MCAS Cherry Point - NC

One of the busiest air stations in the east, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point is the headquarters of the 2nd Marine Air Wing (2nd MAW), and many of its squadrons.  
 
The 2nd MAW is the air power of the II Marine Expeditionary Force, and activities at Cherry Point keep units ready for support whenever and wherever they are needed.  
 
Cherry Point is also home to Marine Transport Squadron 1 (VMR-1), best known for the search and rescue unit “PEDRO.” The unit’s primary mission is to provide search and rescue support for the 2nd MAW, but it frequently assists the Coast Guard and local authorities with emergencies closer to home. 
 
In addition to housing these critical units, Cherry Point also has an extensive runway system that serves as an alternate emergency-landing site for space shuttle launches from Cape Canaveral.