MCAS Cherry Point News

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Michael Guard, a forward air control officer assigned to Headquarters Company, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, and Cpl. Aviel Solomon, a fire support Marine assigned to 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, perform a radio check during Mjolnir Strike, Bombing Target 11, Piney Island, North Carolina, Aug. 10, 2022. Mjolnir Strike, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller training exercise, is designed to instruct individual Marines to coordinate offensive air operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Walker) - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Michael Guard, a forward air control officer assigned to Headquarters Company, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, and Cpl. Aviel Solomon, a fire support Marine assigned to 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, perform a radio check during Mjolnir Strike, Bombing Target 11, Piney Island, North Carolina, Aug. 10, 2022. Mjolnir Strike, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller training exercise, is designed to instruct individual Marines to coordinate offensive air operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Walker)

Bombing Target 11 Hosts JTAC Training

U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force conducted a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training exercise at Bombing Target 11 (BT-11), Piney Island, North Carolina, Aug. 10, 2022. The training qualifies Marines to make direct communications with aircraft to coordinate offensive air operations. BT-11 serves as one of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s satellite ranges. Utilized for inert ordnance delivery practice, units throughout the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and other federal and state agencies make use of BT-11.

Read More

Tony Ferrence, deputy director of Facilities Directorate, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, presents ideas to installation stakeholders to develop the Installation Master Plan during the Visioning Workshop in the Cherry Point Inn at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, July 14, 2022. The workshop was the second step in the process to establish a new installation master plan that will chart the course for development of the air station community for the next two decades. The previous plan was accomplished in 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Walker) - Tony Ferrence, deputy director of Facilities Directorate, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, presents ideas to installation stakeholders to develop the Installation Master Plan during the Visioning Workshop in the Cherry Point Inn at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, July 14, 2022. The workshop was the second step in the process to establish a new installation master plan that will chart the course for development of the air station community for the next two decades. The previous plan was accomplished in 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Walker)

Setting vision for MCAS Cherry Point

What will Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point become during the next two decades? A fitting answer to such a question is what air station visionaries tooled during the Installation Master Plan: Visioning Workshop at the Cherry Point Inn, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, July 13-14, 2022. Navy Facilities Command and joint venture installation planning professionals guided a diverse group of about 50 air station stakeholders — leaders, mission operators, directors, tenant organizations and key personnel — through the collaborative process of establishing the overall development vision for the installation and the basis for courses of action to meet mission requirements and maximize existing resources and capacity.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mikel R. Huber, right, passes the Marine Corps colors to Col. Brendan C. Burks during a change of command ceremony for Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Aug. 5, 2022. The passing of colors is a time-honored tradition, symbolizing the passing of responsibilities and authority of command from one leader to another. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Symira Bostic) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mikel R. Huber, right, passes the Marine Corps colors to Col. Brendan C. Burks during a change of command ceremony for Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Aug. 5, 2022. The passing of colors is a time-honored tradition, symbolizing the passing of responsibilities and authority of command from one leader to another. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Symira Bostic)

Cherry Point Changes Command

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mikel “Words” Huber relinquished command of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point to Col. Brendan “Cletis” Burks during a change of command ceremony, officially presided over by Brig. Gen. Andrew Niebel, Marine Corps Installations East commanding general, Aug. 5, 2022.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mikel Huber, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point commanding officer, disembarks a UC-35D Citation Encore to greet his family at MCAS Cherry Point, Aug. 2, 2022. Col. Huber flew the aircraft one final time as commanding officer, just three days ahead of relinquishing command of the air station on Aug. 5, 2022, where he will retire from active duty after 29 years of service. (U.S Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Aliannah T. Bartok) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mikel Huber, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point commanding officer, disembarks a UC-35D Citation Encore to greet his family at MCAS Cherry Point, Aug. 2, 2022. Col. Huber flew the aircraft one final time as commanding officer, just three days ahead of relinquishing command of the air station on Aug. 5, 2022, where he will retire from active duty after 29 years of service. (U.S Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Aliannah T. Bartok)

MCAS Cherry Point Commanding Officer Final Flight

Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point Commanding Officer Col. Mikel Huber completed his final flight of the UC-35D Citation Encore a few days ahead of relinquishing command of the air station Aug. 2, 2022. Huber will give over the responsibility of command to Col. Brendan Burks during a change of command ceremony Aug. 5.

Read More

James Hunter, Havelock Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee chairman, presents a plaque to U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Anthony Guerrero, an aviation supply specialist assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, at the Service Person of the Quarter at Hancock Lodge, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, July 26, 2022. Guerrero was recognized and celebrated as the Service Person of the Quarter by the Havelock Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee for his contributions both on and off the installation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Walker) - James Hunter, Havelock Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee chairman, presents a plaque to U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Anthony Guerrero, an aviation supply specialist assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, at the Service Person of the Quarter at Hancock Lodge, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, July 26, 2022. Guerrero was recognized and celebrated as the Service Person of the Quarter by the Havelock Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee for his contributions both on and off the installation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Walker)

Havelock MAC honors the Service Person of the Quarter

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Anthony Guerrero, an aviation supply specialist assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, was recognized and celebrated as the Service Person of the Quarter by the Havelock Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee (MAC) at the Hancock Lodge, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, July 26, 2022.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mikel Huber, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point addresses guests at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the MCAS Cherry Point Historical Aircraft Park, North Carolina, July 21, 2022. As the air station prepares to base six F-35 Lightning II squadrons, this park serves to pay tribute and embrace the 80 years of naval aviation history of MCAS Cherry Point. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Symira Bostic) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mikel Huber, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point addresses guests at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the MCAS Cherry Point Historical Aircraft Park, North Carolina, July 21, 2022. As the air station prepares to base six F-35 Lightning II squadrons, this park serves to pay tribute and embrace the 80 years of naval aviation history of MCAS Cherry Point. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Symira Bostic)

MCAS Cherry Point Historical Aircraft Park Grand Opening

Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point Historical Aircraft Park had its ribbon cutting ceremony July 21, 2022, opening the park to military service members, families, and visitors.

Read More

Mark Delong, a fuel distribution system inspector and fuels department supply technician with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, fills out paperwork, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 28, 2022. This was the first time Delong received the Marine Corps Fuels Civilian of the Year award. - Mark Delong, a fuel distribution system inspector and fuels department supply technician with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, fills out paperwork, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 28, 2022. This was the first time Delong received the Marine Corps Fuels Civilian of the Year award.

Fuels Department Receives Awards

Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point Fuels Department received two awards this year from the Naval Petroleum Office for its outstanding performance. The first award, Marine Corps Outstanding Fuels Facility of the Year, was presented to the Fuels Department as a whole, while the second was awarded individually to the fuel's civilian of the year. To receive the Marine Corps Outstanding Fuels Facility of the Year award, the Fuels Department had to outshine every other Marine Corps fuel department.

Read More

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Craig Stoy, air traffic control tower chief, greets Maj. Gen. Rolf Folland, chief of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 28, 2022. Members of the Norwegian Armed Forces met with MCAS Cherry Point and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing leaders and toured the installation to further strengthen relationships between allied forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Noah Braswell) - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Craig Stoy, air traffic control tower chief, greets Maj. Gen. Rolf Folland, chief of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 28, 2022. Members of the Norwegian Armed Forces met with MCAS Cherry Point and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing leaders and toured the installation to further strengthen relationships between allied forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Noah Braswell)

Maj. Gen. Rolf Folland, chief of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, visits MCAS Cherry Point

Members of the Norwegian Armed Forces met with MCAS Cherry Point and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing leaders and toured the installation to further strengthen relationships between allied forces.

Read More

- - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Thomas R. Coffey, left, receives the non-commissioned officer sword from Lt. Col. Tyler E. Burnham, the Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS) commanding officer, signifying his appointment as the new H&HS sergeant major during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 24, 2022. The ceremony was held to transition the position of H&HS sergeant major from Sgt. Maj. James I. Petty to Sgt. Maj. Coffey. This event also marked the retirement of Sgt. Maj. Petty after 22 years of honorable service. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Bertram)

H&HS Relief and Appointment Ceremony

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. James I. Petty relinquished his post as the sergeant major of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron to Sgt. Maj. Thomas R. Coffey during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 24, 2022. Prior to his new position, Sgt. Maj. Coffey served as the Inspector-Instructor Sergeant Major of 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines. This event also served as Sgt. Maj. Petty’s retirement after 22 years of honorable service.

Read More

- - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. David Donnell, right, passes the Marine Corps colors to Lt. Col. Robin Fonseca, left, during a change of command ceremony for Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Cherry Point, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 24, 2022. The passing of colors is a time-honored tradition, symbolizing the passing of responsibilities and authority of command from one leader to another. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Lauralle Walker)

CNATTU Cherry Point Change of Command

The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Cherry Point held a change of command ceremony, bidding fair winds and following seas to Lt. Col. David Donnell, MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, June 24, 2022. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that symbolizes the passing of responsibilities and authority of command from one leader, Lt. Col. David Donnell to another, Lt. Col. Robin Fonseca. CNATTU Cherry Point is an essential school that instructs on the basis of maintaining mission readiness of aircraft and Marine Aircraft Wings. The technical school provides aviation maintenance specialized training to operate and maintain weapons systems and sub-system that support AV-8B Harriers, C/KC-130J Hercules, cryogenics, maintenance avionics, and maintenance aviation ordnances. CNATTU Cherry Point trains approximately 1,400 Marine, Navy, Italian Foreign National, and civilian students each year in 76 courses of instruction.

Read More