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Marine Corps Air Station New River Guide

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Joe Wallace

Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, is 5 minutes from Jacksonville in Onslow County. Operating on some 2600 acres, according to the official site, this base supports helicopter and tilt-rotor operations, and provides aviation support and force protection. There are more than 6 thousand troops assigned to the installation.

You can learn more about MCAS New River, the surrounding area, housing, schools, and education opportunities below.

Marine Corps Air Station New River History

A relatively young base compared to some Army and Navy installations, Marine Corps Air Station New River was originally designated Peterfield Point when it opened in 1944.

The installation was placed under the command of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and received its first squadron, VMSB-331, from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.

The base was redesignated as an Air Station in 1968. This base experienced a major reorganization effort in the early 1970s when Marine Helicopter Training Group-40 was deactivated. Marine Aircraft Group 29, consisting of more than 2000 Marines and 7 squadrons, was activated to replace it.

In 1972, the airfield was renamed McCutcheon Field to honor Brigadier General Keith B. McCutcheon, considered one of the founding fathers of Marine Corps helicopter aviation. In the present day, the field still bears his name. The base supports the Marine Corps Aviation Combat Element and other Department of Defense missions.

Surrounding Area

The Jacksonville area is a military-friendly community with other military bases within driving distance. Some choose not to live in the immediate area, selecting homes off-post in places like:

  • Hampstead
  • Holly Ridge
  • Sneads Ferry
  • Surf City

MCAS New River is near many destination beaches on the Atlantic coast, and you’ll find plenty of things to explore in the Jacksonville area, including at Hammocks Beach State Park and Bear Island.

If you want to travel to other bases in the state, there are plenty to choose from:

Mission and Units

MCAS New River supports combat readiness of the Marine Corps Aviation Combat Element and Department of Defense units. Important missions and units here have included:

  • 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
  • MAG 29
  • MAG 26
  • CNATT
  • VMX-22
  • MACS-2 Detachment B
  • 362nd Training Squadron
  • USAF-58 Operations Group

In-Processing and Check-In

Those traveling to MCAS New River on PCS orders are directed to report to the Installation Personnel Administration Center during normal duty hours. Check-in with the Command Duty Officer if you arrive after duty hours.

DoD literature advises there is no central billeting office at MCAS New River. New arrivals must call their gaining unit or discuss check-in with their sponsor.

If you are relocating to the base as part of duty at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, check in to Building AS-255, S-1, 910-449-6724, and call the duty officer at 910-449-6725 or 910-376-1034 if checking after duty hours.

All new arrivals should expect to hand-carry documents, including medical records, PCS or TDY orders, travel receipts, etc.

MCAS New River Commissary

The MCAS New River Commissary is located at:

4055 Curtis Road
PSC Box 21006
Jacksonville, NC 28545
910.449.6395

Child Care

Child Care at MCAS New River is provided by the Child Development Center, which offers care for children featuring fees based on household income. There are waiting lists for care due to high demand for care that includes the following options:

  • Full Day Care
  • Part Day-Preschool
  • Part Day-Toddler
  • Part Day-School Age
  • Hourly Care
  • Special Needs Care

Depending on a variety of factors, your waiting list wait times may be as long as four months. The CDC is located at:

1000 Curtis Road
Building AS-1000, Child Development Center
910-450-0553

Housing

Housing at MCAS New River may be a bit more complicated than at other bases as there are not one, but two public/private housing agreements between the Air Station and private housing agencies.

According to the DoD:

“Privatized military housing is available for active-duty service members and their families stationed at MCB CAMLEJ and MCASNR.” More than 5 thousand units are available, but waiting lists may apply due to demand. It’s best to contact the MCAS New River Family Housing office for more information as soon as you have orders to the base.

The Family Housing office is located at:

TT-43 Inchon Street
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
910-450-1628

Contact the housing office before entering into any agreement for housing. If you seek housing off-post, you may qualify for the Rental Partnership Program, created to offset the cost of moving off-post.

Related: Basic Allowance for Housing Calculator

PCS and TDY Lodging

There is no temporary lodging available for newly arriving families at MCAS New River. According to the DoD official site, “Families must go to the Inn of the Corps on Camp Lejeune, which is located on the other side of Jacksonville.”

You can find the Inn of the Corps at:

896 Holcomb Boulevard
Building 896
Camp Lejeune
Jacksonville, NC 28547
910-451-3041

If you are PCSing or coming TDY to the MCAS New River unaccompanied, ask your gaining unit or training unit what single-servicemember accommodations are required.

Vehicle Registration and Driver’s License

New arrivals must register their vehicles on post at the Vehicle Registration Office in Building AS-187 near the main gate. To register a vehicle, you must bring:

  • Military D card
  • Drivers License
  • Original Vehicle Registration
  • Proof of insurance
  • Driver’s Improvement Course card, where applicable
  • Reservists must present a command-authorized letter.

You’ll find the DEERS/Pass and ID office on base at:

DEERS/Pass & ID Office
187 Curtis Road
Bldg AS-187
MCAS New River
Jacksonville, NC 28545

Schools

There are no schools on the base, but those who are assigned to MCAS New River may send their children to DoD schools at Camp Lejeune.

There are several schools offering classes for elementary through high school. These schools operate as part of the DoDEA North Carolina-Camp Lejeune District. They include but are not limited to:

  • Bitz Intermediate
  • Delalio Elementary
  • Heroes Elementary
  • Johnson Primary
  • Tarawa Terrace Elementary
  • Lejeune High

For those living off base, Onslow County public schools are available. Call the MCAS New River School Liaison at 910-449-9915 to learn about transfer requirements, immunizations, and other new student registration issues.

Colleges and Universities

The Joint Education Office at MCAS New River can help with higher education needs. Find them at:

212 Bancroft Street
Bldg AS-212, 2nd deck
910-449-6623

Multiple colleges offer on-base classes and other options. They include:

  • Campbell University
  • Coastal Carolina Community College,
  • Embrey-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Southern Illinois University
  • University of North Carolina-Wilmington
  • Webster University

Contact the Joint Education Center to learn more about these programs or how to sign up for military Tuition Assistance programs offered by each branch of military service. You can also get advice on professional military education programs and other options such as CLEP or DANTES testing.

Related: Ultimate GI Bill Guide

MCAS New River Contacts

SC Box 21002
Jacksonville, NC 28545
910-449-5655

Important MCAS New River Contact Numbers

All numbers are area code (910):

  • Emergency 911
  • Commanding Officer  449-6307
  • Executive Officer  449-6307
  • Sergeant Major  449-6307
  • Commanding Officer Secretary  449-6307
  • Command Inspector  449-6307
  • Equal Opportunity Advisor  451-5372
  • Fraud, Waste & Abuse Hotline  449-6029
  • Victim Witness Liaison Officer  449-7159
  • Comptroller  449-5447/5446
  • DoD Schools 451-2461
  • Family Child Care 449-6712

Military Bases in North Carolina

North Carolina has an impressive veteran population. According to the North Carolina Governor’s Office, the state has the fifth-largest military presence in the United States. There are more than 100,000 active duty troops and family members here, and approximately 725,000 military veterans.

If you are traveling to North Carolina on PCS orders, look up the BAH in your new duty location using our BAH Calculator. You can also look up veteran benefits offered in North Carolina. 

Army Bases in North Carolina

Marine Corps Bases in North Carolina

Air Force Bases in North Carolina

Coast Guard Bases in North Carolina

Get more info on VA benefits for veterans, retirees, separating service members, spouses, dependents, and disabled veterans. Learn more about the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon program, monthly housing allowances, VA loans, and TRICARE.

Did you know? The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency offers up to $15 thousand in down payment assistance for first-time home buyers and qualifying veterans thanks to a program called NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment. The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency is a public agency that helps provide North Carolina residents with safe and affordable housing.

Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities in North Carolina

Lee County VA Clinic

3112 Tramway Road
Sanford, NC 27330-7142
919-775-6160
Mental health: 919-775-6166

Womack VA Clinic

2817 Reilly Road
Fort Bragg, NC 28310-0001
910-488-2120

Durham VA Medical Center

508 Fulton Street
Durham, NC 27705-3875
919-286-0411
Mental health: 919-286-0411 x5418

Croasdaile VA Clinic

3114 Croasdaile Drive
Durham, NC 27705-2508
919-286-0411

Cumberland County VA Clinic

7300 South Raeford Road
Fayetteville, NC 28304-6162
910-488-2120
Mental health: 910-488-2120 x7909

Hillandale Road VA Clinic

1824 Hillandale Road
Durham, NC 27705-2650
919-383-6107

Durham County VA Clinic

1830 Hillandale Road
Durham, NC 27705-2670
919-383-6107

Raeford Road VA Clinic

4101 Raeford Road
Suite 100-B
Fayetteville, NC 28304-3359
910-908-2222

Fayetteville VA Medical Center

2300 Ramsey Street
Fayetteville, NC 28301-3856
Main number: 910-488-2120
Mental health: 910-488-2120 x7909

Robeson Street VA Clinic

2301 Robeson Street
Fayetteville, NC 28305-5640
910-483-9727

Veteran Readiness and Employment Office at Fort Liberty

2843 Normandy Street
Suite 100
Fort Liberty, NC 28310
910-396-8611

Pre-Discharge Site at Fort Liberty

2843 Normandy Street
Soldier Support Center/VA Outbase office
Fort Liberty, NC 28307
800-827-1163

Veteran Readiness and Employment at Fayetteville Technical Community College

2817 Fort Bragg Road
General Classroom Building, Room 202-A
Fayetteville, NC 28303
910-678-8580

Veteran Readiness and Employment Office at Raleigh, North Carolina

310 New Bern Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27601
Main number: 336-714-6099

Winston-Salem VA Regional Benefit Office

251 N. Main Street
Floors 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and Basement 1 & 2 – Hiram Ward Federal Building
Winston-Salem, NC 27155
800-827-1000

Veteran Readiness and Employment Office at W.G. (Bill) Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center

1601 Brenner Avenue
Salisbury, NC 28144
336-714-6099

Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery

400 Murchison Rd.
Spring Lake, NC 28390
919-664-1175

Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery Office

Albemarle Building, Suite 1065
325 N. Salisbury St.
Raleigh, NC 27699
844-624-8387

Raleigh Vet Center

8851 Ellstree Lane
Suite 122
Raleigh, NC 27617
919-361-6419

Greensboro Vet Center

3515 West Market Street
Suite 120
Greensboro, NC 27403
336-323-2660

Fayetteville, NC Vet Center

2301 Robeson Street
Suite 103
Fayetteville, NC 28305
910-488-6252

Other Military Bases in the Continental United States

Look up the BAH in your new duty location by searching for your zip code’s housing allowance using our BAH Calculator. You can also review our complete list of Military Bases by State.

 

About the author

Joe Wallace

Editor-in-Chief | + posts

Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.

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