45056 we wide ames percheron farm program after with officers through local skies, from the deep, guttural growl of amphibious biplanes and single-wing attack aircraft during World War II, to the piercing whine of today's sleek and sophisticated jets. Those sounds are music to the ears of the Marines who fight on the for there is nothing Marines like better than to have artillery behind them, intelligence front of them and aircraft overhead. Located only 20 from some of the Atlan- tic's most beautiful beaches, is about 90 west-southwest of Cape Hatteras, at the foot of the great Outer Banks. It is perhaps appro- priate that the home of such a powerful aviation arsenal is just down the coast from Hawk, where winged aviation got its start. Duty at is challenging. Whether you're headed for the 2d Aircraft Wing for duty with the Fleet Force, or support ser- vice with the air station or one of its tenant activities, the tasks are varied and rewarding. And they're all directed toward the same end providing country and Corps with a combat-ready aerial striking force. This guide is designed to give you a comprehen- sive snapshot of from information about the commands that work here, to housing and shopping information, to off-duty activities that are USMC Photo available on and off base. 4 mcas point 2013 http: USMC Photo history mcas point history complex, with nearly 16 additional acres With a legacy that began with 2d MAW's com- It is said that the name comes associated support locations. has missioning July 1941, commitment and cama- from a post office established the area for the one of the most active all-service bombing ranges raderie have always been evident, especially Blades Lumber people some years ago. The post on the East Coast. times of crisis. office was closed 1935. The original was is home to Transport The 2d MAW was originally headquartered Squadron 1. The squadron's aircraft provide mili- on the south side of the Neuse River east of San It consisted of six squadrons two tary transportation, as well as search and rescue. cock Creek, and the word came from San and four Hawaii. The SAR aircraft also serve the local community trees that at one time grew on the point. Although the Hawaii-based squadrons sus- with their medical evacuation and search and Congress authorized Corps Air Station tained extensive damage during the Japanese rescue capabilities. on July 9, with initial attack on Harbor on Dec. 7, 2d MAW Today, this once-austere patch of land rural retained its fighting spirit and subsequently con- appropriation of $14,000 for construction eastern North is home to nearly 15 tributed to 83 South Pacific combat operations. and clearing of 8-acre tract of swamps, Marines, sailors and civilians, with annual eco- Marines and aircraft from 2d MAW participated farms and timberland. nomic impact on the surrounding region of more battles or campaigns at Wake Island, Actual clearing of the site began on Aug. 6, than $2 billion. Personnel and organizations here Okinawa, Midway, Saipan, Guadalcanal, Tinian with extensive drainage and malaria control work. donate time and money through the Combined and Guam. Construction began November, just 17 days Federal Campaign, Navy- Corps Relief, 1946d MAW relocated to its present before the attack on Harbor. community donations collected through the home at MCAS During the Vietnam 's first commanding officer, Lt. Col. Memorial Chapel's religious offering fund, and War, 2d MAW supplied combat-ready units and Thomas J. Cushman, landed the first plane, a J2F through Adopt-A-School program that pro- personnel to operations the Asian Theater. Grumman amphibious biplane, at the air station vides direct support to 15 local schools. It remains the 1980s, 2d MAW units were active on 18. The air station was commis- the home of one of the most powerful combat avi- participants exercises and operations around sioned on 20, as Cunningham Field, ation forces the world. the globe, including those Lebanon, Cuba, honor of the Corps first aviator, Lt. Grenada, Panama and the Dominican Republic. A. Cunningham. 1942, one year after 2d aircraFt winG history The decade of the '90s began with Operations land clearing began, the first Marines arrived. The Marines and Sailors of 2d Aircraft Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The fall of the is one of the world's largest Wing call the Eastern Carolinas home, Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union Corps air stations and one of the best all- but their powerful presence can be felt almost followed brief succession. The millennium weather jet bases the world. The size of the anywhere on the globe. From to closed with 2d MAW squadrons prosecuting and air station has increased from the original 8 hemisphere to hemisphere, forward deployments supporting NATO air strikes Kosovo and Serbia acres to more than 13 acres at the primary means the to always shine on the 2d MAW. during Operation Allied Force, and flying support http: mcas point 2013 history the Middle East with the deployment of thousands of Marines and Sailors and hundreds of tactical combat aircraft. A milestone was reached 2007 when 2d MAW sent the first operational MV-22 Osprey