Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Location: Beaufort, South Carolina
Installation Type: Marine Corps Air Station
Status: Active

Overview

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort is located adjacent to Beaufort, South Carolina, in the Sea Islands of the South Carolina Lowcountry. MCAS Beaufort is the Marine Corps’ primary East Coast jet training base, home to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501), which provides F-35B pilot training for the Marine Corps. The installation is closely associated with the adjacent Naval Air Station Beaufort (now administratively joined) and the broader Beaufort military community. Beaufort is one of the most historically charming small cities in the American Southeast, with antebellum architecture, Spanish moss, tidal creeks, and an extraordinary quality of life.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Conduct F-35B Lightning II pilot training for the Marine Corps through VMFAT-501 (“Warlords”); support Marine aviation operations from the East Coast.
• Major Units: Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31) headquarters; Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501, F-35B training); Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 (VMFA-312, F/A-18 transitioning to F-35); Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 (VMFA(AW)-533, F/A-18D)
• Tenant Units: Various Marine Corps aviation support units; Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island coordination (nearby, approximately 10 miles)

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Beaufort, SC (population approximately 14,000) immediately adjacent; Hilton Head Island, SC – approximately 30 miles south; Savannah, GA – approximately 45 miles south; Charleston, SC – approximately 65 miles north
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) – approximately 50 miles south; Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) – approximately 250 miles north
• Gate Access: Main gate on Laurel Bay Road; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 4,000
• Family Members: Approximately 6,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,500
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 11,500

Key Facilities

• Medical: Naval Hospital Beaufort – full-service military hospital serving the entire Beaufort military community (MCAS, MCRD Parris Island, NWS Charleston elements); primary care, dental, behavioral health, emergency services, obstetrics, pediatrics
• Commissary: Yes – commissary on base
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) and facilities
• Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; pools; golf course (Legends Golf Club at Laurel Bay, an excellent course); bowling; auto skills; water sports (kayaking, fishing in the tidal creeks and sounds); Beaufort’s extraordinary natural environment
• Schools: Beaufort County School District serves military families; no DoDEA schools; Beaufort County schools have some excellent options (Bluffton, Hilton Head, Lady’s Island areas); Beaufort area schools are generally regarded as adequate; some families choose private schools or the Port Royal area schools
• Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists common; register early
• Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office; appointment-based

Housing

• On-Post Housing: Marine Corps Housing at Laurel Bay (adjacent to base); family housing neighborhoods in the Laurel Bay community; condition generally good; Laurel Bay is a distinct residential community with its own amenities
• Average Wait Time: 30-60 days typical; Beaufort area off-post housing is affordable and available
• Off-Post Housing: Beaufort city, Port Royal, Lady’s Island, St. Helena Island, Bluffton, and Hilton Head are popular communities; Bluffton has grown significantly and is popular for school quality; average rent approximately $1,300-$2,000/month for 3-bedroom home; South Carolina Lowcountry is moderately priced; no state income tax on military pay in South Carolina
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; MAG-31 and squadron sponsorship programs; F-35B training community is close-knit
• In-Processing: MCAS Beaufort in-processing; typically 2-3 days; aviation-specific in-processing for pilots and aircrew
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Family Services Center; enrollment required; Naval Hospital Beaufort provides most care; Savannah (50 miles) and Charleston (65 miles) provide better specialist access

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Humid subtropical; hot humid summers (average high 92F/33C in July); mild winters (average low 39F/4C in January); hurricane risk from Atlantic and Gulf storms; spring and fall are outstanding; Spanish moss and tidal creeks create one of the most beautiful natural environments in the South
• Cost of Living: Low to moderate; Beaufort County is affordable relative to the quality of life; Hilton Head raises costs in the southern part of the county; no state income tax on military pay in South Carolina
• Nearby Attractions: Beaufort historic district (antebellum homes, Bay Street waterfront, carriage tours); Port Royal; Hunting Island State Park (lighthouse, beaches, palmetto forests, 15 miles); MCRD Parris Island (recruit graduation ceremonies, Museum of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, 10 miles); Hilton Head Island resort amenities and beaches (30 miles); Savannah historic district (45 miles); Charleston (65 miles) – one of America’s most beautiful and historic cities; Sea Islands Gullah culture; lowcountry seafood (shrimp, oysters, blue crabs)
• Spouse Employment: Beaufort offers employment in healthcare (Naval Hospital, Beaufort Memorial Hospital), education (USCB), retail, and tourism; Hilton Head (30 miles) offers hospitality industry employment; remote work increasingly common; Savannah and Charleston metro areas provide broader employment within commuting range; Family Services Center assists

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://www.mcasbeaufort.marines.mil
• Main Installation Phone: (843) 228-6500
• MWR Website: https://mcasbeaufort.usmc-mccs.org (verify current URL)
• ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Marine Corps Family Services Center, MCAS Beaufort; (843) 228-6455; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.mcasbeaufort.marines.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/marine-corps-air-station-beaufort; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MarineCorpsAirStationBeaufort