MCAS Miramar

Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar is located in San Diego, California, 14 miles north of the city center. The site was established in 1917 as Camp Kearny, a United States Army infantry training center. Following a period of demobilization after 1920, the United States Navy utilized the site for dirigible operations in the 1930s. During World War II, the Navy commissioned Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS) Camp Kearny in 1943 to train crews for the PB4Y-2 Privateer, while the Marine Corps established Marine Corps Air Depot Miramar. The facilities merged as MCAS Miramar in 1946. In 1947, Marine Corps units relocated to MCAS El Toro, and the installation transitioned to the Navy, becoming NAS Miramar in 1952. As a Master Jet Station, it hosted the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School from 1969 until 1996. Following 1993 Base Realignment and Closure commission recommendations, the installation transferred back to the Marine Corps, and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing relocated to the station in 1999.

The station is operated by the United States Marine Corps and serves as the headquarters for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation component of the I Marine Expeditionary Force. Major resident commands include Marine Aircraft Group 11, Marine Aircraft Group 16, and Marine Air Control Group 38. The base also hosts elements of the 1st Marine Logistics Group and the Marine Wing Support Group 37. Non-Marine tenants include the Naval Consolidated Brig and United States Air Force Detachment 2.

MCAS Miramar encompasses 23,116 acres, divided by Interstate 15 into West Miramar and East Miramar; the latter is primarily undeveloped and used for military training. The installation operates as a Master Jet Air Station supporting fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and tilt-rotor aircraft. Resident flying units operate squadrons of F-35B and F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18C/D Hornet, and KC-130J Hercules aircraft. Rotary and tilt-rotor assets include multiple squadrons of CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters and MV-22B Osprey aircraft. The station also maintains UC-12W Huron and UC-35D Citation transport aircraft. Infrastructure includes hush-houses for engine testing and the Miramar National Cemetery, located on the northwest portion of the property.