Construction formally commenced on October 28 for the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, which will be located in the Great Park in Irvine. 

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

The Great Park site was originally the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro.

The museum's collection includes more than 40 restored aircraft, and will also offer an on-site research library with materials related to Marine corps aviation. Completion is expected in Spring 2027.

The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum will be located in the "Cultural Terrace" section of the Great Park,  which will span 45 acres and include 200,000 square feet of museums, performing arts facilities, and educational spaces.

The Great Park, expected to cost more than $1 billion, will span across 1,300 acres of land when completed, making it one of the largest municipal parks in the world.

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