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Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

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Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

With nearly seven thousand acres and six F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet squadrons, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina is an important part of the Marine Corps mission. Located in the low country of South Carolina, MCAS Beaufort is roughly 65 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina and approximately 50 miles north of Savannah, Georgia.

Find information about Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PSCing personnel, and inprocessing.

MCAS Beaufort Mission & Units

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort is host to all active duty F/A-18 Hornet flying operations along the east coast. The air station supports Marine Air Group 31 mission requirements including anti-air-warfare, and air support operations in support of Fleet Marine Forces.

Hornet squadrons from MCAS Beaufort are commonly deployed for six-month training missions to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan.

Important units at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina include:

  • Combat Logistics Company 23
  • Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS)
  • Marine Air Control Squadron 2, Det-A
  • Marine Aircraft Group-31
  • Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533
  • Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31
  • Marine Fighter All Weather Fighter Attack Sqdn 224
  • Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115
  • Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122
  • Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251
  • Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312
  • Marine Wing Support Squadron 273
  • Strike Fighter Attack Squadron 86 (Sidewinders)

MCAS Beaufort History

The full history of this air station is not well developed, even on the MCAS Beaufort official site. What is best known is that the area was used as a staging area for British soldiers during the American Revolution, and later by both sides during the Civil War.

This South Carolina Marine Corps air station got a formal start as a United States military operation circa 1943 when the Civil Aeronautics Authority created Naval Air Station Beaufort to conduct advanced training of anti-submarine patrol squadrons.

The facility would be re-designated as Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in 1960, and has seen more than one type of flying mission over the years including the USMC F-8 Crusader and the F-4 Phantom II. Today’s flying missions at Beaufort represent the entire Hornet mission on the east coast.

MCAS Beaufort Contacts

Main Address And Phone Numbers

MCAS Beaufort
Cunningham Street & Drayton Street
Beaufort, SC 29906

  • 843-228-7158
  • DSN 312-335-7158

Important Contact Numbers

  • Emergency – 911
  • Base Operator – (843) 228-7100
  • Child Development Center/Laurel Bay – (843) 846-1160
  • Child Development Center/MCAS Beaufort – (843) 228-7290
  • Child Care Resource & Referral – (843) 747-9900
  • School Liaison Office –  (843) 228-6128
  • Child Care Resource and Referral – (843) 228-7290
  • Family Child Care – (843) 228-7279
  • Branch Medical Clinic – (843) 228-7051
  • Branch Dental Clinic – (843) 228-7512
  • Beaufort Naval Hospital – (843) 228-5600
  • Barracks/Single Service Member Housing – (843) 228-6454
  • Personnel Support Office – (843) 228-7333
  • Temporary Lodging/Billeting – (843) 522-1663
  • Welcome/Visitors Center – (843) 228-7750
  • Civilian Personnel Office – (843) 228-7333
  • Finance Office – (843) 228-8459
  • Housing Office/Government Housing – (843) 228-6000
  • ID/CAC Card Processing – (843) 228-7941
  • Legal Services/JAG – (843) 228-7330
  • Personnel Services, MCCS – (843) 228-3188
  • Career Resource Management Center – (843) 228-7701
  • MCCS Coordinator – (843) 228-7333
  • Marine Corps Community Service – (843) 228-7400
  • Marine and Family Services – Family Advocacy – (843) 228-6126
  • Marine and Family Services – (843) 228-7353
  • Family Child Care – (843) 228-1580
  • New Parent Support Program – (843) 466-0082
  • Legal Assistance – (843) 228-7330
  • Victim Advocate Services – (843) 592-0646
  • Installation Personnel Administration Center – (843) 228-8459
  • Housing Office – (843) 228-6000
  • Tri-Command Military Housing – (843) 379-5300
  • DeTreville House (TLF) – (843) 522-1663
  • ID/CAC Card Processing – (843) 228-7941

MCAS Beaufort Surrounding Area

Beaufort an area known for flooding, high tide, hurricanes, etc. Renter’s insurance is strongly recommended. The cost of living for this area can be high for junior service members.

Those interested in exploring the surrounding area have many options within 50 to 75 miles of the base including Savannah, Georgia, but the immediate area is rich in history. You can take a self-guided walking tour of the National Historic District or hop on a horse-and-buggy tour for an hour of historic sights.

The Gullah Cultural History Museum is dedicated to the preservation of history and culture in the area and driving on Route 21 will take sightseers to ruins left over from the American Revolution and the Civil War.

There are plenty of things to do along the water outside the base, including shoreline tours or take a trip across the many area islands to Hunting Island State Park. There is plenty of boating, kayaking, fishing, and more in this area including a 1120-foot fishing pier which stretches into the Fripp Inlet at Hunting Island; the island is also home to the only open-to-the-public lighthouse in the area.

MCAS Beaufort Inprocessing and Check-In

Inprocessing and check-in procedures for MCAS Beaufort will vary depending on the gaining unit.

  • New MAG-31 Arrivals: Check in with the MAG-31 Station S-1. Troops with assignments that fall under MAG-31 jurisdiction include MALS-31, VMFA-115, VMFA-122, VMFA(AW)-224, VMFA-251, VMFA-312, VFMA (AW)-533, VMFAT-501 and MWSS-273.
  • Headquarters Personnel: Anyone with orders to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron will check in with the Station S-1, located in building 601, Room 125B.
  • Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 Personnel: Check in with the Station S-1, located in building 601, Room 125B.
  • Combat Logistics Company 23 Personnel: These troops are directed to check in with their respective units in Building 614.
  • MACS-2, Detachment A Personnel: Check in with your respective unit in Building 662.

All newcomers are required to bring their original orders to the gaining command to be endorsed before visiting the Installation Personnel Administration Center. Those who check in after normal duty hours must do so with the Air Station Officer of the Day in Building 601 at the Headquarters Duty Desk.

MCAS Beaufort Services

Health Care

On-base health care services are limited. There is a Branch Medical Clinic at MCAS Beaufort is for active duty service members only. Appointments can be made at 843-228-7051. Dental clinic services are also available on base for active duty only.

All others in need of medical care may use the Beaufort Naval Hospital, which serves patients in both portions of South Carolina and Georgia. This facility is roughly halfway between MCAS Beaufort and Marine Corps Recruiting Depot Parris Island. It is described as a smallish facility with the following services are available:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Dermatology
  • Family Orthopedic Surgery
  • Pediatrics
  • Pharmacy
  • Acute Care Clinic
  • Psychiatry
  • Podiatry
  • Radiology
  • Social Work Services

Call 843-228-5600 for appointments.

Child Care

MCAS Beaufort is served by the Child Development Center, which offers care for children between six weeks and five years of age. There are full time care options, part-day options for 3-5 year olds, and part-time child care options.

Hourly care requires a reservation, which can be made up to 14 days ahead of time. School-age care for children between the ages of five and 12 years of age is another option.

A waiting list may apply depending on demand, mission requirements, and other factors. MCAS Beaufort also offers Family Child Care (FCC) options which are provided by air station residents on on-base housing. There is also extended emergency care available to those who face emergency child care circumstances when regular care is unavailable.

Household Goods

All new arrivals should use the Defense Personal Property System to track and manage household goods shipments at Move.mil. New arrivals are also directed to contact the MCAS Beaufort Inbound Distribution Management Office (DMO) as soon as they arrive to determine the status of household goods, whether they have arrived ahead of the service member, etc.

Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, And New Issue

All appointments for DEERS/ID Card Processing services at MCAS Beaufort may be scheduled online via RAPIDS. Walk-in services are available, but waiting times can be an hour or longer depending on mission requirements and other factors. In most cases, sponsors must be present to obtain dependent ID card services and two valid, unexpired forms of ID may be required.

Some forms of ID needed to establish the identity of the dependent or retiree may be required to comply with REAL ID Act rules depending on current installation guidance and other variables. Adding dependents or getting new dependent ID cards may require birth certificates and other supporting documentation. More information is at (843) 228-7941.

MCAS Beaufort Schools

The air station is served by three Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools open to all children who reside on base at MCAS Beaufort, MCRD Parris Island, or Naval Hospital Beaufort:

  • Galer Elementary School, for grades pre-Kindergarten through 2nd;
  • Elliott Elementary School for grades pre-Kindergarten through 2nd;
  • Bolden Elementary/Middle School for grades 3rd through 8th.

Other students including those who live off-base, may attend school depending on their location in one of the following school districts:

  • Beaufort County School District
  • Jasper County School District
  • Colleton County School District
  • Hampton County School District 1

Immunization, registration, and graduation requirements may vary depending on the school. It’s best to contact the MCAS Beaufort School Liaison Office (SLO) for assistance with school placement issues before attempting to register a child in school for the next applicable school year. Contact the SLO at (843) 228-6128 as soon as you know you are assigned to MCAS Beaufort.

MCAS Beaufort Housing

Housing aboard the air station is privatized and operated in partnership with the Atlantic Marine Corps Communities at Tri-Command. This service is offered to those assigned to several area military bases including Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Beaufort Naval Hospital.

There may be a waitlist for on-base housing depending on PCS season, mission requirements, and other factors.

The Military Housing Office should be contacted for assistance with placement in on-base housing as soon as your assignment is known, and for those who choose off-base housing options instead, you are required to contact the housing office prior to entering into any binding agreement for local, non-government provided housing.

Unaccompanied service members will also be placed or assisted by the Military Housing Office-contact them as soon as your orders are known for best results. Call (843) 228-6000 for more information or to get started.

MCAS Beaufort PCS and TDY Lodging

The Detreville House provides temporary lodging facilities on the air station but there is a high demand for these rooms and newcomers are advised to make reservations as soon as possible once the assignment is known.

High-demand PCS season and other variables may require some inbound troops and families to seek off-base accommodations, but in order to be reimbursed for commercial facilities, a statement of non-availability is required. No pets are allowed in temporary lodging facilities on MCAS Beaufort, and there are no on-base kennel or pet housing services. Call to make advance reservations at 843-522-1663.

MCAS Beaufort Transportation

Travel to the base is available via the usual commercial providers include taxi service, rideshare, and privately operated shuttle services.

MCAS Beaufort Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License

New arrivals should register their privately owned vehicles on base at the Visitor’s Center in building 859 near the front gate. All vehicles to be registered must have current paperwork, drivers must have current military ID and current driver’s licenses, and motorcycle riders are required to pass a safety course if they are under 25 years of age. All vehicles are subject to a 100% ID check and searches at any time.

All vehicles must comply with South Carolina requirements including any applicable emissions testing, safety equipment (seat belt use and helmet use for motorcyclists), and all state-required insurance coverage must be carried as directed.