Article - Marine Aircraft Group 31 MCAS Beaufort - 2016

Marine Aircraft Group 31 MCAS Beaufort

Marine Air Group 31 (MAG-31) falls under the command of the 2nd Marine Air Wing (2nd MAW) headquarters at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point North Carolina. MAG-31 is home to six Marine Corps F/A-18 "Hornet" fighter-attack squadrons and one F-35B "Lightning II" training squadron all based upon MCAS Beaufort Merritt Field (KNBC) South Carolina.

MCAS Beaufort also known as "Fighter Town East" was purchased by the Department of Defence (DoD) in 1943 and has remained under the control of the Marine Corps until present day. Merritt Field was named in honour of Major General Lewie G Merritt of the USMC. The Air Station covers a little under 7,000 square metres, has two runways 3719 metres (12200 ft) and 2438 metres (8000 ft). The base is home to just under 5,000 personnel with base housing 3 miles away at Laurel Bay SC.
MAG-31 also utilises the air-to-ground combat bombing range in Mcintosh County Georgia which has a 5,200 acres at present with the option to purchase another 1,000 acres if required.

MCAS Beaufort Mission 
" The mission of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron is to support and enhance the combat readiness of the squadrons located aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, improving the quality of life for military personnel, their families and the work force assigned to the Air Station."

Base Motto
"The Noise You Hear, is the Sound of FREEDOM." 

Units
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 (MALS-31)
Marine Wing Support Detachment 31 (MWSD-31)
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 (VMFA-115) F/A-18+ "Silver Eagles"
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 (VMFA-122) F/A-18C "Crusaders"
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron All Weather (VMFA(AW)-224) F/A-18D "Bengals"
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 (VMFA-251) F/A-18C "Thunderbolts"
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 (VMFA-312) F/A-18A "Checkerboards"
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron Training 501 (VMFAT-501) F-35B "Warlords"
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron All Weather 533 (VMFA(AW)-533) F/A-18D "Hawks"

Although exact numbers were not given during our November 2016 visit but around 100 F/A-18s and F-35Bs are thought to be based along with the RAF's 617 sqn F-35Bs which are currently growing in numbers and training with VMFAT-501.

As always a big thank you to the PAO team on MCAS Beaufort and MAG-31 command for hosting the ramp tour of the base.

Author Mark Forest
Photography Mark Forest, Peter Nelson and Mark Burden

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