The Future of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

It looks like the community around MCAS Beaufort is working to protect the base from future cuts. It is even a possibility that the Air Station could grow, absorbing squadrons from NAS Oceana. This is great news for MilCom monitors in the SC/GA/FL area, as it helps ensure future F/A-18 activity to monitor and offers the possibility of even more activity in the future.


http://www.beaufortgazette.com/local_news/story/6276551p-5475899c.html


South Carolina lawmakers are trying to lure the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets from NAS Oceana to MCAS Beaufort. It is looking like the Super Hornets are short lived at NAS Oceana due to the area's inability to meet BRAC standards for keeping the base open. Two of the front runners for relocation of NAS Oceana's aircraft are Cecil Field in Florida and MCAS Beaufort. During the November elections, the voters in Jacksonville overwhelmingly voted down an attempt to reopen Cecil Field as a Naval Air Station.


http://www.beaufortgazette.com/local_news/story/6281374p-5479552c.html


Beaufort County and municipalities surrounding MCAS Beaufort, on the other hand, have just approved a buffer zone around the Air Station that will protect it from the type of encroachment that has endangered NAS Oceana. This buffer zone can be enlarged in the event the more powerful (and therefore noisier) Super Hornets move to MCAS Beaufort. Stay tuned for more information and hope for the best!