Marine Corps Air Station El Toro Decommissioned Urbex Offlimits

[@All_Noing]

The building just after 6:00 was the Test Cell. We tested jet engines there (no rockets) after they were built, rebuilt, or repaired. The building with the tunnel is the Hush House. Aircraft engines would be tested in there, also, but while they were still in the aircraft. It's not a wind tunnel, but an engine exhaust tunnel. Thanks for bringing back some great memories. I was stationed there from 1990-1992 with MALS-11 Powerplants.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Right on good to know that building was quite interesting 👍

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Ah that's what that little hole is for. I tripped on that a once thankfully it's only about 8 inches deep now full of junk.

[@shaynewheeler9249]

El Toro Base

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Yup

[@shaynewheeler9249]

Roman numerals

[@gruffmusic]

Was stationed there 85-88. Some of the best years of my life!

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Thanks for your service 🤘

[@Steve-sp2ib]

The hanger at 3:54 was VMFA-323 F-4N's, I was part of the "Electric Shop" under Gunny Shoenfelt , '76-79 . Good times, sad to see it like this.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Very cool 🤘👍

[@troyclark4350]

I was stationed there 1983 - 1987 VMFA314 F/A18 now I live down the road. Lots of memories AB runs in the hush house AB launches in the dawn and dusk. phantoms flying over the barracks rattling the windows, All things must change but its hard to see it go. Semper Fi

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Very cool love too hear more

[@robertrios5019]

While stationed at MCAS Yuma, I was sent to attend a week-long N.C.O. class there in 1971. Met a beautiful BAM there, forgotten her name but I remember her beautiful smile. That was fifty years ago!

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Wow thanks you for your service

[@abbeyjane1306]

I was a tower controller at El Toro from Feb '73 to June '76. I got a pilot's license at the aero club in 74 when I was 19. When you are a kid you think your whole life will be this way.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

So cool love to hear more

[@badpugtruckin7066]

Was an air traffic controller at MCAS El Toro from 94-98. Immediately noticed the old cafe with booths inside the airfield ops building. Heartbreaking seeing how much the base has deteriorated . Thanks for filming it!

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Your welcome, thanks for your service!

[@abbeyjane1306]

I was a tower controller at NZJ, '73-76. I got my pilot's license at the aero club in '74. Being 19 years old and not too bright, I flew past the Newport Beach Pier many times at or below pier level. Semper Fi

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Super cool sounds like fun!

[@mikedalton2752]

@@abbeyjane1306 I worked in the GCA, control tower and even worked with the FAA when Coast TRACON was in the same room as the USMC GCA.

[@mikedalton2752]

I was a GCA controller and Tower Supervisor there as well from 1983-1992.

[@betholson2199]

My grandparents were both marines who met here working on airplanes, during WW2. Thanks for sharing.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Awesome!!

[@UltimateGoldenGirl]

I worked at the Officers Club there in the early 90's. Such a wonderful base. Wonderful memories of a wonderful base.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

How cool do tell more

[@Mutlap]

Worked for Club Systems. This organization handled food, all beer, wine, liquor, and entertainment. I even had the opportunity to drive acts to the officer's clubs. I even got paid after 4:00pm.

[@jdlawrence3675]

What a trip! I was tripping watching your video, seeing my past erased was a very strange feeling! I lived on base in the late 1960's and my dad was a pilot, so wondered which buildings he had been in when he was working there. Thanks for filming this!

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

You got it thank you

[@jerrera45]

I was stationed there in 1965 as a fleet marine corps medic. Lots of good memories, especially dinner at "The tail of the bull" just outside the gate.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Very cool 😎

[@erictremblay4940]

Great video thanks. I stayed there for a week (on "Space A") while on vacation - around 1993. Was lucky to attend the air show (did not know there was one) while I was there. Eric Tremblay, Capt, ret'd (army, Canadian Forces)

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Thanks Eric! 🤙the air show sounds nice!

[@familyman3573]

I enjoyed your tour of the flight simulator building. I was a USMC MP aboard El Toro from '94-'96. Although I never had reason to respond to that building, I recall it being designated as a "deadly force area" on the air station.... not that we wouldn't have used deadly force as appropriate elsewhere, but the flight simulator was included in a list of particularly sensitive buildings/locations.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Thanks it was pretty cool exploring that base, nice to hear you story aswell 🤘

[@watchthe1369]

The F-18 software was classified top secret at the time.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Cool

[@Water-Proof]

I was a Marine back in the day! I got orders to El Toro 3 times but I extended and stayed in Okinawa Japan every time, I could have lived in those barracks for sure! Thanks for giving us this information!

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Awesome really enjoy everyone stopping by with there stories from that time!

[@robertbenson3437]

Was stationed there from Dec. 64 to May of 66. WERS 37 refuel/defueler pool at the south end of the runway. Best duty station in many many stations. Semper Fi!!!!!!!

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Dang sounds like good times thanks for your service 🤘

[@lianecornils8733]

My husband was stationed at El Toro, in the early 80s. His MOS was information Technology. I didnt see you tour the building he worked out of but it was noisy with signs warning of it and he wore ear plugs. The married housing was some ww2 buildings called NAMAR. The base was in the center of beautiful Irvine, Costa Mesa, and was considered a Albatros to the community by some. Now its shocking to see you guys can get on it and look around in what was once high security areas. Im shocked. But thanks. It fun seeing it again as a military wife.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Wow very cool and interesting. Love to here the peoples story's and yes you'd be surprised some of the places I go and get into. Was so much fun to be able to wander around this old base.

[@remasterus]

Is your husband affected by a litany of awful, incurable diseases? Might be because this place was toxic hellhole, and still is. Great place to raise a family.

[@philbunten3835]

I was stationed there in 1964 & 65 before going to Viet Nam. I worked in the tower with communications nets across the US.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Very cool thank you for your service!

[@rayhageman]

From 1979 - 1983 I worked at both Hams -13 rebuilding and testing Jet engines. I later ended up in VMA-211 working on A-4 skyhawks. Today I have prostate cancer. The VA says not related???? Cpl Ray Hageman U.S.M.C.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Very cool thanks for sharing Ray! Sorry to hear about the cancer stay strong brotha!

[@debk378]

Had friends stationed there from 94-98, then transferred, it was an amazing experience to hang (and sometimes sneak in)...thank goodness they never got in trouble. ?

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Very cool guys

[@ezragonzalez8936]

Same here 94-97 right before it closed lots of memories for sure!

[@HolyShnikeez_1975]

Barracks 666 bunny?

[@socaljarhead7670]

I was among the last Marines to leave El Toro. MAG-46 Det B, HMH-769. It was mostly a ghost town by 1997 and when we left I think there was just one F-18 training squadron left. El Toro and Tustin LTA were the best duty stations in the whole Corps.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Dang that's wild thanks for your service!

[@ezragonzalez8936]

brings back memories in 1994 I went there every weekend for pre meps training sad to see it in ruins now some of the largest hangers on earth made for the zeppelins!

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

I know what a cool place, hope they save some of it

[@Mutlap]

watched 747s landing on El Toro MCAS in March 1975 loaded with Vietnamese children from Vietnam. The ironic part of this was I came from Okinawa in March 1975 flew back to El Toro.

[@abbeyjane1306]

I was a tower controller at El Toro from 73-76 and remember the Jumbo jets coming in from Honolulu with the Vietnamese families. 747s, DC10s. Semper Fi

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Very cool

[@rondanfield5951]

I was attached to H&MS-11, Cal Lab Precision Measurement Equipment from 71 to 74. First job was to unload 3rd MAW returning from DaNang. 6bys (deuce and a half) full of aircraft cables and lots of counterban mixed in, mostly M16’s. They were just building the test cell and flight simulator then. The old tower had a great restaurant for breakfast. Was nice place to be right in the heart of the flight lines. Squadrons H&MS_11 supported we’re J3, VMF 314, 531 241. Planes on flight lines were F4’s, A6’s, A4’s. Exciting place. Witnessed A4 crash and burn. Saw Air Force 1 many times with Nixon. Road to town of El Toro from base was 2 lane windy road and very dark and hard to drive on when coming back to base from Cooks Corner drunk when it was just a single Quonset hut. Great duty station. Sad to see how it fell apart. Attended the decommissioning of the base in 1999 with my Mustang Marine father in law at the Officers Club. Many great memories.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Very cool, thank you for your service 🤘

[@watchthe1369]

You were just in VMFA-323's hangar with the corsair and other planes painted on the wall. The squadron transitioned to the F-18's in 93 and they turned those in just this year to start recieving the F-35's.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Wow very cool

[@phanFXR]

I was there 85 - 88 had some really great times while stationed there and made some great friends who I am still in contact with.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Good deal. Was nice to visit the old base

[@THR3NA]

I met my xhusband there. From 1989-1990 the base was my “go to” place to drink underage. Then I started working there as a DJ for the enlisted side, and Staff NCO side. Friday night I was working in enlisted side, which was fantastic fun. And Saturday night which was dreadfully boring Staff NCO side. I loved seeing and hearing the Jets overhead all day. And esp when Blue Angels were around. Best seats, on the roof.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

What a crazy place!

[@litearmr]

I was stationed at El Toro from 1988-1992. I definitely remember the E-Club LOL.

[@THR3NA]

@litearmr wait a minute, we were there at same time then.

[@THR3NA]

@litearmr lol thankfully I only worked enlisted side far less than nco. A guy vomited on my shoe while requesting Ice ice baby. Lol. I only liked partying that side, not working. Staff NCO side was boring af to DJ but i hated talking on mic. They'd tease me calling me double G mute. Lol That place used to be so much fun. Daytime we'd play volleyball with the MP's. Wed and Fridays. Then that evening we'd have pizza there, dude named Eric was the one who made them. Free pitchers. Then friend Kristen and I would dance our asses off till closing at E side if I wasn't working that Friday

[@johneertwegh6261]

Was there about 30min ago. Stored my rv on the runaway from 2007 until they booted everyone off. I use to drive around the base , it was interesting. Attended many an air show there , played golf a few times at the base course. They recently opened up a new rv storage site. I drove around trying to find spots where my rv was parked, they moved us sound a bit back then. Some building are still up, the helicopter tower is still there as a few hangers are. They said there wasn't going to be homes there but as the politicians always lie there's a ton and not much "Great Park" as they promised. I seen them let the golf course go and the leased it out for agriculture . It's a shame. I have plenty of great memories there. I'd go there sometimes to do a bit of work on my rv take a few beers for after pull up a lawn chair and watch the sun set. Mis those days.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Yeah that sounds nice! Good times. Its really to bad it all went down like that. Thought the ground and water was contaminated but somehow still build new neighborhoods?

[@theaviationphotographer61]

crazy how a place can change over the years I was out there a couple months ago and much more of the building have been torn down I took some pictures with 35mm film and it sad to see such a cool place go

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Putting up that new neighborhood and school and all that yeah not much left today

[@theaviationphotographer61]

@@Urbex_Offlimits yup

[@snakeenjoyingacanofbeans5219]

That owl must be a genius. Any other bird would of hit all along the ceiling until it starved. 🦉

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Lol yeah most likely haha owls are cool!

[@someone_246]

I’ve been to the OC Great Park next to there, the runways are GINORMOUS

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Sweet!

[@MrKeithmears6977]

I got there New Year's Eve 1981 and I worked in the MEPS unit at the far end of the runway where the Jets would do their burn outs , and sometimes we got to see them take off ! I met my first wife there at the E Club . Her name is Brenda and her daughter is Angela .. we still chat occasionally . Our CO was WO Gallo ..and he sure got pissed off when my oldest Brother Called him from the Officers Club and told him that i had five minutes to get there so i could Party with His group from Cherry Point !

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Hahah good times love the old storys!!

[@TJ-USMC]

Excellent Video !!!

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Thank you very much!

[@vudoo1970]

Was stationed there, January 1990 to March 1993. Meet my wife at the E-Club. Still married, 31 years. Shame. They built a base in the middle of nowhere. People develop neighbors on cheap land because of airstation. Then complain it out of existence because of the noise and effects on their property values. Love the way Cali looks. Hate the way it operates. Semper Fi

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Yeah couldn't agree with you more thanks for sharing!🤘

[@ScumOfTheEarthRollerDerby]

Is the School still standing? It was not that far away from the engine testing building

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

No don't think so.

[@connorscharein6438]

I was just there on Halloween both sides and it was pretty cool especially the air simulation building

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

very cool happy halloween!

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Idk I went a wile ago I dont let PD stop me lol

[@connorscharein6438]

@Robdog 1 you have to climb the fences

[@londonqrivera929]

I might go here in a few weeks for some photography what are some cool spots I should check out

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

There's a few structures whatever looks cool and abandoned imo

[@styltec]

I moved to Irvine in 1971 before it incorporated Attended old Irvine grade school right next to the base from K1 till 4th grade took many field trips on the base not mention all the kids that parents served on the base many memories of the old base moved from Irvine just before she closed watched the blue angel fly over my house every year the whole week before every air show. Real American history sorry to see it gone.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

thanks for sharing with us!

[@BKMDano17]

I went to the air show for years and years before it closed. There was a Mexican restaurant on the other side of the freeway call Tijuana's Long Bar and Cafe I used to sit on the patio and watch the planes fly over doing touch and goes at night with the afterburners on. Very very cool. Orange County Raceway was right there as well was operating at the same time just on the other side of the freeway. Last time I was over there they had big machines breaking the concrete runways I thought they were all gone!?

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Very cool.

[@mistakesweremade4733]

Do you think the area is still toxic? Especially the building with the big circular chambers

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

I'm no expert so idk.

[@oofngoof231]

The 2 large domes are incredible to be inside. I wonder what they were used for. The front doors say Class II Laser Product along with Do Not Stare Directly into Laser Beam. Along with Laser Radiation. I wonder what lasers were being used for in two identical domes

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

As far as I know that building was a flight simulator

[@dallaspatrickp2858]

First of all, thank you for going into the sim building. I was part of the team that removed those flight sims and installed them in MCAS Miramar. It is sad to see the state of the building but at least it was still there when most of the base has been erased. Those two 40ft diameter domes housed a pair of F/A-18D Weapons System Trainers or WSTs. You could link the two together or train in them separately. The laser warning was for the laser target projectors that were used to project low def target images on the inside of the dome to practice dogfighting. Thanks again for this!

[@dallaspatrickp2858]

Oops! These were Weapons Tactics Trainers or WTTs. My bad.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

@dallaspatrickp2858 you got it my pleasure 🤘🫡

[@RileyThewolf_And_Stuff]

I'm considering going and doing some photography. I'm a marine my self and would like to see this little slice of history before its gone. If you don't mind me asking how hard was it to get in?

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

If you know where it is im sure you can find a way in. How hard it is is completely up to you!

[@RileyThewolf_And_Stuff]

@@Urbex_Offlimits awsome haha. I'm sure I'll be fine getting in. I live legit 10 minutes from it :)

[@Show_quality_trash]

@@RileyThewolf_And_Stuff hey devil, are you still trying too get in?

[@RileyThewolf_And_Stuff]

I legit just brought it up with a buddy last night haha. Yea I'm still trying

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Go get it guys! It's still doable most of it!

[@MG-sm6qu]

My ex father in law was stationed there when he got orders to Vietnam in the 1960s😎👍

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Back I Nam dang

[@jakezalenski5614]

The room with complete silence is gnarly I love that place. Did you not go into the nuclear room in the hangar?

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Idk big place. Did you see it in the video?

[@mikemccurdy5298]

I thought raised panels in server room were to run cables

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

I thought so too

[@mattcamina6124]

I see a barn owl 8:35

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Was such a big owl!!

[@flynntytonidae5631]

I've been wondering, how do you get in there? I'm an aviation enthusiast, photographer and videographer and I live right by Beacon Park, which is like less than a mile away

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Well this was years ago so might be a big different now

[@flynntytonidae5631]

@@Urbex_Offlimits But did you get permission? Did you just jump a fence? was there an open gate?

[@di62902]

Lived there 1987-1990 off base housing To this day I can remember wondering why they bused all us Marine brats out to University High School in Irvine when Eltoro High school was just down the road.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Right on!

[@mikeomalley4551]

In the early 80's you had a choice to go to Irvine High Or Uni High !!!

[@di62902]

@@mikeomalley4551 by 87 if you lived in El Toro housing you where paying to ride the school bus to university high school.

[@mikeomalley4551]

@@di62902 Correct, but if you had a sibling that was older than you going to a certain school you had a choice 82-86

[@psyk0withak]

Did you sneak in, if so how was it and did you go with anybody? I’ve been wanting to go here for a while.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

I do most of my exploring solo.

[@davistaylor9596]

I have been here at least 2 dozen times. A coming of age spot for me in a sense. The easiest way to get on WAS by parking at the high school and jumping the fence right there and walking. Now since the road is open you can park at the high school or in the neighborhoods. Jump the fence and thats about it. Be careful tho. Police presence is wayyyyy up since the road opened and the houses were built. Buddy of mine and his friends went out and got caught by the police near the air traffic control tower. The ones who were 18+ were arrested and the minors had to call their parents to get them. Last I went was about 4 months ago. Just be careful is my only advice

[@davistaylor9596]

Sometimes the gate that connects to the road in the roundabout right in front of the tower is left open by construction and you can just walk on

[@GianlucaBerger]

@@davistaylor9596 yeah I drove by and there’s a bunch of written warnings at the Main Street entrance by the high school... I guarantee it’s to keep us teens away from using it as a paintball arena or just vandalism as a whole

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Those are invitations!

[@jakezalenski5614]

I got chased by cops trying to get into that tower.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Yikes, they do patrol once in a wile

[@sabrimoze8272]

Can I go here with my car to take pics on the airstrip? I live 10 minutes away.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Idk haven't been in a wile and there was alot of construction last time but if you blow thru the fence you sure could get those shots lol

[@sabrimoze8272]

@@Urbex_Offlimits ok, thank you! I hope you have a good day :)

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Thanks you too!

[@bruh23556]

dude i was just here today and the flight simulator building is way more sketchy and erie. Idk how to explain it. My friend and I were on the roof of a hanger i’m pretty sure and it felt so unstable

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

I bet be careful out there!

[@JohnShinn6078]

Yep 👍👍👍 😺

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Have you seen the new bandit emoji??

[@JohnShinn6078]

@@Urbex_Offlimits yes. Is that actually Bandit? It is!

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Yeah first channel emoji

[@remasterus]

Ooooh! Toxic waste and groundwater contamination! What a great place for LENNAR to build homes for young kids to play around...

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Right when I heard they were building homes there I was shocked too

[@freqenc]

As a surviving resident, I would recommend the water. Stay Biden! You deserve it.

[@freqenc]

Most of the base kids are dead. Handful left! Nuff said.

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Sad but true 🤘 life is short

[@blackwater4044]

Did you find any white drug there?

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

No, but I wasn't looking.

[@bladeshot_tim5262]

100th like

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

awe shi

[@caponecruz6259]

We lost one of the hangars! Been a week since it's been burning! My friend who's a fellow resident of Tustin took some great photos & videos of the fire! It sucks!

[@Urbex_Offlimits]

Yes not here but close by