Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

Geography

The base contains 23116 acre. It is bisected by Kearny Villa Road and Interstate 15. The area east of Kearny Villa Road, called "East Miramar", is undeveloped and is used for military training. Miramar is recognized as the world's largest Master Jet Air Station.

History

Kumeyaay Native Americans were the first inhabitants in the vicinity of the base. Spain claimed the San Diego area in 1542 and colonized it beginning in 1769. In 1846, the crown issued a land grant that included the area of the current base to Don Santiago Argüello. After the American Civil War, the land was divided and sold to people such as Edward Scripps, a newspaper publisher from the eastern United States, who developed a ranch on the site. It was Scripps who named the area Miramar, meaning "view of the sea". The land was predominantly used for grazing and farming into the early 20th century.

1918–1941

During World War I, the U.S. Army acquired 12721 acre of land in the Miramar Ranch area, on a mesa north of San Diego. Camp Kearny was opened on 18 January 1917 and was named after Stephen W. Kearny, who was commander of the Army of the West during the Mexican–American War. The base was primarily used to train infantrymen on their way to the battlefields of Europe. During World War I, an airstrip was never built on the property, although Army and U.S. Navy aircraft from Naval Air Station North Island did land on the parade deck. Following the Armistice, the base was used to demobilize servicemen and was closed on 20 October 1920. More than 1,200 buildings were demolished when the camp closed.

Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis airplane was built in nearby San Diego. Lindbergh used the abandoned Camp Kearny parade field to practice landings and take-offs before making his historic solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

During the 1930s, the Navy briefly used the air base for helium dirigibles. In 1932, a mooring mast and hangar were built at the camp for the dirigibles, but when the program was abandoned, the base was quiet again.

World War II

By the time World War II began, Miramar was already undergoing a "precautionary" renovation. Camp Holcomb (later renamed Camp Elliott) was built on part of old Camp Kearny, to be used for U.S Marine Corps artillery and machine gun training. Camp Elliott became home to Fleet Marine Force Training Center, West Coast, and the 2nd Marine Division, charged with defending the California coast. Runways were constructed in 1940, and the 1st Marine Air Wing arrived on 21 December of that year. The Navy commissioned Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS) Camp Kearny in February 1943, specifically to train crews for the Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer, which was built less than 10 mi away in San Diego. A month later, the Marines established Marine Corps Air Depot Camp Kearny, later renamed Marine Corps Air Depot Miramar, to avoid confusion with the Navy facility.

The big Privateers proved too heavy for the asphalt concrete runway the Army had installed in 1936 and the longer runways built in 1940, so the Navy added two concrete runways in 1943.

During the 1940s, both the Navy and the Marine Corps occupied Miramar. East Miramar (Camp Elliott) was used to train Marine artillery and armored personnel, while Navy and Marine Corps pilots trained on the western side. The bases were combined and designated Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in 1946.

Naval Air Station

In 1947, the Marines moved to MCAS El Toro in Orange County, California, and Miramar was redesignated as NAAS Miramar (Naval Auxiliary Air Station Miramar). It became NAS Miramar (Naval Air Station Miramar) on 1 March 1952. In 1954, the Navy offered NAS Miramar to San Diego for $1 and the city considered using the base to relocate its airport. But it was deemed at the time to be too far away from most residents and the offer was declined.

Only the western half of Miramar's facilities were put to use; the old east station began to deteriorate, with many buildings sold as scrap. Miramar found new life as a Navy Master Jet Station in the 1950s. The eastern half, former Camp Elliot, was used by the United States Air Force for Project Orion (having been transferred temporarily), and later by NASA; it was the site of several launches. The base really came into its own during the Vietnam War. The Navy needed a school to train pilots in dog-fighting and in fleet air defense. In 1969, the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School was established organizationally as part of VF-121, which was then the F-4 Phantom Fleet Replacement Aviation Maintenance Personnel (FRAMP), which trained the maintainers who joined the fleet as qualified "Phantom Phixeres".

In October 1972, Miramar welcomed the F-14 Tomcat and fighter squadron VF-124, a former Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) tasked with the mission to train new Tomcat crews. Formerly, VF-124 had been training pilots in the F-8 Crusader. That task was handed over to Light Photographic Squadron 63 (VFP-63) that then became "Crusader College" The first two operational Tomcat squadrons, VF-1 known as the "Wolfpack" and VF-2 known as the "Bounty Hunters," trained here before deploying aboard in 1974.

NAS Miramar was also the west coast E-2 squadrons home. VAW-110 the west coast fleet replacement squadron and fleet squadrons VAW-112, VAW-113, VAW-114 (disestablished 1995), VAW-116 and VAW-117. With the change to MCAS Miramar, the training squadron was disestablished and moved to NAS Norfolk, Virginia. The fleet squadrons were moved to NAS Point Mugu, California.

1990s–Present: Marine Corps Air Station

In 1993, the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commission recommended that MCAS El Toro and MCAS Tustin be closed down and that NAS Miramar be transferred to the Marine Corps. BRAC also recommended that all Navy Pacific Fleet F-14 aircraft and squadrons (with the exception of those assigned to Carrier Air Wing 5 in Japan) and Pacific Fleet F-14 training be consolidated with the Atlantic Fleet and be relocated to NAS Oceana, Virginia. BRAC recommended that Pacific Fleet E-2C training be consolidated with Atlantic Fleet E-2C training at NAS Norfolk, that all Pacific Fleet E-2C aircraft and squadrons (with the exception of those assigned to Carrier Air Wing 5 in Japan) be relocated to NAS Point Mugu, and that the Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and Navy Reserve adversary squadron VFC-13 be relocated to NAS Fallon, Nevada.

In 1999, MCAS El Toro and MCAS Tustin were closed and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing returned to Miramar when it officially became Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. On 1 October 1997, Colonel Thomas A. Caughlan became the first Marine commanding officer of MCAS Miramar since World War II. Caughlan was also the last commanding officer of MCAS Tustin.{{cite news

In 2005, the BRAC Commission directed instructor pilots and support personnel from Miramar to Eglin AFB in Florida, sufficient to stand up the Marine Corps' portion of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program (JSF) Training Site.{{cite web

In 2006, the San Diego County Proposition A proposed obtaining 3000 acres (12 km2) at MCAS Miramar to develop a commercial airport. The proposition was defeated 62 percent opposed to 38 percent in favor.{{cite news |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701125041/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20061211-9999-1m11airvote.html |archive-date=1 July 2007 }}

Noise

Numerous noise complaints have been lodged against MCAS Miramar (and its predecessor, NAS Miramar) going back for decades funded partly by real estate developers (Pardee Construction Co). MCAS Miramar is located near the center of the City of San Diego. It is surrounded on three sides by residential areas including Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, University City, Clairemont, and Tierrasanta. MCAS Miramar has a web site and phone number that people can call to register complaints about noise. To lessen the noise impact to the community, MCAS Miramar has made adjustments to their operations over the years, including the use of hush-houses, limitations on engine run-ups, and modification to flight plans. In spite of efforts, noise complaints remain an issue in 2019.{{cite web|access-date=20 August 2008 |access-date=18 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313174110/http://www.miramar.usmc.mil/WebPages/NoiseComplaints/NoiseComplaints.htm |archive-date=13 March 2008 |url-status=dead "Marines reprimand two fighter pilots for flight mistakes, amid Miramar neighbor noise complaints" https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/military/sd-me-miramar-complaints-20180127-story.html "Neighbors concerned with F-35 coming to MCAS Miramar https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/neighbors-concerned-with-f-35-coming-to-mcas-miramar" "Jet noise disturbs some Carmel Valley residents" https://www.delmartimes.net/sd-cm-nc-jetnoise-20180911-story.html

Tenant Squadrons

Flying units based at MCAS Miramar:

Based units

Flying and notable non-flying units based at MCAS Miramar:

United States Marine Corps

Marine Corps Installations – West

• Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron – UC-12W Huron and UC-35D Citation

1st Marine Logistics Group

• Combat Logistics Regiment 15 (CLR-15)
  • Combat Logistics Company 11 (CLC-11)

3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

• Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3
• Marine Air Control Group 38
  • Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 38
  • Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38
• Marine Aircraft Group 11
  • Marine Aerial Refueller Squadron 352 (VMGR-352) – KC-130J Hercules
  • Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 (MALS-11)
  • Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 (VMFA-232) – F/A-18C/D Hornet
  • Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 311 (VMFA-311) – F-35C Lightning II
  • Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314) – F-35C Lightning II
  • Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 (VMFA-323) – F/A-18C Hornet
  • Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 502 (VMFAT-502)– F-35B Lightning II
• Marine Aircraft Group 16
  • Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 (MALS-16)
  • Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMH-361) – CH-53E Super Stallion
  • Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 (HMH-462) – CH-53E Super Stallion
  • Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 (HMH-465) – CH-53E Super Stallion
  • Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 (HMH-466) – CH-53E Super Stallion
  • Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron 161 (VMM-161) – MV-22B Osprey
  • Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron 163 (VMM-163) – MV-22B Osprey
  • Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron 165 (VMM-165) – MV-22B Osprey
  • Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron 362 (VMM-362) – MV-22B Osprey
  • Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron 764 (VMM-764) – MV-22B Osprey
• Marine Wing Support Group 37
  • Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 (MWSS-373)

United States Navy

Navy Personnel Command

• Naval Consolidated Brig Miramar

United States Air Force

Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC)

• Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center
  • Air Force Security Forces Center
    • Detachment 2 (GSU)

Crashes

There have been a number of aviation accidents:

• On 4 December 1959, an F3H Demon with Navy pilot ENS Albert Joe Hickman crashed into the adjoining community of Clairemont Mesa. The pilot stayed with the aircraft to avoid hitting a school. The city named an elementary school in Mira Mesa after him.
• On 12 August 1968, a U.S. Navy Vought F-8 Crusader (F-8C) fighter jet of VF-124 crashed while returning to (then) NAS Miramar, from nighttime Sidewinder missile training with three other F-8 Crusader fighters. The pilot, LT (JG) Roman S. Ohnemus, 25, did not eject, and died in the crash. The incident occurred in the dark, early morning hours in remote, brush-covered terrain off what is now Canyon Hills Park and Spitfire Way in Mira Mesa(somewhat level except for narrow valleys), north of (then) NAS Miramar, and Miramar Road, west of U.S. Highway 395 (now Interstate 15), and south of Black Mountain. A small brush fire was started by the crash. Live missiles presented a dangerous crash site to the first-arriving state forestry firefighters, who were woken by the crash. They were from the nearby fire station located at Carroll Canyon and then Highway 395 (between 1 and 2 miles) Miramar California Division of Forestry (now CalFire) fire station.
• On 22 December 1969, an F-8J Crusader of VF-194 crashed into a hangar at NAS Miramar, after the pilot ejected. 14 died and 30 were injured. Pilot Lt. C. M. Riddell ejected safely. Five other fighters, including two F-4 Phantoms, were damaged in the repair facility fire that ensued. Helicopters and military and civilian ambulances were used to transport the injured to Balboa Naval Hospital, San Diego.
• On 27 March 1978, an F-14 Tomcat from VF-1 crashed into I-15In 1982, I-15 was relocated eastward, and the road where the crash occurred became an extension of Kearny Villa Road. See
• On 7 November 1978, an A-4 Skyhawk used by the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, crashed and the pilot was killed.
• On 11 March 1985, an F-8 Crusader crashed into a parking lot of a nearby industrial park. The pilot ejected safely.
• On 3 December 1985, U.S. Navy Capt Henry M. Kleeman was killed when his F/A-18 Hornet skidded 5000 feet and flipped on a wet runway.
• On 21 March 1987 an F-14 Tomcat crashed just south of Poway Road, into the canyons of what is now the Mercy Road area, approximately 4 miles from the base. Both crewmembers ejected safely.
• On 26 June 1987, an A-3 Skywarrior from VQ-1 was practicing night Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) - The aircraft impacted the ground after turning downwind subsequent to take off. Three crewmembers were killed.
• On 11 March 2004, a UC-35 crashed on east Miramar at the approach end of the runway. Four Marines were killed.
• In November 2006, an F/A-18D Hornet from VMFAT-101 crashed on the eastern perimeter of the base, with the pilot ejecting safely.
• On 8 December 2008, four people were killed, two homes were destroyed and three homes were damaged when an F/A-18D Hornet crashed about 2 mi from the base.{{cite news|access-date=9 December 2008
• On 24 August 2023, an F/A-18 Hornet crashed east of the base close to the I-15. The sole pilot aboard died after ejecting from the aircraft.

Naval Consolidated Brig, Miramar

Main article: Naval Consolidated Brig, Miramar

Miramar National Cemetery

Main article: Miramar National Cemetery

On 30 January 2010, the Department of Veterans Affairs dedicated a new National Cemetery at the northwest corner of MCAS Miramar. The cemetery is an extension of Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery and when complete will accommodate approximately 235,000 deceased veterans and spouses.

Attractions

• MCAS Miramar was home to the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, which closed in 2021.
• The Miramar Airshow is a major airshow held each year at MCAS Miramar the last weekend of September. https://miramarairshow.com/

Attribution

References

Bibliography

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References

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3. Perry, Tony. (1 June 1996). "San Diego bids farewell to Top Guns". Eugene Register-Guard.
4. Fordahl, Matthew. (28 May 1996). "'Top Gun' flight school is leaving San Diego". Free Lance-Star.
5. Fetzer, Leland, ''San Diego County Place Names A to Z,'' page 93, Sunbelt Publications, Inc, 2005, {{ISBN. 978-0-932653-73-4
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8. "United States Naval Aviation 1910–1995". Naval Historical Center.
9. La Tourette, Robert, LT USN. (June 1968). "The San Diego Naval Complex". United States Naval Institute Proceedings.
10. Linder, Bruce. (2001). "San Diego's Navy". [[Naval Institute Press]].
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12. "Camp Elliot". University of California, San Diego.
13. "Overview of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar". MilitaryHOMEFRONT.
14. "2.0 MCAS MIRAMAR LAND USE". United States Marine Corps.
15. "Atlas ICBM Missile". University of California, San Diego.
16. Shettle, M L Jr.. (2001). "United States Marine Corps Air Stations of World War II". Schaertel Publishing Company.
17. [http://www.smartvoter.org/2006/11/07/ca/sd/prop/A/ Proposition A: Commercial airport at MCAS Miramar – San Diego County, CA] SmartVoter.org
18. Perry, Tony. (8 September 1996). "Helo…goodbye".
19. Kaminski, Tom. (2019). "Aircraft of the US Marine Corps". Key Publishing.
20. "About MCAS Miramar". US Marine Corps.
21. "Air Force Security Forces Center".
22. "Hickman the Hero".
23. This information is from a firefighter on the crash scene, Greg Bishop, and the pilot of one of the other aircraft on this training mission{{Original research inline. (April 2012)
24. "THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS AND I".
25. [https://www.gendisasters.com/california/11571/miramar-naval-air-station-ca-jet-fighter-crashes-hangar-dec-1969 Miramar Naval Air Station, CA Jet Fighter Crashes Into Hangar, Dec 1969. GenDisasters ... Genealogy in Tragedy, Disasters, Fires, Floods] {{Webarchive. link. (19 October 2021 . .gendisasters.com. Retrieved on 24 May 2014.)
26. Redlands, California: Redlands Daily Facts, Thursday, 22 December 1969, page one.
27. [http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Aircraft_by_Type/F_8_Crusader/PART_FOUR_CRUSADER.htm This Is A Work In Progress And I] {{Webarchive. link. (2 October 2012 . Ejection-history.org.uk. Retrieved on 24 May 2014.)
28. "Welcome blueangels-usn.org - Hostmonster.com".
29. [http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Aircraft_by_Type/F_8_Crusader/PART_FIVE_CRUSADER.htm This Is A Work In Progress And I] {{Webarchive. link. (11 October 2012 . Ejection-history.org.uk. Retrieved on 24 May 2014.)
30. Reza, H.G.. (4 December 1985). "Navy Pilot Dies After Jet Flips at Miramar".
31. [http://www.a3skywarrior.com/personnel/memorials/a-3-accidents-by-buno.html] {{Webarchive. link. (31 January 2016 . http://www.a3skywarrior.com/personnel/memorials/a-3-accidents-by-buno.html {{Webarchive). link. (31 January 2016 . Retrieved on 26 November 2015.)
32. Walker, Mark. (30 October 2009). "MILITARY: Other recent crashes involving local military aircraft". North County Times.
33. Times, North County. (30 November 2006). "F-18 crashes today east of Miramar".
34. (26 August 2023). "Pilot killed after F-18 military jet crashes north of San Diego".
35. "Pilot aboard F-18 military jet that crashed near San Diego has died: Official".
36. {{coord. 32. 52. 21. N. 117. 11. 04. W. 2701875. Miramar National Cemetery
37. Moss, Andrea. (30 January 2010). "MIRAMAR: Veterans, officials dedicate new national cemetery at Marine Corps air base". San Diego Union-Tribune.