MCAS MIRAMAR
MARINES
San Diego, CA
United States
MCAS MIRAMAR
MARINES
San Diego, CA
United States
MCAS Miramar
Base Essentials
Welcome to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, just outside of beautiful San Diego, California! Formerly known as “Fighter town USA” MCAS Miramar was previously the site of the US Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, more commonly known as Top Gun. The base itself has roots back to 1918. In WWII the base was used by the 2d Marine Division as a Fleet Marine Force Training Center. In 1947 the Marines moved to MCAS El Toro in Orange County, CA while the Navy moved in and renamed it Naval Air Station Miramar. Half of the base was used by the Air Force for Project Orion and later by NASA f...
Base Details
Type
Marine Corps Base
Branch
MARINES
Command
MCICOM
Status
Active
Est.
1917
Acres
23,000
Active Duty
12,000
Civilian
3,000
Population
3,300,000
Economic Impact
$2 billion
MCAS Miramar History
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California, was originally a Navy air station made famous as the home of the TOPGUN fighter weapons school. The Marines took over the installation in 1997 when TOPGUN relocated to Fallon, Nevada. Today Miramar is home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and is the West Coast center for Marine aviation. The station operates F-35B/C fighters, helicopters, and tiltrotor aircraft and serves as the primary air combat element of I Marine Expeditionary Force.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
—
—
Historic Timeline
1917
Camp Kearny Established on Kearny Mesa
1952
Naval Air Station Miramar Established
1969
Naval Fighter Weapons School "Top Gun" Founded
1986
"Top Gun" Film Filmed at Miramar
1999
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Commissioned
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(5)
1917
Camp Kearny Established on Kearny Mesa
Camp Kearny was established on the Kearny Mesa plateau north of San Diego as a World War I Army training camp, processing tens of thousands of soldiers through training before deployment to France with the American Expeditionary Forces.
1952
Naval Air Station Miramar Established
Naval Air Station Miramar was commissioned as a jet aviation training facility, replacing earlier auxiliary facilities on the mesa. NAS Miramar became the Navy's premier West Coast jet aviation station, hosting successive generations of carrier-based fighter and attack aircraft.
1969
Naval Fighter Weapons School "Top Gun" Founded
The Naval Fighter Weapons School — universally known as "Top Gun" — was established at NAS Miramar on March 3, 1969, following analysis showing that Vietnam-era dogfighting kill ratios were dangerously low. Top Gun's rigorous air combat maneuvering curriculum dramatically improved Navy fighter performance.
1986
"Top Gun" Film Filmed at Miramar
The blockbuster film "Top Gun," starring Tom Cruise and shot extensively at NAS Miramar with full Navy cooperation, was released in May 1986. The film dramatically boosted Navy and Marine Corps recruiting across the country and made Miramar synonymous with elite fighter aviation worldwide.
1999
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Commissioned
Following the 1996 BRAC decision to transfer NAS Miramar to the Marine Corps, MCAS Miramar was fully commissioned by 1999 as the new home of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The Top Gun school had relocated to NAS Fallon, Nevada, while Miramar took on its new Marine aviation mission.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for MCAS Miramar.
MCAS Miramar Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for MCAS Miramar.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from MCAS Miramar.
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25 of the Best MCAS Miramar Restaurants
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18 of the Best Things To Do in MCAS Miramar
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to MCAS Miramar.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
Joint Reception Center (JRC)
Phone
(858) 307-1463Hours
Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM (after hours: CDO at (858) 577-1141)
In-Processing
All military personnel reporting to MCAS Miramar check in at the Joint Reception Center (JRC), Building 2258 on Mitscher Way, between 0730 and 1630, Monday through Friday. Report in Service Alphas with your service record book, all copies of PCS orders, and travel receipts. Personnel arriving after hours, on weekends, or on holidays report to the Command Duty Officer (CDO) at Building 8630 ((858) 577-1141) and then report to the JRC at 0730 the next business day.
In-processing typically takes two to three business days. Marines complete administrative check-in at IPAC (Building 8380, Smith Road, (858) 307-4321), receive unit assignment, and route through Finance, the Housing Service Center, the ID Card Center (Building 2258, (858) 307-3021), and the Branch Health Clinic. The Commander's Welcome Aboard Orientation is mandatory for E-1 through E-6, WO-1 through CWO-2, and O-1 through O-2, held at The Hub, Building 5305, 0730–1430.
MCCS Miramar operates the Information, Referral and Relocation (IR&R) office at The Hub, Building 5305, Miramar Way ((858) 307-1428, email smbmiramarmccs.iandr@usmc.mil, Mon–Fri 0800–1630). IR&R provides relocation counseling, area orientation, lending locker household items, and connections to on- and off-base resources. Mandatory PCS Workshops are coordinated through IR&R and must be attended 90 days prior to a PCS move.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for MCAS Miramar.
On-post housing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar is managed by Lincoln Military Housing, which operates communities on the installation in northern San Diego and in adjacent neighborhoods, offering 2- to 4-bedroom homes with access to modern community amenities and Lincoln's on-site resident services team. San Diego's exceptional climate, beaches, and quality of…
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Cost of Living Around MCAS Miramar
160
60% Above National Average
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near MCAS Miramar.
School Liaison Officer
School Liaison Officer (SLO)
1
Elementary Schools
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1
Middle Schools
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1
High Schools
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3
Colleges & Universities
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Education Resources
Notes, tuition & more
Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Mira Mesa
Suburban
Commute: 5 min
Schools: San Diego Unified School District
Closest neighborhood; affordable by San Diego standards; K–12 in SDUSD; popular with junior enlisted and junior officers
Scripps Ranch
Suburban
Commute: 15 min
Schools: San Diego Unified / Poway Unified
Highly rated schools; family-friendly master-planned community; very popular with families; higher price point
Rancho Bernardo
Suburban
Commute: 20 min
Schools: Poway Unified School District
Excellent Poway Unified schools; master-planned community with golf courses; popular with O-4+ and senior enlisted
Santee
Suburban
Commute: 25 min
Schools: Grossmont Union High School District
East county; most affordable San Diego option; longer commute; good value for families who need more space
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at MCAS Miramar.
State Income Tax
Military Pay
Retirement Pay
Vehicle Tax
Vehicle Registration
Coming soon
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Property Tax
Coming soon
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Spouse Income Tax
Coming soon
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Combat Zone
Coming soon
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Pet Policies at MCAS Miramar
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at MCAS Miramar.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
MCAS Miramar Veterinary Treatment Facility
Phone
(858) 307-6552Hours
Mon–Fri 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM; closed last working day of each month
Restricted Breeds
5
Prohibited Animals
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Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
Coming soon
Coming soon
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at MCAS Miramar.
Commissary
1
MCAS Miramar Commissary
Exchange
MCX
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sat–Sun 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Medical
1
Naval Medical Center San Diego — Medical Center
Childcare & Youth
Coming soon
MWR & Recreation
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about MCAS Miramar.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
East Gate (Main Gate / Miramar Way Gate) is the primary visitor access gate, open Mon–Fri 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM, Sat–Sun 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM. See the Gates section for the full schedule of all 3 gates and their access requirements.
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02
Is there temporary lodging on base?
Yes, MCAS Miramar has on-post temporary lodging available for incoming PCS personnel and TDY visitors. Reserve early — spaces fill fast during peak PCS season (May through August).
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03
What school district serves the base?
San Diego Unified School District (rated B- (Niche)) serves most military families at MCAS Miramar. Visit sandiegounified.org for enrollment info and the school finder tool.
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04
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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05
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for MCAS Miramar.
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06
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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07
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near MCAS Miramar.
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.