced training for anti-submarine patrols, a critical mission in the Atlantic theater. Following the cessation of hostilities, the station was deactivated in 1946, only to be reactivated in 1956, signaling a renewed strategic importance.

A significant shift in its operational identity occurred on March 1, 1960, when it was officially re-designated as Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. This marked its transition into a fully Marine Corps-operated facility.

The airfield itself was formally named Merritt Field on September 19, 1975. This honor was bestowed in tribute to Major General Lewie G. Merritt, a graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina in 1917. Merritt, a native of Ridge Spring, South Carolina, was a true pioneer in Marine Aviation. His distinguished career spanned both World Wars, and he commanded several pivotal flying units in the South Pacific during World War II. Post-retirement, he continued to serve the public as legal counsel to the South Carolina Legislature, embodying a life of dedicated service.

The air station commands a substantial footprint, encompassing approximately 6,900 acres (28 km²). Its operational reach extends beyond its immediate boundaries, with association to a vast air-to-air combat training area situated off the coast of South Carolina and Georgia. Furthermore, it is linked to the Townsend Bombing Range, a 5,200-acre (21 km²) facility in McIntosh County, Georgia, dedicated to air-to-ground combat training and ordnance delivery. Complementing the operational facilities is the Laurel Bay housing complex, located three miles (5 km) from the station, providing essential family housing for military personnel.

Historically, MCAS Beaufort was a critical base for F-8 Crusader and F-4 Phantom II operations. Today, it stands as the sole East Coast operational base for all active-duty USMC F/A-18 air operations. These aircraft and their associated squadrons fall under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31). The primary mission of MCAS Beaufort is to provide comprehensive support to MAG-31 and its subordinate squadrons, along with other Marine Corps support units and tenant U.S. Navy strike fighter squadrons. The overarching mission of Marine Aircraft Group 31 is to conduct anti-air warfare and offensive air support operations in direct support of Fleet Marine Forces, operating from forward bases, expeditionary airfields, or aircraft carriers. This group is also tasked with executing any other directed air operations. Previously, two Navy F/A-18 strike fighter squadrons, operating under the Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic at NAS Oceana, Virginia, were also homeported at MCAS Beaufort. The station functions as a self-contained community, housing nearly 4,000 active-duty servicemembers and over 700 civilian employees.

In common with many air bases, MCAS Beaufort hosts a bi-annual air show, a popular event that opens its gates to the public. A tragic incident occurred during the April 2007 air show when an aircraft from the renowned Blue Angels demonstration team was involved in a fatal crash.

MCAS Beaufort proudly carries the nickname "Fightertown East." This designation draws a parallel to its West Coast counterpart, MCAS Miramar in San Diego, California, which is more widely recognized as "Fightertown" or "Fightertown USA." The latter moniker was acquired during its tenure under Navy control as NAS Miramar.

The station's infrastructure includes a Dental Clinic that shares facilities with the Medical Clinic. The Dental Clinic is staffed by five to seven dentists dedicated to ensuring the oral health of the personnel serving in the various squadrons.

The impactful 1979 film The Great Santini, a cinematic adaptation of the novel penned by Pat Conroy, was largely set at MCAS Beaufort during the early 1960s and saw filming take place both on the base and in the surrounding local areas, further embedding the station in popular culture.

Tenant Squadrons

The following flying units are based at MCAS Beaufort, contributing to its formidable air power:

Insignia Squadron Code Callsign/Nickname Assigned Aircraft Operational Assignment
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 224 VMFA-224 Bengals F-35B Lightning II 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 533 VMFA-533 Hawks F-35B Lightning II 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 VMFA-312 Checkerboards F/A-18C Hornet 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 VMFAT-501 Warlords F-35B Lightning II 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Marine Fighter Training Squadron 402 VMFT-402 Grim Reapers F-5N Tiger II 4th Marine Aircraft Wing

Based Units

Beyond the primary flying squadrons, MCAS Beaufort hosts a variety of other essential units, both aviation-related and support-focused:

United States Marine Corps

Aircraft on Display

At the entrance to the base, several historic aircraft serve as enduring symbols of Marine Corps aviation heritage:

Education

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) oversees the educational institutions for children residing on MCAS Beaufort. This includes children of Department of Defense employees and civilian federal government workers living in permanent housing. DoDEA operates Elliott Elementary School, catering to Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 2, and Bolden Elementary/Middle School, which serves grades 3 through 8.

The Beaufort County School District (BCSD) is responsible for the public high schools that serve students from MCAS Beaufort. In fact, BCSD educates the largest number of students affiliated with the base. Battery Creek High School is the designated public high school for MCAS Beaufort. While BCSD does not explicitly define elementary school zoning for MCAS Beaufort, as of 2024, Robert Smalls International Academy has been designated as the zoned middle school.

See Also