Stories

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort welcomed home one of its own, July 11. Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 returned to Fightertown and with it, a new era in Marine Corps aviation.VMFAT-501 was located at MCAS Beaufort until 1997, when it deactivated. The squadron was reactivated in April 2010 and designated as a training squadron. After four years of training with the F-35B Lightning II the squadron moved back to MCAS Beaufort."Between June and September we'll have all the VMFAT-501 aircraft and squadron personnel relocating, and in October we'll start training," said Lieutenant Colonel Luis E. Villalobos, the officer in charge of the Pilot Training Center.The Marine Corps’ F-35B variant replaces and performs the roles of three legacy aircraft. The F/A-18 Hornet, AV-8B Harrier II and EA-6B Prowler will be phased out over a period of time. The future of Marine Corps aviation, the F-35B, has arrived. - Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort welcomed home one of its own, July 11. Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 returned to Fightertown and with it, a new era in Marine Corps aviation.VMFAT-501 was located at MCAS Beaufort until 1997, when it deactivated. The squadron was reactivated in April 2010 and designated as a training squadron. After four years of training with the F-35B Lightning II the squadron moved back to MCAS Beaufort."Between June and September we'll have all the VMFAT-501 aircraft and squadron personnel relocating, and in October we'll start training," said Lieutenant Colonel Luis E. Villalobos, the officer in charge of the Pilot Training Center. The Marine Corps’ F-35B variant replaces and performs the roles of three legacy aircraft. The F/A-18 Hornet, AV-8B Harrier II and EA-6B Prowler will be phased out over a period of time. The future of Marine Corps aviation, the F-35B, has arrived.

Changing health care providers during a permanent change of station is becoming less difficult through programs put into place by Tri-Care. Following the closure of Tri-Care Service Centers on April 1, Tri-Care Health Services released information informing Tri-Care beneficiaries about the several options to find new health care providers when moving to a new duty station or other residence. - Changing health care providers during a permanent change of station is becoming less difficult through programs put into place by Tri-Care. Following the closure of Tri-Care Service Centers on April 1, Tri-Care Health Services released information informing Tri-Care beneficiaries about the several options to find new health care providers when moving to a new duty station or other residence.

Lieutenant Colonel Kevin T. O’Rourke relinquished command of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 to Lt. Col. Alvin Bryant in a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, June 19. - Lieutenant Colonel Kevin T. O’Rourke relinquished command of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 to Lt. Col. Alvin Bryant in a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, June 19.

Marines with Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort trained in a confined space simulator at Pinewood Station 894 in Burton, S.C., June 10. The confined space simulator trains firefighters to function calmly in small spaces. Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Ma­rines specialize in aircraft fires, but can be called to provide mutual aid for any incident covered by the Structural Fire De­partment, that is why they train every day with aircraft or structural fires in mind. - Marines with Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort trained in a confined space simulator at Pinewood Station 894 in Burton, S.C., June 10. The confined space simulator trains firefighters to function calmly in small spaces. Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Ma­rines specialize in aircraft fires, but can be called to provide mutual aid for any incident covered by the Structural Fire De­partment, that is why they train every day with aircraft or structural fires in mind.

Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island’s Auxiliary Security Force began their Oleoresin Capsicum Contamination training at the Provost Marshal's Office aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, June 3. The Provost Marshal’s Office aboard the Air Station provides law enforcement, investigative, and security services to MCAS Beaufort, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Naval Hospital Beaufort, S.C. - Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island’s Auxiliary Security Force began their Oleoresin Capsicum Contamination training at the Provost Marshal's Office aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, June 3. The Provost Marshal’s Office aboard the Air Station provides law enforcement, investigative, and security services to MCAS Beaufort, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Naval Hospital Beaufort, S.C.

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort food service specialists compete in the Mess Hall Cook-Off held at the Consolidated Mess Hall on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, May 20. To compete in the biannual competition, the Marines needed to complete the Culinary Foundations Course and have one of the top four scores in the class. The Cook-off was held to teach the cooks how to think creatively and use their knowledge to create unique recipes. - Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort food service specialists compete in the Mess Hall Cook-Off held at the Consolidated Mess Hall on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, May 20. To compete in the biannual competition, the Marines needed to complete the Culinary Foundations Course and have one of the top four scores in the class. The Cook-off was held to teach the cooks how to think creatively and use their knowledge to create unique recipes.

Sgt. Michael McIntire stands with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general and command sergeant major, Maj. Gen. Robert Hedelund and Sgt. Maj. Christopher Robinson, before receiving an award, May 20. The award, sponsored by the Navy and Marine Association, is given to leaders considered to be ethical, proud, and professional. - Sgt. Michael McIntire stands with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general and command sergeant major, Maj. Gen. Robert Hedelund and Sgt. Maj. Christopher Robinson, before receiving an award, May 20. The award, sponsored by the Navy and Marine Association, is given to leaders considered to be ethical, proud, and professional.

Active duty service members, veterans, and family members from all walks of life participate in the 2014 Beaufort, S.C., Memorial Day parade and Ceremony at the Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C., May 26, 2014. The ceremony was held in remembrance of the many military service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aneshea S. Yee/Released) - Active duty service members, veterans, and family members from all walks of life participate in the 2014 Beaufort, S.C., Memorial Day parade and Ceremony at the Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C., May 26, 2014. The ceremony was held in remembrance of the many military service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aneshea S. Yee/Released)