With lighthouses dotting the shoreline, boats plying the waterways, and marshes and inlets carving rivulets into the landscape, the view on approach to MRH is unparalleled. And the residents of this coastal town can’t wait to share their slice of paradise with you.
Whether you fly, build, restore or simply enjoy airplanes and aviation, you are welcome to attend our events and join our Chapter.
We are a group of aviation enthusiasts, aircraft builders, and pilots who get together with like minded people to share ideas, exchange information, encourage safety, serve the local aviation community and have a lot of fun doing so. Please come to our next meeting or event as our guest.
Michael J. Smith Field History
In 1941, Carteret County acquired the land for the Beaufort-Morehead City Airport and on March 15 of that year, the Beaufort-Morehead City Airport Authority was created. The following year the Civil Air Patrol formed the Coastal Patrol Base 21.
In October 1943, the Federal Government leased the airport for national defense purposes. The Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of War determined that "the development and/or expansion of an airport, at or near the City of Beaufort, North Carolina, is necessary for National Defense." After the war, the lease was terminated and the airport was returned to the county in 1948.
The airport is named in memory of astronaut Michael J. Smith, a native of Beaufort who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986. It was formerly known as Beaufort-Morehead City Airport. The airport is now known as the Michael J. Smith Field Airport, Carteret County-Beaufort Airport Authority (KMRH).