Mission
Marine Corps Air Station New River provides aviation support, force protection, infrastructure, and community services to promote the readiness, sustainment and quality of life for II MEF and other military forces, tenant commands, personnel and their families.
History
Marine Corps Air Station New River was commissioned as Peterfield Point in April 1944. New River was redesignated as an air station on September 1, 1968. The station comprises some 2,600 acres. Marine Aircraft Group-26 commissioned June 16, 1952 at Cherry Point, moved to New River Air Facility in July 1954. The group is comprised of about 2,100 Marines assigned to 8 squadrons. A major reorganization occurred on May 1, 1972 when Marine Helicopter Training Group-40 was deactivated and Marine Aircraft Group-(MAG) 29 was born. MAG-29 is comprised of 2,100 Marines assigned to 7 squadrons. Also in 1972, the airfield was renamed after Brigadier General Keith B. McCutcheon, one of the fathers of Marine Corps helicopter aviation. McCutcheon Field is still the designation of the airstrip to this day. For more information, please see our homepage at https://www.newriver.marines.mil.
Population
Jacksonville is located in Onslolw County. Its has a 2023 population of 72,266. Jacksonville is currently declining at a rate of -0.42% annually and its population has decreased by -1.25% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 73,183 in 2020.
Population assigned-served by MCAS New River consists of 6,301 Active Duty; 6,841 Family Members: 2,491 Retirees; 221 Civilians.
Location
Marine Corps Air Station New River is located 4 miles south of downtown Jacksonville on Hwy 17, in Onslow County, North Carolina.
Jacksonville is predominately a military town with multiple Marine Corps installations located in the Jacksonville area. Cost of living is relatively low and housing prices have remained steady recently.
Property taxes are considered low Located near many beautiful beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, MCAS New River is a very desirable location. The base information phone number is 910-451-1113. There is no longer a base operator; an automated recording refers callers to a website for a complete listing of phone numbers: http://www.lejeune.marines.mil. Click on Resources located on the right side of the page for the Phone Directory. You can also reach out to the MCCS IR&R Program Manager aboard the installation at 910-449-7761.
Directions
MCAS New River is located 4 miles south of downtown Jacksonville on Hwy 17.
Driving from the North
From I95 South, take exit 81 to I40 East. Drive approximately 45 miles to exit 373. Turn left at the stop sign onto Highway 24 E, bear right as approaching the third stop light and continue on Highway 24/258 nearly 50 miles to Jacksonville Bypass (intersection of Highway 24/258 and Highway 53). Continue straight to next exit and bear right to Highway 17 South, at the second light exit left to the main gate.
Driving from the South
From I95 approaching Florence, SC take exit 157 to Highway 76/301 East to split, stay on Highway 76. Highways 74 and 76 merge near Chadbourn, NC, continue east to Freeman, NC, turn left onto highway 11 north. Highway 11 merges with Highway 53, continue on Highway 53 to Jacksonville, at Highway 24 turn right. At next exit, bear to the right onto Highway 17 south, at the second light exit left to the main gate.
From Albert Ellis Airport in Richlands (approximately 15 miles from MCAS New River)
Make a right turn from Airport Road and drive on Highway 111 (Catherine Lake Road) until you reach Highway 24. Follow directions above to get from Highway 24 to MCAS New River.
Contact Information
910-451-1113. There is no longer a base operator; an automated recording refers callers to a website for a complete listing of phone numbers:
http://www.lejeune.marines.mil. Scroll to Resources for the phone directory or you can reach out to the installation IR&R Program Manager at 910-449-7761.