Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar (IATA: NKX, ICAO: KNKX, FAA LID: NKX), formerly Naval Air Station (NAS) Miramar is an airfield of the United States military, located about 10 miles (16 km) north of downtown San Diego, California, USA, at 32.87° N 117.14° W. Its ICAO airport code is KNKX. The field is named Mitscher Field. The United States Marine Corps installation is home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which is the aviation element of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. Miramar is a plateau in the northern part of the city of San Diego, California, USA. Newspaper publisher Edward Scripps is credited with naming Miramar in 1890. ... July 18 is the 199th day (200th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 166 days remaining. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... October 30 is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 62 days remaining. ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Official force name Third Marine Aircraft Wing Other names 3 MAW The Wing Branch United States Marine Corps Chain of Command I MEF Description Combat ready expeditionary aviation forces. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (806x1237, 39 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Marine Corps Air Station Miramar ... An IATA airport code, also known an IATA location identifier or simply a location identifier [1], is a three-letter code designating many airports around the world, defined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). ... The ICAO (IPA pronunciation: ) airport code or location indicator is a four-letter alphanumeric code designating each airport around the world. ... A Location Identifier takes the place of the name and the location of an airport, navigation aid, weather station, and manned air traffic control facility in air traffic control, telecommunications, computer programming, weather reports, and related services. ... The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States military responsible for providing power projection from the sea,[1] utilizing the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. ... Nickname: Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates: Country United States State California County San Diego Founded July 16, 1769 Incorporated March 27, 1850 Government  - Mayor Jerry Sanders  - City Attorney Michael Aguirre  - City Council Scott Peters Kevin Faulconer Toni Atkins Tony Young Brian Maienschein Donna Frye Jim Madaffer... The term above mean sea level (AMSL) refers to the elevation (on the ground) or altitude (in the air) of any object, relative to the average sea level. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... The or meter (see spelling differences) is a measure of length. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... The or meter (see spelling differences) is a measure of length. ... Concrete being poured, raked and vibrated into place in residential construction in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ... PEM may stand for: Privacy-enhanced Electronic Mail Proton exchange membrane as in fuel cell, applications include use in proton-exchange fuel cells, used to manipulate hydrogen for energy conversion. ... An IATA airport code, also known an IATA location identifier or simply a location identifier [1], is a three-letter code designating many airports around the world, defined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). ... The ICAO (IPA pronunciation: ) airport code or location indicator is a four-letter alphanumeric code designating each airport around the world. ... “FAA” redirects here. ... A Location Identifier takes the place of the name and the location of an airport, navigation aid, weather station, and manned air traffic control facility in air traffic control, telecommunications, computer programming, weather reports, and related services. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Americas Finest City Location Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates , Government County San Diego Mayor City Attorney         City Council District One District Two District Three District Four District Five District Six District Seven District Eight Jerry Sanders (R) Michael Aguirre Scott Peters Kevin... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an agency of the United Nations, develops the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. ... The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States military responsible for providing power projection from the sea,[1] utilizing the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. ... Official force name Third Marine Aircraft Wing Other names 3 MAW The Wing Branch United States Marine Corps Chain of Command I MEF Description Combat ready expeditionary aviation forces. ... The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force is a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) of the United States Marine Corps primarily composed of the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and 1st Marine Logistics Group. ...

History

1918 - 1941

During World War I, the city of San Diego offered to lease 8,000 acres to the United States Army for a small fee. Camp Kearny was opened on January 18, 1917 and was named after Stephen W. Kearny who was commander of the Army of the West during the Mexican-American War. During WWI an airstrip was never built on the property although Army and 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 October 20, 1920.^[1] “The Great War ” redirects here. ... Nickname: Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates: Country United States State California County San Diego Founded July 16, 1769 Incorporated March 27, 1850 Government  - Mayor Jerry Sanders  - City Attorney Michael Aguirre  - City Council Scott Peters Kevin Faulconer Toni Atkins Tony Young Brian Maienschein Donna Frye Jim Madaffer... The United States Army is one of the armed forces of the United States and has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... January 18 is the 18th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... Portrait of Stephen W. Kearny Stephen Watts Kearny (August 30, 1794–October 31, 1848) was a United States Army officer, noted for action in the southwest during the Mexican-American War, in particular in the conquest of California. ... Combatants United States Mexico Commanders Zachary Taylor Winfield Scott Stephen W. Kearney Antonio López de Santa Anna Mariano Arista Pedro de Ampudia Strength 7,000 - 43,000 18,000 - 40,000 Casualties KIA: 1,733 Total dead: 13,283 Wounded: 4,152 25,000 killed or wounded (Mexican government... A C-5 Galaxy is loaded with people and equipment from the Deep Submergence Unit, Naval Base Coronado. ... Front page of the New York Times on Armistice Day, 11 November 1918 The armistice treaty between the Allies and Germany was signed in a railway carriage in Compiègne Forest on November 11, 1918, and marked the end of the First World War on the Western Front. ... October 20 is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 72 days remaining. ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ...

Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis airplane was built by Ryan Airlines Corp. in 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. Lindbergh poses with the famous plane The Spirit of St. ... The Ryan Aeronautical Company was founded by T. Claude Ryan in San Diego, California, USA in 1934. ...

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, 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 Marine 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 December 21 of that year. The Navy commissioned Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS) Camp Kearny in February 1943, specifically to train crews for the Consolidated PB4Y Catalina, which was built less than 10 miles 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. Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar (IATA: NKX, ICAO: KNKX, FAA LID: NKX), formerly Naval Air Station (NAS) Miramar, is an airfield of the United States military, located about 10 miles (16 km) north of downtown San Diego, California, USA, at . ... The U.S. 2nd Marine Division is a division of the United States Marine Corps, which forms the ground-force component of the II Marine Expeditionary Force. ... The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. ... December 21 is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... PBY Catalina was the United States Navy designation for an American and Canadian-built flying boat of the 1930s and 1940s. ...

The big Catalinas proved too heavy for the asphalt 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 1945.

Naval Air Station

In 1947, the Marines moved to El Toro in Orange County, California, and Miramar was redesignated as a Naval Auxiliary Air Station. In 1954, the Navy offered NAAS 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. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Only the western half of Miramar’s facilities were put to use, and the old station literally began to deteriorate, with many buildings sold as scrap. Miramar found new life as a Navy Master Jet Station in the 1950s, but 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 Top Gun school was established (and immortalized by the 1986 movie of the same name). Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000... TOPGUN is the popular name of the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor (SFTI) program. ...

In October 1972, Miramar welcomed the famed F-14 Tomcat. VF-124’s mission was to train Tomcat crews for aircraft carrier operations. The first two operational Tomcat squadrons, VF-1 and VF-2, trained here before deploying aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in 1974. These squadrons flew “top cover” during the evacuation of Saigon in 1975. The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable geometry wing aircraft. ... VF-124 Gunfighters was the west coast F-14 training squadron until disestablished, after that all F-14 training was done by VF-101. ... VF-1 was the first F-14 Tomcat squadron created by the United States Navy, commonly known as the Wolfpack. Initially assigned to the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the squadron flew patrols over Saigon during Operation Frequent Wind. ... VF-2 was a United States Navy aircraft squadron, commonly known as the Bounty Hunters, that has since been re-designated VFA-2. ... Enterprise Logo The supercarrier, USS Enterprise (CVN-65), formerly CVA(N)-65, is the worlds first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the eighth U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnamese: Thành Chí Minh) is the largest city in Vietnam, located near the delta of the Mekong River. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ...

Marines return

F/A-18 Hornet on the taxi way at MCAS Miramar

In 1993, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended that Marine Corps Air Station El Toro and Marine Corps Air Station Tustin be closed down. Both stations were closed and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing returned to Miramar in October, 1997 when it officially became Marine Corps Air Station Miramar^[2]. On October 1, 1997, Col. Thomas A. Caughlan became the first Marine commanding officer of MCAS Miramar since World War II.^[3] Col. Caughlan was also the last commanding officer of MCAS Tustin.^[3] Image File history File links MCAS_Miramar_FA-18A.jpg Sergeant Antonio D. Spencer, plane captain, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, waits to begin function checks on an F/A-18A during the squadrons annual reserve training at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar... Image File history File links MCAS_Miramar_FA-18A.jpg Sergeant Antonio D. Spencer, plane captain, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, waits to begin function checks on an F/A-18A during the squadrons annual reserve training at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) is a process of the United States federal government directed at the administration and operation of the US Armed Forces, used by the United States Department of Defense and Congress to close excess military installations and realign the total asset inventory in order to save... Marine Corps Air Station El Toro was a United States Marine Corps Air Station located near Irvine, California at . ... Marine Corps Air Station Tustin was a former United States Marine Corps air station, located in Tustin, California. ... Official force name Third Marine Aircraft Wing Other names 3 MAW The Wing Branch United States Marine Corps Chain of Command I MEF Description Combat ready expeditionary aviation forces. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 1 is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 2006, the San Diego County Proposition A proposed obtaining 3000 acres at MCAS Miramar to develop a commercial airport.^[4] The proposition was defeated 62 percent opposed to 38 percent in favor. Public sentiment was that they did not want to ask the military to leave and that the joint use arrangement increased noise levels to an intolerable level and interfered with the needs of the military.^[5] For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

Attractions

MCAS Miramar is home to the Flying Leathernecks Aviation Museum, which is open to the public.

The Miramar Airshow is a major airshow held each October at MCAS Miramar. The Miramar Airshow is an airshow held in October at MCAS Miramar in San Diego, California. ... The UK Utterly Butterly wing-walking display team flying Boeing Stearman PT-17 biplanes An airshow is an event at which aviators display their flying skills and the capabilities of their flying machines to the crowd. ...

Trivia

• MCAS Miramar is best known for the TOPGUN training program (formally entitled Naval Fighter Weapons School), immortalized in the film of the same name that starred Tom Cruise. In 1996, the program was relocated to Naval Air Station Fallon in western Nevada. During the heyday of TOPGUN at Miramar, NAS Miramar was nicknamed "Fightertown U.S.A."

• On November 30, 2006 an F/A-18 Hornet fighter/attack jet from VMFAT-101 crashed at Scripps Ranch just east of Miramar. The pilot ejected safely to the ground three miles east of the airfield.^[6][7]

TOPGUN is the code name and common name of the U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor (SFTI) course. ... Top Gun is a 1986 American film directed by Tony Scott and produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer in association with Paramount Pictures. ... Tom Cruise (born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV on July 3, 1962) is an Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe Award-winning American actor and film producer. ... Naval Air Station Fallon or NAS Fallon (IATA: NFL, ICAO: KNFL) is the United States Navys premier air-to-air and air-to-ground training facility. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... November 30 is the 334th day (335th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 31 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... The Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas) F/A-18 Hornet is a modern all-weather carrier-capable strike fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. ... Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101) is a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet training squadron. ...

See also

• List of United States Marine Corps installations
• Pogogyne abramsii
• Vernal pool

Image File history File links USMC_logo. ... This is a list of U.S. Marine Corps bases and installations, organized by U.S. state within the territory of the U.S. and by country if overseas. ... Binomial name Pogogyne abramsii Howell Pogogyne abramsii, the San Diego mesa mint, is an endangered annual plant of the vernal pool ecosystem. ... Vernal pools occur in North, Central and Southern California, with the largest found in San Diego. ...

Notes

FAA Airport Diagram

Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (806x1237, 39 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Marine Corps Air Station Miramar ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (806x1237, 39 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Marine Corps Air Station Miramar ... Lindbergh poses with the famous plane The Spirit of St. ... The Ryan Aeronautical Company was founded by T. Claude Ryan in San Diego, California, USA in 1934. ... November 30 is the 334th day (335th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 31 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... November 30 is the 334th day (335th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 31 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

References

Books

• Shettle, M. L. (2001). United States Marine Corps Air Stations of World War II. Bowersville, Georgia: Schaertel Publishing Company. ISBN 0-964-33882-3. 

Web

• Miramar Marine Corps Air Station. www.globalsecurity.org.
• MCAS Miramar (official site)
• FAA Airport Master Record for NKX (Form 5010 PDF)

Portable Document Format (PDF) is a file format created by Adobe Systems in 1993 for desktop publishing use. ...

External links

• Miramar Air Show held each October, with the legendary Sandy Sanders as its official announcer.
• Flying Leathernecks Museum web site
• FAA Airport Diagram (PDF)
• Resources for this U.S. military airport:
  • AirNav airport information for KNKX
  • ASN Accident history for NKX
  • NOAA/NWS latest weather observations
  • SkyVector aeronautical chart for KNKX