An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Community Relations
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Community Relations

 

Mission

The air station’s Community Relations program aims to foster and support military-civilian relations for MCAS Cherry Point personnel with local, state, and national communities. The program is also a means for increasing public awareness and understanding of the local military mission and is administered by MCAS Cherry Point Communication Strategy and Operations (COMMSTRAT, also known as public affairs), the office through which community support should be requested.

 

Requests

The COMMSTRAT staff processes a variety of requests for air station visits, personnel engagement, and equipment and asset support for community events.

The Department of Defense has very specific rules and guidelines regarding what kind of events are eligible for support, based on federal law. The U.S. Marine Corps may support events that are open to the public, however participation is not allowed for events that discriminate or appear to benefit or favor any private individual, special interest group, business, religion, ideology, commercial venture, political candidate or organization. Requesters must have authority to represent the requesting organization. Requests are taken on an individual basis and are reviewed to determine eligibility. Per government regulation, the requester cannot be a government employee, which includes military service members.

The type of support needed will determine what is needed to submit a request. Refer to the following information for instructions on how to submit specific requests for support:

1)  Volunteer Requests

  Marines, Sailors, and DoD personnel aboard Cherry Point are encouraged to volunteer to help the community. The COMREL administrator cannot mandate any service member to participate in an event; all involvement in an activity will be on the member’s personal time and not in an official duty status. Therefore, military uniforms, and government materials and equipment intended for official use only may not be used during one’s involvement in such events. Submit requests for volunteers for events to cherrypoint@usmc.mil including the following information:

  • Name of Event and Organization
  • Date
  • Location
  • Point of contact (include phone number and email address for additional information and where to register or sign up)
  • Specific information which outlines what the volunteers are needed to do.

Marine Volunteers

2)  Color Guard: The traditional formation of the ceremonial color guard adds dignity to any military-related activity, parade or civic event by showing respect to our nation and those who have served. Color guard requests are submitted to the COMMSTRAT Office. If the request meets DoD criteria, it is further routed to the Cherry Point and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing sergeants major for determination of availability and assignment. Request a color guard by filling out a DD Form 2536 and submit it to cherrypoint@usmc.mil.

3)  Guest Speakers

Every Marine has a story to tell, and the Corps supports them doing so at community events across the country, from small-town civic organizations to big-city national conventions. Guest speaker requests must be submitted at least 60 days in advance. Submit requests for guest speakers to cherrypoint@usmc.mil and include the following information:

  • Name of Event and Organization
  • Date
  • Location
  • Point of Contact (include phone and email information)
  • Topic (Provide ample details to aid in the coordination of an appropriate speaker.)

Note:  All visitors to the air station will be required to submit personal information necessary for security background checks.  Plan to provide this information when requested, which should be no less than two weeks prior to your visit.  

4)  Visits and Tours: 

COMMSTRAT facilitates numerous visits from citizens throughout the year. The ability to support visit requests or conduct tours is determined by potential impact to mission, operational security and availability of personnel and resources. Tours are not conducted during the weekend. Requests can be made up to 60 days in advance, and no later than two weeks before the requested date.

*MCAS Cherry Point will halt tours of the installation in April and May in preparation of the air show. Tours will resume beginning June 11, 2024. However, the May 2024 Community Tour will proceed as scheduled. Questions can be directed to cherrypoint@usmc.mil.

Community tours are conducted on the last Wednesday of the month and are available to the general public. Should it fall on a federal holiday, an alternative tour date will be arranged. The monthly tour is limited to 30 participants and books on a first come, first serve basis. Only tour requests for groups of larger than 10-15 participants will be considered. Requests should be made at least 30 days in advance of the requested date. Tours/visits are not facilitated on the weekend or Friday/Monday, and must fall within the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is a windshield tour and COMMSTRAT reserves the right to alter, modify or coordinate the route. The tour generally will not include specific stops at unit buildings and locations.

All visitors to the air station will be required to submit personal information necessary for security background checks. Submit requests to cherrypoint@usmc.mil and include the following information:

  • Name/name of organization
  • Date of visit
  • Number of visitors
  • Age of visitors
  • Proposed sites to see while visiting the air station
  • Any special accommodations, e.g., wheelchair accessibility
  • Point of contact (include phone and email information)
  • Earliest arrival time and latest departure time to help plan the itinerary

5)  Equipment Support(off-base, non-aviation):  Marine Corps ground equipment displays offer the public the opportunity to view the various tactical vehicles and equipment the Marine Corps uses daily.

Request equipment support by submitting a DD Form 2536 and to cherrypoint@usmc.mil.

Other Requests

Other requests for aviation support, such as flyovers and static displays, and the 2nd MAW Band have to be submitted to other units. The following is provided to connect solicitors to the appropriate point of contact.

1) Aviation Support

All requests for aviation support are processed through Headquarters Marine Corps.  Please refer to the HQMC Website {you will be routed to the marines.mil to make the request.}  Note:  If you receive a notice of eligibility from Headquarters Marine Corps you must contact a supporting unit per the contact information provided in the notice.  A notice of eligibility is not a commitment of support from the Marine Corps.  It only indicates that your request may legally be supported as long as an operational unit has appropriate resources available to consider your request.  Due to the extremely high volume of aviation requests no unit will contact you first.

2) Band requests
 The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band performs in a wide variety of local community events. Request should be submitted directly to the band. Visit the Band Website (https://www.2ndmaw.marines.mil/Units/2ND-MAW-Band/Band-Requests) for additional information and to submit a request.


If you have questions on how to submit any of these requests or need additional information, please call 252-466-4241 or email cherrypoint@usmc.mil for assistance.  After submitting a request, a COMMSTRAT representative will contact you within five working days.  If you do not hear from a representative, please contact us to ensure we received your request.

 

Contact Us

Commanding Officer
Communication Strategy and Operations Office
Marine Corps Air Station
PSC Box 8013
Cherry Point, N.C. 28533-0013

COMMSTRAT: (252) 466-4241
Photo Studio: (252) 466-2904
Motion Media: (252) 466-2905
Reproduction: (252) 466-2905
Fax: (252) 466-5201
E-mail:    cherrypoint@usmc.mil

 SUPPORT REQUESTS - All requests for COMSTRAT support must start with this form.  Please reply to the confirmation email with any attachments you have for your request.

 

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point