Flying Leathernecks - Log Book Winter-Spring 2022

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3UHVHUYLQJ WKH /HJDF\ RI 0DULQH $YLDWLRQ Newsletter of the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation

WINTER/SPRING 2022

MUSEUM RELOCATION & REOPENING An Update By Executive Director BGen Michael Aguilar

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would like to update you on our progress for the relocation and reopening of the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum to Great Park at the former MCAS El Toro in Irvine California, the museum’s original home. After lengthy, but always constructive discussions with Headquarters Marine Corps, the City of Irvine received a Letter of Intent in December 2021 stating that the Marine Corps “is prepared to loan aircraft and smaller artifacts for display in the future Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum.” The Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation, the City and Marine Corps are now working on a draft Memorandum of Understanding outlining the requirements and conditions necessary to execute the loan agreement. In the meantime, the Marine Corps intends to maintain the museum collection at MCAS Miramar until such time as the agreement is ready to be executed. This is wonderful news! The Foundation and the City appreciate the Marine Corps’ support and commitment to keeping this one-of-a-kind collection in tack and helping to move the collection to Great Park. I have received numerous assurances from Marine Corps leadership that the Marine Corps is 100% behind making this happen. Now the heavy lifting begins. The City of Irvine has already entered into a $6.9 million contract with an architectural and engineering firm for concept planning and design development, leading to the restoration and refurbishment of hangar 296, the new museum’s home. We hope initial cleanup of the hangar and surrounding grounds will begin later this year. Cost for restoration and bringing the facility up to current safety, ADA

and constriction standards are yet to be identified but will be the responsibility of the City, the owner of the facility. Development and planning for displays, exhibits, office and conference rooms, museum store, restoration activities and other visitor and museum attractions are the responsibility of the Foundation. To help with the effort an Advisory Board has been established along with five working committees to review legal, governance and financial requirements, facility and aircraft movement planning, exhibit, and display planning, and of course fundraising. The Advisory Board held its first meeting on site at the new facility last December. Last summer we began a “soft” fundraising campaign targeting an initial goal of $5 million to be raised over the next two years to support the Foundation’s requirements. I am thrilled to share with you that we have already raised $4.8 million in donations and pledges. Once we have a signed MOU, I am confident that we will be able to raise additional funds to help with the opening of the museum. Thus, our new goal is now $8 million, and our plans are to continue to move the goal post every time we meet our targets allowing us to build an endowment and support future requirements. The Foundation will continue to provide updates as they become available. We will communicate all news through Constant Contact and and other social media sites. We are also in the process of updating our website, www.flyingleathernecks.org which will be our primary means for updates. Please keep in mind that this is a marathon, not a foot race. It will take time, but I assure you it will get done.


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Flying Leathernecks - Log Book Winter-Spring 2022 by HOMELAND MAGAZINE - Issuu