The Marine Corps will no longer fund the joint venture that kept the doors open for its only aviation-focused museum: the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in San Diego.
Marine Corps officials in Washington have yet to explain why their portion, $400,000 annually, to operate the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar-based museum has been deemed too costly. The Marine Corps has not responded to an inquiry. The facility is slated to close on April 1.
“It’s a location where we can inspire the next greatest generation of Americans as to what the cost of freedom is,” retired Brig. Gen. Michael Aguilar, the museum’s executive director, told the Washington Examiner Monday.
Aguilar, who flew Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopters for 31 years, including in the first Gulf War, said the museum is about more than preserving artifacts. It also fulfills the Marine Corps’s community outreach promise, hosting promotion ceremonies, veteran events, and school field trips while offering free admission to the public.
“They aren’t just artifacts. They aren’t just airplanes,” he said. “So many of our docent volunteers can actually have flight time in these aircraft, so they actually bring to life the stories of their service.”
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The museum hosts some 30,000 artifacts, including 30 fixed-wing and rotary aircraft.
About 14 months ago, the base commander said funding the museum’s five employees out of the base operational budget was unsustainable, Aguilar said. In response, the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum Foundation offered four proposals for transferring financial responsibility.
The base is already moving forward on plans to break apart the collection and unwind the museum in 3-5 years at a cost of up to $5 million.
“We’re waiting for a final decision from headquarters Marine Corps,” he said.
The museum website calls on supporters to appeal to their congressional delegations and the commandant of the Marine Corps to save the museum, which has been open for 21 years.
Aguilar is expecting a decision from Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger this week.
Republican Rep. Darrell Issa and Democrat Rep. Scott Peters, both of California, visited the museum over the weekend to show their support.
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“We’re well funded right now,” Aguilar said. “And, of course, that will allow us time to raise further funds to be able to take over the museum.”
He added: “We’re told this week, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed.”
