For your information.
Marine Corps Air Facility and Marine Corps Base Hawaii will host a
Re-designation Ceremony today at 2 p.m. Marine Corps Air Facility will be
renamed to Marine Corps Air Station.
V.R.
Sgt. Macario Mora
Media Chief
MCB Hawaii
808-257-8838

MCAF Re-designation and Commemorative Naming Ceremony

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Oahu - Marine Corps Air Facility Kaneohe Bay and
Marine Corps Base Hawaii will co-host a renaming ceremony today, May 22, at
2 p.m. in Hangar 105. The Commandant of the Marine Corps has approved the
requests to re-designate Marine Corps Air Facility Kaneohe Bay as a Marine
Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay and to commemoratively name the air field in
honor of retired Marine Maj. Gen. Marion E. Carl, deceased.
The renaming comes as the air facility is expected to expand to
accommodate additional squadrons in the future as the Marine Corps expands
its aviations assets in order to meet operational requirements.
“Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay has become a strategic training and
logistics hub that supports the deployment of forces to OIF and OEF, and
also supports DoD, Allied and Federal inter-agency requirements,” said Lt.
Col. Michael Antonio, commanding officer, Marine Corps Air Facility Kaneohe
Bay.
Marine Corps Air Facility Kaneohe Bay has conducted more than 70,000
flights hours annually since 1999, which is already comparable to other
Marine Corps air stations. Between 2007 and 2008, MCAF transported roughly
six million pounds of cargo, transported 9,000 passengers and provided
services for 1,075 transient aircraft. There are roughly 4,000 Marines and
Sailors who work at MCAF.
“The redesignation of our Marine Corps Air Facility as a Marine
Corps Air Station is a well-deserved and overdue change that accurately
reflects the significant amount of operations and air traffic the airfield
supports on a daily basis.  It’s also testament to the incredible work the
MCAS and MCB Hawaii Marines, Sailors, and civilian Marines perform on a
routine basis in
support of our warfighters and their families,” said Lt. Col. Glen Butler,
deputy commander, Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
The facility will become the ninth MCAS in the Marine Corps. The air
facility was initially designated a Naval Air Station from 1939 to 1949. It
was decommissioned until 1952 when it was re-commissioned as a MCAS. It was
re-designated as a MCAF in 1994.
Carl, the first air “ace” to down 10 enemy aircraft during the battle for
Guadalcanal in 1942, was twice awarded the Navy Cross. As a section leader
in a Marine fighter squadron during the Battle of Midway, he earned the Navy
Cross while leading an attack against a vastly superior number of Japanese
bomber and fighter planes. Later, in the fight for Guadalcanal, he earned a
second Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism in aerial combat as a pilot in
VMF-223 on Aug. 26, 1942.
“Similarly, it is fitting that on the 97th birthday of Marine Corps
Aviation, we are also able to honor a true Marine hero and great American by
commemoratively naming the airfield as Major General Marion E. Carl Field,”
Butler said. “Maj. Gen. Carl’s wartime heroism, test pilot records, and
lifetime achievements–not only as a Marine, but as a father, husband, and
citizen–stand as inspiration for all of us today.” 
“I hope that honoring Maj .Gen. Carl in this fashion also serves as a worthy
reminder of the sacrifices our service members continue to make in defense
of freedom and liberty across the globe, particularly this Memorial Day
weekend as we remember those who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Butler
said.
He finished World War II with 18 enemy kills. Carl’s exploits in the Pacific
will be remembered and honored at the ceremony.
News media who wish to cover the arrival should notify the Media
Office prior to arrival, and be at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii Main Gate
(H-3 Gate) no later than 1:30 p.m. today, May 22, for escort to the arrival
area. 
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