President’s Update: February 2023

Dear Members and Friends of the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum,

I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday and is keeping warm!

I want to take a moment to update you on our progress with the relocation of the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum (FLAM) to Great Park, Irvine, CA (formerly MCAS El Toro). Good news to report! The Irvine City Council recently approved, contingent on a more detailed plan, the interim facility, including the transportation of the museum collection and storage at Great Park.

We are now in the process of working with the City staff to develop a building cost program that we hope will be approved by the City Council at their February 14, 2023 meeting. Once approved, we will move forward with contracting for the transportation of the Museum’s collection to Great Park. Once the aircraft are on site and protected in storage, the Museum will begin much needed maintenance and conservation. This critical restoration work will be performed while the interim facility is under construction.

We are now one more important step closer to bringing the FLAM home! To learn more about the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum’s original home at MCAS El Toro and our project to relocate and reopen the Museum, visit our website. I will keep you updated on our progress and hope you will continue to support our efforts to preserve and share the legacy of Marine Corps Aviation by protecting this one-of-a-kind collection of Marine Corps aircraft. Your financial support and advocacy truly does make a difference.

The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum helps strengthen America by preserving the aviation history of the U.S. Marine Corps, honoring those who served, and inspiring an appreciation of America’s freedoms and values in all generations.

Thank you and Semper Fi,

M. J. Aguilar

BGen USMC Retired

President/ CEO

Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation

Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum