Tucked in the gentle rolling hills of eastern North Carolina, amidst pine trees and beautiful white, sandy beaches, Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., has had a tremendous impact on the surrounding community and has played a major role in Marine Corps aviation since its beginning during 1944.

Although 1944 is celebrated as New River's birthday, the Air Station’s roots go further back. During 1941, the federal government purchased land where MCAS New River and the adjacent base are today for almost $65,000. The next year, Capt. Barnett Robinson of Marine Glider Squadron 71 surveyed the area around New River. His investigation concluded the site would be suitable for land and seaplane operations. The first squadron, Marine Bombing Squadron 612, arrived during 1943. The light bombers, known as the PBJ, resembled the Army's B-25 Mitchell bomber. VMB-612 remained here until being deployed to the Pacific during World War II. Shortly after their departure, the Air Station was commissioned as Peterfield Point, named after a farmer whose tobacco field made up most of the land. The separation from Camp Lejeune during 1944 marked the Air Station’s birth.

After the war, Peterfield Point was reverted to caretaker status until being reopened during 1951 as Marine Corps Air Facility Peterfield Point and Camp Lejeune. One year later, it was renamed Marine Corps Air Facility New River, after the river that flows along its eastern border.

The first helicopters arrived during 1954 when Marine Aircraft Group 26 moved here from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. The move began New River's permanent role in the Marine Air-Ground concept. During 1968, the Air Station changed its name once again to Marine Corps Air Station (Helicopter) New River. The changed marked the Air Station’s development from a small training base into a major tactical Marine airfield. The "Helicopter" designation was dropped during 1985.

Today 5,900 Marines and Sailors operate out of the two groups and support squadrons aboard the 2,772-acre Air Station.

Both MAG-26 and MAG-29, commissioned in 1972, support one heavy helicopter squadron, one light/attack helicopter squadron, one logistics squadron, and are continuing to transition their respective CH-46E squadrons into MV-22 squadrons. MAG-26 is also home to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204, the Marine Corps' premier V-22 training squadron and MAG-29 hosts Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 302.

Also during 1972, the airfield aboard New River was renamed McCutcheon Field after Gen. Keith B. McCutcheon, one of the fathers of Marine Corps aviation.

Both Marine Aircraft Groups work closely together and provide support for the ground forces of Marine Forces Atlantic. Throughout the years, aircraft from the two Groups have operated in "hot spots" all over the world, including Cuba, Lebanon, Haiti, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to name a few.