Military Runway Renamed: MCAS Cherry Point’s 5L/23R Will Now Honor Lt. Gen. Richard E. Carey

This bill, officially titled the Lieutenant General Carey Runway Act of 2025, is about one thing: renaming a specific piece of infrastructure at a military base. Specifically, it changes the designation of runway 5L/23R at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Cherry Point, North Carolina, to the “Lieutenant General Carey Runway.”

The Reason Behind the Name

When Congress decides to name something after someone, they usually lay out the why. In this case, the bill dedicates significant space (Section 2) to detailing the extensive and decorated career of the late Lieutenant General Richard E. Carey, a Marine Corps veteran who retired in 1983. The findings section reads like a highlight reel of his service, noting everything from his enlisted start in 1945 to his combat tours in Korea (where he earned the Silver Star) and Vietnam, and his final post as Commanding General of the Marine Corps Development and Education Command.

For the average person, this bill won't change your commute or your tax bracket. It’s a purely ceremonial and administrative move designed to honor a distinguished service member. Think of it like a city council naming a new bridge after a local hero—it’s about recognition, not regulation.

What Changes on the Ground?

While the bill doesn't affect civilian life, it does mandate a change in official government procedure (Section 3). Once this Act becomes law, every official U.S. government document, map, record, and law that previously referred to Runway 5L/23R at MCAS Cherry Point must now use the new designation: the Lieutenant General Carey Runway.

This means the folks who manage air traffic control, update aeronautical charts, and handle logistics at the base will need to update their paperwork. For pilots flying into Cherry Point, they’ll see the new name on their approach plates and maps. It’s a minor administrative shift, but it ensures that the honor is officially recognized across all federal agencies. The bill is straightforward and highly specific, leaving little room for confusion or interpretation about what needs to happen.