Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Location: San Diego, California
Installation Type: Marine Corps Air Station
Status: Active

Overview

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar is located in the northern portion of the city of San Diego, California, approximately 10 miles north of downtown San Diego. MCAS Miramar was formerly Naval Air Station Miramar – the legendary home of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) featured in the 1986 film “Top Gun” – before it was transferred to the Marine Corps in 1997. Today MCAS Miramar is home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW), the Marine Corps’ Pacific aviation force. The installation operates F/A-18, F-35B, F-35C, CH-53, MV-22B Osprey, and other aircraft from multiple squadrons. Miramar is one of the most sought-after Marine Corps assignments given its San Diego location.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Serve as home station for 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW) headquarters; provide aviation readiness and training for Pacific Marine aviation forces; homeport Marine fixed-wing, helicopter, and tiltrotor aviation squadrons.
Major Units: 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW) headquarters; Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11, F/A-18 and F-35C fixed-wing); Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16, CH-53E/K, MH-60S helicopters); Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314, F-35C); Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 (VMGR-352, KC-130J)
Tenant Units: Marine Air Control Group 38; 4th Marine Aircraft Wing (USMC Reserve); Miramar National Cemetery (adjacent); Federal Bureau of Prisons Metropolitan Correctional Center (adjacent, not part of base)

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: San Diego, CA (population approximately 1.4 million; metro approximately 3.3 million) – within city limits, approximately 10 miles north of downtown
Nearest Commercial Airport: San Diego International Airport (SAN) – approximately 10 miles southwest; easily accessible from Miramar
Gate Access: Main gate on Miramar Way; multiple gates; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 14,000
Family Members: Approximately 16,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 3,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 33,000

Key Facilities

Medical: Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD/Balboa Naval Hospital) is the primary hospital (10 miles southwest); branch medical clinic at Miramar; NMCSD provides full hospital services; Rady Children’s Hospital adjacent to NMCSD is world-class pediatric care
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) and facilities
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; pools; golf course (Miramar Memorial Golf Course); bowling; auto skills; San Diego world-class recreation, beaches, weather, and outdoor activities; base is close to Mission Trails Regional Park for hiking
Schools: San Diego Unified School District and Poway Unified School District serve military families; no DoDEA schools; schools in the Miramar area vary significantly; Poway Unified (accessible from northern Miramar area) is one of San Diego County’s best school districts; Scripps Ranch area schools (San Diego Unified) are generally well-regarded
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists common; register early
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office; appointment-based

Housing

On-Post Housing: Marine Corps Housing on base; privatized family housing in multiple neighborhoods; condition generally good; high demand given San Diego location
Average Wait Time: Can be 60-120+ days; San Diego off-post housing market is expensive but extensive
Off-Post Housing: San Diego communities – Scripps Ranch, Tierrasanta, Mission Valley, El Cajon, Santee, La Mesa, Lakeside are popular; Scripps Ranch (closest, excellent schools in SDUSD) is especially desirable; average rent approximately $2,800-$3,800/month for 3-bedroom home; San Diego is among the most expensive housing markets in the country; BAH is high but housing costs are challenging; California has no state income tax on military pay for non-domiciliary military members
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); San Diego BAH among the highest in the Marine Corps

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining squadron or command; 3rd MAW and squadron sponsorship programs; San Diego military community is very large and well-connected
In-Processing: MCAS Miramar in-processing; typically 2-3 days; squadron check-in for aviation personnel
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Family Services Center; enrollment required; outstanding specialist access through NMCSD, Rady Children’s Hospital, and UCSD Health

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Mediterranean; year-round pleasant; warm dry summers (average high 82F/28C in July); mild winters (average low 48F/9C in January); minimal rainfall; low humidity; approximately 266 sunny days per year; one of the best climates in the continental United States
Cost of Living: Very high; San Diego housing is among the most expensive in the nation; other costs moderate to high; California overall high cost; BAH helps but housing remains challenging
Nearby Attractions: San Diego Zoo (world-famous); Balboa Park museums; Mission Trails Regional Park (hiking, mountain biking, adjacent to Miramar); Pacific Ocean beaches (Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, La Jolla: 15-20 miles); USS Midway Museum; SeaWorld; Old Town San Diego; Tijuana, Mexico (30 miles); Los Angeles (120 miles); LEGOLAND; San Diego is one of the best quality-of-life assignments in the Marine Corps
Spouse Employment: San Diego metro offers outstanding employment in defense contracting, biotech/pharmaceutical, healthcare, technology, and tourism; one of the best employment markets for military spouses in the Marine Corps; Family Services Center assists

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.miramar.marines.mil
Main Installation Phone: (858) 577-1011
MWR Website: https://miramar.usmc-mccs.org (verify current URL)
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Marine Corps Family Services Center, MCAS Miramar; (858) 577-6352; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.miramar.marines.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/marine-corps-air-station-miramar; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MarineCorpsAirStationMiramar, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law