New Marine Corps Aviation Museum Set to Open in 2027

A restored Marine Corps aircraft on display at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum’s new home in Irvine’s Great Park — a tribute to the legacy of Marine Corps aviation and the city’s military roots.

Photo credit City of Irvine

On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps, Irvine officials joined veterans, community leaders, and members of the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation to celebrate a new chapter in local history: the groundbreaking of the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum at the Great Park.

Held Tuesday, October 28, the ceremony marked the start of construction for a 131,000-square-foot museum that will stand near historic Hangar 297, part of the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. Once completed in spring 2027, the museum will become the only institution in the nation dedicated to Marine Corps aviation.

The project is a public-private partnership between the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation, Irvine, and the U.S. Marine Corps. It will preserve the stories of the aviators, veterans, and civilians whose lives intersected with El Toro from World War II through the Vietnam War.

“Seeing the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum come home to its original location and serve as a beacon of history, valor, and education is one of my proudest moments as Chair of the Great Park Board,” said Councilmember Mike Carroll, who also serves as Great Park Board Chair. “This milestone, coupled with the United States Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary, couldn’t feel more right.”

The museum’s return to Irvine represents a full-circle moment. Originally established at El Toro in 1989, the museum relocated to MCAS Miramar in San Diego after the base’s closure in 1999. But in 2021, when Miramar could no longer host it due to budget constraints, the museum faced potential closure.

Community supporters rallied, raising $5 million to relocate the museum and secure its future. A partnership agreement with Irvine soon followed, paving the way for the museum’s return to Orange County. In 2024, the first restored aircraft began the journey north from San Diego to their new home at the Great Park.

Once complete, the museum will display more than 40 restored aircraft, from helicopters to fighter jets, alongside interactive exhibits, historical artifacts, and archival materials. The site will also feature STEAM-focused educational programming for students and a research library devoted to Marine Corps aviation history.

“As a longtime proponent of preserving the history of the park and honoring those who have served, the groundbreaking of this facility that will do just that was nothing short of remarkable,” said Mayor Larry Agran. “I’m proud to have supported this initiative from the beginning and to see it come to fruition.”

The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum is the first facility to break ground in the Great Park’s Cultural Terrace, a 300-acre section designed for museums, educational institutions, and performing arts venues. Future projects in this area include Pretend City Children’s Museum, Orange County Music & Dance, and an Asian-American history museum. The museums are all part of the 1,300-acre Great Park Framework Plan.

To learn more about the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, visit flyingleathernecks.org.