Cherry Point Named 2024 Marine Corps Air Station of the Year

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. (Jan. 23, 2024) — Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point is the Marine Corps Air Station of the Year, as declared in the announcement of the 2024 Marine Corps Installations Excellence Award winners, Jan. 19, 2024.  

The awards recognize the outstanding achievements of the Corps' top performing Marines, Civilian Marines, and units in the Installations and Logistics community. This year also serves as the inaugural year for the "Marine Corps Air Station of the Year," category.   

MCAS Cherry Point demonstrated excellence in installation management with emphasis on administrative discipline, high-profile asset and project management, innovative business practices, operations, community engagement and support, and meritorious personnel service.  

“This award is a testament to the teamwork and relationships between MCAS Cherry Point, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Naval Health Clinic, and the community,” said Col. Brendan Burks, MCAS Cherry Point commanding officer. “I’m proud to be a part of this team and the hard work and dedication by all our Marine, Sailors, civilians, family members, and community partners for the betterment of our nation and their commitment to America’s Air Station and our country.” 

MCAS Cherry Point stands out with its management of a $1.1 billion F-35 transition program, having welcomed the first operational squadron in May 2023. It also boasts a reduced carbon footprint, accepting and implementing a $47 million Utility Energy Service Contract for the air station that enhanced energy resilience, improved energy system reliability, reduced energy consumption and hardened control systems cybersecurity. 

Commissioned in 1942, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point is the world’s largest Marine Corps air station. It, including its outlying fields and ranges, occupies more than 29,000 acres of land in Eastern North Carolina. MCAS Cherry Point provides air traffic control 24 hours a day, year-round in the support of more than 150,000 annual flight operations as a primary aerial port of embarkation and debarkation for Marines deploying on the East Coast. The installation is a true staple of warfighting capability and aviation readiness. Through its operation and development, the installation contributes approximately $2.19 billion to the state and local economy.