MCAS Cherry Point News

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Aaron Smith, an expeditionary firefighting and rescue specialist with Aircraft, Rescue, and Firefighting, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, stands beside a P-19R ARFF truck at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, July 11, 2025. Marines with ARFF conducted pit drills to practice advancing toward a simulated fuel fire, pushing it into a single location and suppressing the fire, with goals of sharpening communication skills and building teamwork and trust on the firegrounds. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samantha Rodriguez) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Aaron Smith, an expeditionary firefighting and rescue specialist with Aircraft, Rescue, and Firefighting, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, stands beside a P-19R ARFF truck at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, July 11, 2025.

Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 barracks’ newly renovated kitchen awaits guests prior to the grand opening ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, July 2, 2025. MCAS Cherry Point opens the Warrior Athlete Readiness and Resilience Kitchen to promote healthy lifestyle choices with the sampling of recipes from the WARR recipe cookbook, and to enhance Marines' quality of life in the barracks with the addition of a new hooded oven, refrigerator, air fryer, microwave, and cooking utensils. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by PFC. Sorayma Garcia) - Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 barracks’ newly renovated kitchen awaits guests prior to the grand opening ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, July 2, 2025.

Graduates of the MQ-9 Reaper aircraft Ground Control System technician course stand for a photo with Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Cherry Point leadership and instructors, during a graduation ceremony at the Cherry Point Public House, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 18, 2025. The graduation of the first class of MQ-9 Reaper aircraft GCS technicians established the military occupational specialty and marked a step towards the implementation of Force Design 2030 - the official doctrine published by the Marine Corps to outline the evolution of the organization's warfighting in the 21st century. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Gavilanes) - Graduates of the MQ-9 Reaper aircraft Ground Control System technician course stand for a photo with Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Cherry Point leadership and instructors, during a graduation ceremony at the Cherry Point Public House, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 18, 2025.

Sean Wales, a foreign object debris attendant, left; Scott Nickson, the FOD Supervisor; Timothy Fraunfelder, a FOD attendant; and Rudolf Zanaska, a FOD attendant; stand in front of a FOD blower at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Feb. 25, 2025. FOD blowing is a crucial operation at MCAS Cherry Point that uses air powered equipment to clear debris from runways and airfields, ensuring the safety and efficiency of aviation operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Casey Ornelas) - Sean Wales, a foreign object debris attendant, left; Scott Nickson, the FOD Supervisor; Timothy Fraunfelder, a FOD attendant; and Rudolf Zanaska, a FOD attendant; stand in front of a FOD blower at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Feb. 25, 2025.

Graham Gunter, a military legislative correspondent to Sen. Ted Budd, left, listens as U.S. Marine Corps Col. Brendan Burks, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, discusses operational capabilities, during a stop at the VMFA-251 aircraft maintenance hangar, during a staff delegation visit at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, April 23, 2025. The staff delegation visit was part of a comprehensive trip to visit military installations in eastern North Carolina to assess military readiness, construction, infrastructure, and quality-of-life initiatives, on behalf of Budd, who serves as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Gavilanes) - Graham Gunter, a military legislative correspondent to Sen. Ted Budd, left, listens as U.S. Marine Corps Col. Brendan Burks, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, discusses operational capabilities, during a stop at the VMFA-251 aircraft maintenance hangar, during a staff delegation visit at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, April 23, 2025.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Matthew Freire, left, an aircraft avionics technician, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing is awarded Service Person of the Quarter for Carteret County and Jennifer Merlo, a chairperson with the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee reads off his achievements during a ceremony at the Cherry Point Public House, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Feb. 26, 2025. Lance Cpl. Freire was recognized for his contributions to his command and dedication to his community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jade Farrington) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Matthew Freire, left, an aircraft avionics technician, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing is awarded Service Person of the Quarter for Carteret County and Jennifer Merlo, a chairperson with the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee reads off his achievements during a ceremony at the Cherry Point Public House, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Feb. 26, 2025.

The first classes of MQ-9A Reaper mechanics and technicians, the instructors, and Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Cherry Point leaders stand for a group photo at the Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron 2, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, hangar, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Dec. 12, 2024. The graduation of the courses is a milestone accomplishment toward fulfilling the Marine Corps’ commitment to improving its capabilities to meet the global challenges of the 21st century. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Gavilanes) - The first classes of MQ-9A Reaper mechanics and technicians, the instructors, and Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Cherry Point leaders stand for a group photo at the Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron 2, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, hangar, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Dec. 12, 2024.

The Sudden Crisis exercise is an annual training event to evaluate command and control, reporting, and collaboration with external organizations while also validating tactics, techniques, and procedures and improve the emergency response capabilities of the installation’s personnel through various scenarios to ensure the air station’s readiness to respond effectively during elevated force protection conditions. - U.S. Marines with the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Special Reaction Team clear the hallways of the Naval Health Clinic, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point during a Sudden Crisis exercise at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, Dec. 10, 2024. The Sudden Crisis exercise is an annual training event to evaluate command and control, reporting, and collaboration with external organizations while also validating tactics, techniques, and procedures and improve the emergency response capabilities of the installation’s personnel through various scenarios to ensure the air station’s readiness to respond effectively during elevated force protection conditions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Isabella Ramos)

The event announced the beginning of construction for a state-of-the-art 18,000-square-foot library to improve the quality of life for service members, civilian personnel and families. - Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Facilities Director and Facilities Engineering and Acquisition Division team stands together for a photograph after a groundbreaking ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Dec. 4, 2024. The event announced the beginning of construction for a state-of-the-art 18,000-square-foot library to improve the quality of life for service members, civilian personnel and families. Pictured here, from left to right, are FEAD Contracting Specialist Linda Clark, Contracting Branch Head Ericka Bishop, Architecture Design Supervisor Heather Perry, Facilities Director U.S Navy Cmdr. Chris Over, Construction Manager Johnathan Roberts, Engineer Technician Kelly Wilkerson, Design Manager Leira Peed, Contracting Officer Juan Barra, Engineer Technician Chris Batchelor, and FEAD Director U.S Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Scaplehorn. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Gavilanes)

The event, hosted by Marine Corps Community Services, kicked off a series of holiday activities aimed at boosting morale and spreading holiday cheer among service members, civilian personnel, and their families. Highlights included a holiday selfie station, a Letters to Santa station, a Santa Claus meet-and-greet, and complimentary cookies and hot cocoa. - The Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Christmas tree is lit outside the Marine Corps Exchange after the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Dec. 5, 2024. The event, hosted by Marine Corps Community Services, kicked off a series of holiday activities aimed at boosting morale and spreading holiday cheer among service members, civilian personnel, and their families. Highlights included a holiday selfie station, a Letters to Santa station, a Santa Claus meet-and-greet, and complimentary cookies and hot cocoa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Gavilanes)