This week’s News and announcements include:
UPDATE Slocum Gate Closure
UPDATE Gate Operations During Slocum Closure
NEW OSHA General Industry Course
Hurricane Season Underway
Water Quality Report
Vacation Bible School at Chapel
Budget for Baby Class
NMCRS Crochet Class
Visiting Nurse Services
Office Closures and Services Nonavailability
NEW Approved Outages and Closures
NEW MCCS Weekly Happenings
Extra Opportunities*
Slocum Gate Closure, Begins July 6
The Slocum Gate at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point will be temporarily closed starting July 6, 2026, for approximately five weeks. This closure is necessary to install critical security and infrastructure upgrades. Traffic disruptions are anticipated both on base and in the surrounding community during peak morning and afternoon commute times, 6–8 a.m. and 3–5 p.m., weekdays, and particularly along NC Highway 101 and US 70 Business route in Havelock, North Carolina.
To mitigate traffic congestion, the installation will offer special opening times and modify traffic patterns at some of its access control points. Officials are also strongly advising eastbound drivers (approaching the installation from New Bern) to use the Havelock Bypass to route traffic around the city for smoother traffic flow. To reduce the possibility of traffic bottlenecks, access to commercial vehicles or large transport trucks, and traffic will be prohibited between 5–9 a.m. on weekdays. See the recommended routes for personnel.
Gate Operations During Slocum Gate Closure, Starting July 6
Main Gate: 24 hours, seven days a week (24/7).
Cunningham Gate: 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday–Friday; 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
Mary Lou Gate: Inbound traffic only, from 6–8 a.m., Monday–Fridayand to outbound traffic only, from 3–5 p.m., Monday–Friday
Catawba Gate: Open during the morning (6–8 a.m.), ONLY to designated essential personnel with an official special-access pass provided by the Provost Marshal’s Office.
Safety Offers OSHA Training
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Safety will offer the 10-Hour OSHA General Industry Course to personnel, from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., July 21-22, 2026. The course spans two days and provides a general list of safety topics associated with workplace hazards including recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of hazards. Up to 17 seats are available. Enroll for the course at the link: 10-Hour OSHA Course or email CHPT_SAFETY_SMB@usmc.mil.
Be Ready During Hurricane Season
Atlantic hurricane season is officially here. Running from June 1 to Nov. 30, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, has forecast 8-14 named storms. Preparation is the best defense against inclement weather. Take action now to be ready when storms occur:
-
Review and practice your emergency action plan.
-
Build or restock your disaster supply kits (water, non-perishable food, batteries, first aid supplies, etc.)
-
Secure your property and know your evacuation routes.
-
During the season, monitor official command communications and local weather forecasts. Stay safe and stay prepared!
Visit ReadyMarineCorps for more information.
Water Quality Report Available
The Environmental Affairs Department, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, presents the Annual Water Quality Report, as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act. The report discloses drinking water quality from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025, and compares it to standards set by regulatory agencies. MCAS Cherry Point community water system (PWS 04-25-035) remained compliant with all National Primary Drinking Water Standards required of federal and state regulations. The report also provides information concerning water conservation, cross-connection control, and plant operations. The report can be accessed at https://www.cherrypoint.marines.mil/Portals/86/Docs/WaterQualityReports/Current Drinking Water Quality Report.pdf. To obtain a hard copy of the report or for questions, call the Environmental Affairs Department at 252-466-5917.
Vacation Bible School
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Chapel hosts Vacation Bible School for school-aged children from first to fourth graders from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 20-24, 2026. VBS will be presented as a camp getaway with activities that include archery, crafts, outdoor games, Bible study, a field trip to an area faith-based camp and retreat center, and more. Lunch will be provided daily. Contact the Chapel by email or call 252-466-4000 to register.
Budget for Baby Class
The next Budget for Baby® classes with open spots is 10 a.m., June 26, and July 10, 2026. The class focuses on the financial impact of adding a new family member. Use the link to register for an upcoming 2025 class: https://forms.office.com/r/5NNRZTYfr7 or call 252-466-2031 or email cherrypoint@nmcrs.org. Participants will receive a $50 gift card and handmade blanket at the end of the class. Eligible to those expecting or who have had a child within the past six months. The class is open to all ranks.
NMCRS Crochet Class for Volunteers
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society is seeking individuals to volunteer to crochet blanks for its Budget for Babies class. If you’re wanting to give back to your Cherry Point Community and learn how to crochet — this class is for you. Sept. 18, 2026, is the next open crochet class. Volunteers would be entered into the organization’s volunteer database and receive 30 hours of community service for each completed blanket. Volunteers Miriam and Melissa will teach the class. Active-duty military volunteers will also receive a letter of appreciation after completion. Open to everyone. Click the link to sign up: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Crochet Class Sign Up Form – Fill out form.
Visiting Nurse Services
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society offers the services of a free Visiting Nurse, Donna, who would be able to schedule appointments with expecting parents to do a range of services including home safety assessments and prenatal and postpartum feeding and care. Expecting parents who wish to be seen by the visiting nurse, should contact the NMCRS Office at 252-466-2031 for a referral form.
Approved Outages and Closures
Power Outage
From 7–9 a.m., June 27, a power outage is required at Bay D of Building 159 to remove power to facilitate maintenance on the water heater.
From 7 a.m., June 22 to 5 p.m., Aug. 2, a power outage for the bollard system at Slocum Gate is required to disconnect power in preparation for upcoming construction work along Slocum Road, near Slocum Gate.
From 2–4 p.m., June 24, a power outage is required at Building 145 to install temporary power for Military Construction Project 226.
Road Lane Closure
From 8 a.m. June 24 to 4:30 p.m., July 31, the intersection of 3rd Avenue (between Buildings 3383 and 3452) and Fitness Loop Road (from Building 4322 to Building 289) will be closed to facilitate the replacement of the gravity sewer line.
Ongoing Outages/Closures:
MCCS Weekly Happenings
Follow MCCS at (https://www.facebook.com/mccschpt/) for more information and updates and to stay connected. Also find more information at https://cherrypoint.usmc-mccs.org/calendar-of-events. This week's happenings include: WHODUNIT for Teens; Summer Reading; SMP: Country Line Dancing, Music Club, DND, Karaoke; Marine Family Life: EFMP Tie Dye and Science Lab; The Buzz about Bees; 4th of July Celebration at Camp Lejeune and more. …