Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort’s runway project is now complete, which changes the departure and approach flight patterns, and should mean a lessening of jet noise for residents of the city of Beaufort and surrounding area.
“Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort’s primary runway, 05/23, has been under construction since November 2019, and is now complete,” the air station said in a release. “Aircraft flight patterns will resume back to normal, with runway 05/23 being primary and 14/32 being secondary.”
“The maintenance conducted improved the proficiency, safety and readiness of our pilots and airfield operations. We appreciate the continued support and patience from our Beaufort community”
Three key factors contributed to the increase we’ve experienced ever since.
First, all five F/8-18 squadrons were home on the base and operating normally. This is the legacy fighter jet platform the Marine Corps has operated since the early 1980’s.
Also, there is a general increase in the training of and production of F-35B pilots, who are trained aboard MCAS Beaufort.
But the biggest culprit was the main runway that most people see while passing MCAS Beaufort on Highway 21, runway 5/23; it was closed for repairs. This shifted all jet traffic to the secondary runway, which runs perpendicular to the main runway. That runway, runway 14/32, on departure and approach, flies over the Pigeon Point Neighborhood of the City of Beaufort.
Sound of Freedom
We never get enough of the sound of freedom in our skies. It’s a Beaufort tradition.
Beaufort legend, Pat Conroy, wrote about it in the Great Santini and Beaufort Residents have turned their heads towards the heavens since the commissioning of Naval Air Station Beaufort on June 15th, 1943, as jets from ‘Fightertown’ fill our skies.
The jet culture in Beaufort is alive and well.
Remember, the “noise” you hear over Beaufort is the sound of freedom.
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