President's Update: October 2022

Dear Members and Friends of the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum,

I hope everyone had an enjoyable and safe summer! For those of you who live in Florida and in the Southeast, our thoughts and best wishes are with you.

The trek uphill continues as we work with the City of Irvine to craft an agreement for relocating the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum (FLAM) to Great Park. The two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), the first between Irvine and the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation (FLHF) and the second MOU between Irvine, the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation and the Marine Corps, along with previous planning discussions form the framework for the development of a final agreement. As you can imagine, this is not an easy task. The trek uphill continues as we work with the City of Irvine to craft an agreement for relocating the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum (FLAM) to Great Park. The two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), the first between Irvine and the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation (FLHF) and the second MOU between Irvine, the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation and the Marine Corps, along with previous planning discussions form the framework for the development of a final agreement. As you can imagine, this is not an easy task. The City hopes to have a draft available by the end of October and a final signed agreement by the end of November. Once an agreement is signed by both parties, the City and the FLHF can move forward with restoration of hangar 296 and planning for exhibits and displays. We are also actively working with the City to identify a temporary storage area for the aircraft and an agreement for transportation cost. At the same time, we are in discussion with two large transportation companies who specialize in moving aircraft and large items. A lot of detailed work, but we will get it done!

Earlier this month we completed the integration of the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation and the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum Advisory Boards. The newly constituted FLHF board is made up of 21 very experienced and talented members. Our first meeting was held on September 15th and new board officers were elected. Congratulations go to our new board chairman, retired LtGen Terry Robling, Vice Chairman, retired Col Pat Gough, and Secretary, retired educator Dr. Glenn Roquemore. The Treasurer’s position remains open. A heartfelt thank you goes to out to Vic Bianchini, Ron Ress, and Dale Mann, our previous board officers for their dedication and hard work. We also established fundraising and governance/nominating committees and are looking to establish programs and financial committees. Additional committees will be identified as we roll out and establish the museum.

We have an active fundraising campaign underway which is focused on identifying and scheduling meetings with various local groups and individuals who are potential large donors. But our day-to-day operating blood comes from our many supporters and donors such as yourself. We will very shortly be kicking off our annual appeal campaign with a target goal of $150,000. These funds help cover our general and administrative operating expenses and are critical to the foundation being able to continue its work and support of our middle and high school programs.

You don’t have to wait for an appeal letter. You can support our important work now by going to our website at www.flyingleathernecks.org, and tap the Join+Give tab at the top right. Then click on the Donate Now tab in the drop down menu and complete the simple donation form.  There is also a button at the bottom of this page. Your tax-deductible donation will help us continue the critical work necessary to complete the relocation of the FLAM.

Thank you and Semper Fi.

M. J. Aguilar

BGen USMC Retired

President/ CEO

Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation