cherry point

• Establishment: Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point was commissioned on May 20, 1942, during World War II as an aviation training facility for the United States Marine Corps. • Namesake: The name "Cherry Point" comes from the local Cherry Point community in North Carolina, not from cherry trees as sometimes believed. • World War II Role: During WWII, Cherry Point trained pilots and aircrews for combat in the Pacific Theater and served as a base for anti-submarine patrols along the Atlantic coast. • Largest Marine Airfield: It is one of the largest Marine Corps air stations in the world, covering over 13,000 acres. • Home to the "Banshees": Marine Attack Squadron 533 (VMA-533), known as the "Banshees," has flown from Cherry Point since World War II. • Hurricane Relief: Cherry Point has played a key role in disaster relief operations, providing support and logistics during hurricanes and other emergencies in the region. • Presidential Flights: The air station has been used for Presidential flights and was a landing site for Marine One, the President’s helicopter, on several occasions. • Fleet Readiness Center East: One of the largest employers in eastern North Carolina, the Fleet Readiness Center East at Cherry Point provides maintenance and repair for military aircraft. • Harrier Operations: Cherry Point has been a significant base for AV-8B Harrier II operations, supporting both training and combat deployments overseas. • Air Show Tradition: The annual Cherry Point Air Show is one of the largest in the Southeast, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and showcasing military aviation history and modern capabilities.