It is located at Doña Ana County International Jetport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

As pilots, they began collecting warbirds after encountering them in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1979.

After considering several options such as Las Cruces, New Mexico and Reno, Nevada, John decided to build the museum closer to their home near the Doña Ana County International Airport.

[citation needed] The 54,000 sq ft (5,000 m2) facility unofficially opened to the public on 13 September 1989.

[3][2] Shortly after opening, the museum purchased a Tupolev Tu-2 from China.