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.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Margolis, the new commanding officer for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31, addresses Marines of MALS-31 during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, May 22. - Lieutenant Colonel Michael Margolis, the new commanding officer for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31, addresses Marines of MALS-31 during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, May 22.

A Marine with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 hugs his children upon returning from deplooyment, Jan. 10. While deployed, the Marines provided intermediate logistical support to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (forward). - A Marine with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 hugs his children upon returning from deplooyment, Jan. 10. While deployed, the Marines provided intermediate logistical support to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (forward).

Lt. Col. Willie Stansell, the commanding officder of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 and Maj. Meghan Kennerly, MALS-31 executive officer, help sort through donated clothes at HELP of Beaufort, Dec. 27, 2013. More than 40 Marines with MALS-31 gave their time and assistance to four non-profit groups in Beaufort. Marines volunteered at Red Door Thrift Store, HELP of Beaufort, CAPA’s Closet and the Beaufort County Animal Shelter. - Lt. Col. Willie Stansell, the commanding officder of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 and Maj. Meghan Kennerly, MALS-31 executive officer, help sort through donated clothes at HELP of Beaufort, Dec. 27, 2013. More than 40 Marines with MALS-31 gave their time and assistance to four non-profit groups in Beaufort. Marines volunteered at Red Door Thrift Store, HELP of Beaufort, CAPA’s Closet and the Beaufort County Animal Shelter.

Marines with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 depart Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort for the Western Pacific in support of the Unit Deployment Program, Jan. 9. - Marines with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 depart Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort for the Western Pacific in support of the Unit Deployment Program, Jan. 9.

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115, also known as the Silver Eagles, will reflect on their storied tradition and history as they celebrate 70 years of excellence on Nov. 8, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.Established on July 1, 1943 in Santa Barbara, Calif., the Silver Eagles have distinguished themselves time and time again in the history books. They started off with a fleet of F4U-1 Corsairs and were the first Marine Corps squadron to receive a full complement of the F9F-2 Panther Jet Fighters in 1949. The squadron was also the first Marine Corps squadron to serve aboard a carrier, the USS Roosevelt, in 1950. - Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115, also known as the Silver Eagles, will reflect on their storied tradition and history as they celebrate 70 years of excellence on Nov. 8, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Established on July 1, 1943 in Santa Barbara, Calif., the Silver Eagles have distinguished themselves time and time again in the history books. They started off with a fleet of F4U-1 Corsairs and were the first Marine Corps squadron to receive a full complement of the F9F-2 Panther Jet Fighters in 1949. The squadron was also the first Marine Corps squadron to serve aboard a carrier, the USS Roosevelt, in 1950.

The F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is showcased during a debut to the Beaufort, S.C. community aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Aug. 20. The F-35 will replace the Marine Corps' aging legacy tactical fleet providing the dominant, multi-role, fifth-generation capabilities needed across the full spectrum of combat operations to deter potential adversaries and enable future naval aviation power projection. MCAS Beaufort is expected to receive the aircraft in 2014 along with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, the Marine Corps' first F-35B training squadron, which falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 aboard MCAS Beaufort. - The F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is showcased during a debut to the Beaufort, S.C. community aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Aug. 20. The F-35 will replace the Marine Corps' aging legacy tactical fleet providing the dominant, multi-role, fifth-generation capabilities needed across the full spectrum of combat operations to deter potential adversaries and enable future naval aviation power projection. MCAS Beaufort is expected to receive the aircraft in 2014 along with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, the Marine Corps' first F-35B training squadron, which falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 aboard MCAS Beaufort.

MCAS Beaufort gave Charlie Bowers, a Bluffton High School student with a degenerative eye disease, a tour of the Air Station. The tour, sponsored by MAG-31 and VMFA-115, let Charlie experience a taste of what it's like to be a fighter pilot before his disease worsens. - MCAS Beaufort gave Charlie Bowers, a Bluffton High School student with a degenerative eye disease, a tour of the Air Station. The tour, sponsored by MAG-31 and VMFA-115, let Charlie experience a taste of what it's like to be a fighter pilot before his disease worsens.

Silver Eagle 206, a Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 F/A-18,completed its 9,000th hour of flight in the skies above the Lowcountry before landing back aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Nov. 13. The maintainers ensure the aircraft continue flying are responsible for the squadron maintaining the highest state readiness to deploy forward. - Silver Eagle 206, a Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 F/A-18,completed its 9,000th hour of flight in the skies above the Lowcountry before landing back aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Nov. 13. The maintainers ensure the aircraft continue flying are responsible for the squadron maintaining the highest state readiness to deploy forward.