MCAS Beaufort

Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort is located five kilometers northwest of Beaufort, South Carolina. The installation encompasses 6,900 acres and was commissioned as Naval Air Station Beaufort on June 15, 1943. Initially used for advanced training of anti-submarine patrols during World War II, the station was deactivated in 1946 and reactivated in 1956. It was re-designated as a Marine Corps Air Station on March 1, 1960. The airfield was named Merritt Field in 1975 in honor of Major General Lewie G. Merritt.

The air station is operated by the U.S. Marine Corps under the command of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. It serves as the operational base for Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31). Stationed flying units include Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons VMFA-224 and VMFA-533, which operate F-35B Lightning II aircraft. The base also hosts VMFA-115 and VMFA-312, which operate F/A-18 Hornet variants. Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501) operates the F-35B, while Marine Fighter Training Squadron 402 (VMFT-402) operates F-5N Tiger II aircraft. Other resident units include Marine Air Control Squadron 2, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31, Marine Wing Support Detachment 273, and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, which operates the UC-12M Huron. The station supports anti-air warfare and offensive air support operations for Fleet Marine Forces.

Infrastructure at the station includes five V/STOL pads and a simulated landing helicopter dock. The base is associated with the Townsend Bombing Range in Georgia for air-to-ground operations and an air-to-air combat area off the coast of South Carolina and Georgia. Support facilities include the Laurel Bay housing complex, medical and dental clinics, and Department of Defense Education Activity schools. Static aircraft displayed at the station entrance include an FJ-3 Fury, A-4C Skyhawk, F-8C Crusader, F-4N Phantom II, F/A-18 Hornet, and HH-46D Sea Knight.