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The acreage occupied by the Air Station was formerly the site of several prominent Lowcountry plantations, including the Clarendon and Edgerly, Bull and Deveaux plantations. In 1779, during the Revolutionary War, British troops landed at what is now the Laurel Bay Housing area and battled American revolutionary troops at Gray's Hill. The Beaufort area was also a staging area for both Confederate and Union troops during the civil war and elaborate plantation homes still line Bay Street, overlooking the Beaufort River.
By June 15, 1943, the Civil Aeronautics Authority established Naval Air Station Beaufort as an auxiliary air station which supported advanced training of anti-submarine patrol squadrons which ensured the security of shipping along the Eastern seaboard.
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, home of the Marine Corps' Atlantic Coast fixed-wing, fighter-attack aircraft assets, is located in the heart of the South Carolina Lowcountry and is among the United States military's most important and most historically colorful installations. Consisting of some 7,000 acres 70 miles southwest of Charleston, South Carolina on Highway 21, the installation is home to four Marine Corps F/A- 18 squadrons and two F-35B Fleet Replacement Squadrons. Two versions of the F/A-18 Hornet are found aboard MCAS Beaufort, the F/A-18C Hornet and the F/A-18D Hornet. The F-35B squadrons are the only locations in the world where pilots train to fly the F-35B. The squadron also trains the United Kingdom's future F-35B pilots and maintainers.
The Community Relations section of MCAS Beaufort coordinates tours for groups interested in learning more about MCAS Beaufort or Townsend Bombing Range, and special requests for military participation or involvement in community events, such as those listed below. Please send all requests by e-mail to the MCAS Beaufort Communication Strategy and Operations Office at BFRT_COMMSTRAT@usmc.mil. For more information, please call (843) 228-7225.
Please note there are restrictions regarding military support of various events. The U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy have restrictions governing the support of events at sites owned or leased by religious, political and special-interest organizations, or for organizations that may discredit the U.S. Armed Forces. Requests should be for events that are open to the public and hold community-wide interest.
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