On October 28th, the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation, in partnership with the City of Irvine, held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, which is being built at the Great Park.

The now-under-construction 131,000 square-foot aviation museum — located on the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro (MCAS El Toro) — is set to open in spring 2027.

The museum will include a collection of more than 40 restored aircraft and many related artifacts — representing over eight decades of Marine Corps aviation, from World War II to the present.

It will also feature stories of aviators, veterans, and civilians whose lives intersected with MCAS El Toro. In addition, the facility will offer STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) programs for local students. And a research library will be built — featuring books, photos, and materials related to Marine Corps aviation and its history.