1942 -- Commissioned as a Marine Corps parachutists facility and named for Marine Lieutenant Archibald H. Gillespie. Camp Gillespie served in that capacity until Marine parachute units were phased out in 1944.

1946 – December, the County of San Diego leased Gillespie Field and converted it to a public airport.

1952 – County granted ownership of the facility by the federal government. 

1971 – San Diego County Sheriff stationed ASTREA, the law enforcement aviation section, at the airport.

1993 – San Diego Aerospace museum located its restoration operations and a special exhibit at the field.