MCAS Beaufort, SC

Beaufort, SC 29904 | Base Operator: DSN: 832-7100

MCAS Beaufort: Overview

The mission of this base is to provide support as an operational base for the Marine Aircraft Group (MAG-31) and its support units. The mission of the MAG-31 Group is to carry out anti-warfare and offensive air support operations in support of Fleet Marine Forces from advanced bases, expeditionary airfields or aircraft carriers and to conduct other similar air operations as directed.

MCAS Beaufort: Education

Marines stationed at MCAS Beaufort should consider utilizing the Tuition Assistance (TA) Program and GI Bill to earn a college degree. Online schools are perfect for all service members, since they deliver a high quality education in a 100% online format. In other words, you can complete coursework anytime, anywhere. You may want to request information from a number of these schools. Start by clicking the "Find A School" button below:

MCAS Beaufort: Location

MCAS Beaufort is home for all active duty USMC F/A-18 air operations on the East Coast that are assigned to MAG-31. The MCAS Beaufort, SC air station is affiliated with a large air-to-air combat area neighboring South Carolina and Georgia and is, also, affiliated with an air-to-ground combat and bombing range in McIntosh County, Georgia. A housing complex, which furnishes military family housing, is connected to this base at Laurel Bay. Other communities in the area include Hilton Head Island, SC, Rincon, GA, Wilmington Island, GA, Savannah, GA, Garden City, GA, Pooler, GA, Summerville, SC, Charleston, SC, North Charleston, SC, Richmond Hill, GA, Ladson, SC, Hanahan, SC, Goose Creek, SC, Mount Pleasant, SC, Fort Stewart, GA.

MCAS Beaufort: Interesting Facts

This air station was commissioned on June 15, 1943 for advanced training operations of anti-submarine patrols during World War II.
The airfield was named Merritt Field on September 19, 1975, in honor of Major General Lewie G. Merritt, SSMCR of Ridge Spring, SC. He was awarded the Bronze Star "for meritorious conduct as commanding general" during World War II, at which time he was shot down by a German Nazi warplane, while a passenger on a Royal Air Force plane.
A bi-annual MCAS air show is open to the public and in April of 2007, there was a fatal crash of an aircraft of the Blue Angels demonstration team.
"Fightertown East" is the nickname for MCAS Beaufort, SC.