Marine Corps Air Station Tustin — Irvine, California

Marine Corps Air Station Tustin (FAA Identifier: NTK) was a United States Marine Corps installation located in what is now the city of Irvine, Orange County, California. Situated at approximately 33°42'N 117°49'W at an elevation of 55 feet above mean sea level, MCAS Tustin served as one of the most distinctive military aviation facilities in Southern California for over five decades before its closure in 1999 under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.

The station is perhaps best remembered for its two enormous wooden blimp hangars — Hangars 1 and 2 — constructed during World War II to house U.S. Navy blimps used for coastal patrol and anti-submarine operations along the California coast. These hangars, each approximately 1,072 feet long, 297 feet wide, and 178 feet tall, are among the largest wooden structures ever built. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 and remain standing today as anchors of the broader Tustin Legacy redevelopment project, visible from the 5 and 55 freeways and recognizable landmarks across the Irvine-Tustin area.

During its operational years, MCAS Tustin served as the home of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) units flying AH-1W SuperCobra and UH-1N Twin Huey helicopters, as well as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadrons operating CH-46 Sea Knight aircraft. The station supported Marine Corps aviation operations across the Pacific Fleet and provided critical training infrastructure for aircrews deploying to the Western Pacific and the Persian Gulf. At its peak, MCAS Tustin housed several thousand military personnel and their families, contributing significantly to the economy of Irvine and surrounding Orange County communities.

The airfield itself featured two runways oriented to accommodate the prevailing coastal winds of the Santa Ana Plain. The main runway ran approximately 8,000 feet, capable of handling a range of fixed-wing and rotary-wing military aircraft. The station's proximity to El Toro Marine Corps Air Station — located roughly 7 miles to the southeast — made the two bases complementary facilities within the Marine Corps' Southern California aviation corridor.

Following the 1993 BRAC decision, MCAS Tustin was officially closed on July 2, 1999. The approximately 1,600-acre property was transferred to the City of Tustin and other local entities for redevelopment. Today, the former base is being transformed into Tustin Legacy, a large mixed-use development incorporating residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, parks, and civic facilities. The two historic blimp hangars are central to preservation and adaptive reuse discussions, with plans to convert them into entertainment, sports, or large-format commercial uses given their extraordinary interior volumes.

For aviation history enthusiasts visiting the Irvine and Tustin area, the former MCAS Tustin site offers a unique opportunity to view military aviation heritage. The blimp hangars are visible from public roads surrounding the Tustin Legacy development. The broader Orange County aviation landscape includes John Wayne Airport (SNA) approximately 4 miles to the southwest, which serves as the primary commercial airport for Irvine residents, offering service from carriers including American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, and United to destinations across the United States.

Travelers based in Irvine also have convenient access to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), approximately 40 miles to the northwest via the 405 freeway, and Long Beach Airport (LGB), approximately 20 miles to the north. For those researching military aviation history in Southern California, the former MCAS El Toro site — now the Great Park in Irvine — and the March Field Air Museum in Riverside provide additional context for the region's deep ties to U.S. military aviation throughout the 20th century.

Marine Corps Airport Tustin Contact Information

Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Irvine, Texas.

Name Marine Corps Airport Tustin
Address 4 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine CA 92606 Map
Phone
Website
Hours

Map of Marine Corps Airport Tustin


Frequently Asked Questions — Marine Corps Air Station Tustin

No. MCAS Tustin was officially closed on July 2, 1999, following the 1993 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decision. The approximately 1,600-acre property has since been transferred to local jurisdictions and is being redeveloped as Tustin Legacy, a large mixed-use community. No aviation operations occur at the former airfield today. Travelers in Irvine should use John Wayne Airport (SNA), located about 4 miles southwest of the former base, for commercial flight access.

Those are Hangars 1 and 2 of the former MCAS Tustin, constructed during World War II to house U.S. Navy blimps used for anti-submarine patrol along the California coast. Each hangar measures approximately 1,072 feet in length, 297 feet in width, and 178 feet in height, making them among the largest wooden structures ever built. They were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. Current redevelopment plans for the Tustin Legacy project include adaptive reuse of these iconic structures for entertainment, sports, or commercial purposes.

MCAS Tustin was primarily a helicopter base in its later years. Units stationed there flew the AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopter, the UH-1N Twin Huey utility helicopter, and the CH-46 Sea Knight medium-lift helicopter. These aircraft supported Marine Corps aviation training and deployment cycles oriented toward the Pacific Fleet. The station worked in close coordination with the fixed-wing jet operations at nearby MCAS El Toro, which flew F/A-18 Hornets and other tactical aircraft before its own BRAC closure in 1999.

John Wayne Airport (IATA: SNA), operated by Orange County, is the closest commercial airport, located approximately 4 miles southwest of the former MCAS Tustin site. SNA offers nonstop flights to major U.S. destinations via American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, United, and Alaska Airlines. For a broader range of international and connecting flights, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is approximately 40 miles northwest via the I-405, and Long Beach Airport (LGB) is about 20 miles to the north.

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