~ROADRUNNERS~
Station Operations and Engineering Squadron (SOES), Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina was conceived on 16 July 1941 when the United States Congress approved the purchase of a tract of land in the vicinity of the Neuse River in Craven County, North Carolina. On 18 March 1942, Colonel T.J. Cushman initiated flight operations at Cherry Point when he made the first aircraft landing at Cunningham Field. This was the real beginning of MCAS Cherry Point's flight operations and a very important moment in the development of SOES.
During January 1943, Aircraft Engineering Squadron (AES-46) was commissioned. AES-46, with over 1000 Marines, was the largest aviation squadron in the Marine Corps and performed many of the same airfield support operations SOES does today. Among its assigned missions, AES-46 was responsible for Air Traffice Control, servicing of visiting aircraft, Station Communications, ordance related activities, and care of the base magazine areas. Other support divisions manned by AES-46 Marines included Airfield Operations; Crash, Fire, and Recovery; and Station Photo Lab.
On 1 October 1951, the responsibilities of AES-46 were distributed between Station Operations Squadron (SOS-2) and Station Engineering Squadron (SAES-2). SOS-2 assumed the responsibilities for Station Operations, Communications, Crash Crew, and Photo Lab, while SAES-2 Marines manned the Engineering Section, the Rifle Range, and the Ordnance Section. On February 24, 1954, Station Operations and Engineering Squadron was activated and assumed most of the special and technical activities originally performed by AES-46.
During 1979, SOES relinquished many of the duties assigned the old AES-46/SOES and became primarily responsible for the operation and maintenance of assigned aircraft. SOES remains a unique, marquee Marine squadron maintaining two C-9B Skytrains, two UC-12 Kingairs, and three HH-46D Seaknight helicopters. The squadron operates the C-9B's and the UC-12's in a myriad of missions dealing with cargo/troop movement and the transportation of civilian and military dignitaries. The HH-46D is used for Search and Rescue missions by MCAS Cherry Point and the U.S. Coast Guard when extended searches in eastern North Carolina are required.
In February 1990 the squadron transported the U.S. Marine Band to Moscow and became the first Marine aviation unit to fly to the former Soviet Union. From August 1990 through 1991, the squadron flew nearly 2000 hours in direct support of Operations Desert Shield/Storm, moving troops and cargo in and out of the middle East. During 1992 SOES was awarded the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendations. In 1993, SOES received the third consecutive CNO Safety Award and the National Defense Transportation Award. In 1994, SOES was awarded the Commandant's Aviation Efficiency Trophy. In Calendar Years' 1995 and 1996 SOES again earned the CNO Safety Award. Additionally, in 1997, the squadron surpassed the 160,000 accident-free flight hours over a period spanning 30 years. On 17 September 1997 SOES was redesignated Marine Transport Squadron One (VMR-1) however their squadron missions will remain the same.
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