MCAS El TORO 2005-Present Final Look

[@DwightHowe]

I turned 18 while I was stationed there, my first duty station. Seeing the sun come up at Big Bear and watch the sun go down at Laguna Nigel all in the same day will always be good memories Being a young Marine in southern California was fun and exciting. I remember being surrounded by oranges groves, strawberries and lemon trees. Attended NCO School as an E/3 there, received meritorious Corporal while station there left the base in 1980 a sergeant. I enjoyed playing football there, I thought it was the best duty station in the Corps. It will forever be a memory of my youth that only a few would understand. Marine Corps Air Station El Toro

[@twasilk]

I turned 18 thru 20 at El Toro. Never made it to NCO school tough even though at 19 I was E/4.up for E/5 at release, that didn't fit into my life plan though.

[@jamescress]

sounds very much like my story tony....great memories though!

[@abbeyjane1306]

I was a tower controller at El Toro, '73-76. I moved to Newport Beach when I got out, and went to Orange Coast College. Semper Fi

[@mikes7446]

There’s hardly any Orange Groves anymore. All the strawberries fields are now homes 👎

[@seyerb]

MCAS El Toro was my first duty station as a young Sailor, 1986-1989, H&HS. I'm 60 years old now and sad to see the base is gone, so much good memories and made lots of good Marine friends.

[@shaddiegradyorielly6380]

MCAS El Toro was my first duty station after my MOS training in Quantico. I showed up February 1980. At 18 years old being in southern California for the first time was a amazing experience. Used to do my morning 4 mile run from our air hanger to the golf course entrance and back. It was good duty. God I miss those days. Orange county was amazing back then. Shout out to 4TH FASC DET B 1st FSSG. Semper Fi, fellow Marines, Cpl MAO.

[@randymuro9486]

I served as an Aviation Firefighter and Rescue man there in 1978-1979. In 79 I was sent overseas.

[@Porsche996driver]

Thanks Jay - well done! 3:51 That wide open view never to be seen again. 6:16 yeah had RV storage at the end, and that moved to Irvine Lake. Blogspot is long gone now. I remember last exploring the base around 2006 when it was still like a ghost town. My old army buddy worked at Beech hangar from ‘91 until the end, then went to Los Al. Lots of memories just like this. Time flies ha.

[@jdchee]

I lived at 1533 E Street for 6 years. I recognize the row of palms even without the houses. Thanks for putting this together.

[@vudoo1970]

I reported to MWSS-373, on my 19th birthday in January of 1989.MCAS El Toro was my first and only duty station. I was there until March of 1993 (except for Desert Shield/Storm). I met my wife of 31 years at the E-Club. Now our son is an active duty Marine with MWSS-371 at MCAS Yuma. I love the way California looks. I hate the way California operates. What a shame. Thank you for the video. Semper Fi

[@johnj.flanagan-hymnsoffaith]

This video put a big gulp in my throat, and a little bitty tear came rolling down. It is hard to explain it to a civilian or anybody who didn't experience MCAS El Toro. I went there as a Lance Cpl after attending Marine Aviation Opns (7041 MOS) in Memphis....and was sent to work at G3 Opns, 3rdMaw in the spring of 1966. There I made Cpl. Just a clerk typist at that point, but switched occupations to Counterintelligence and attended an Army Intelligence Course 1966-67, before returning to El Toro again briefly until being shipped to Vietnam. After a tour in combat, I was back at El Toro late 1968-70 to serve out my enlistment as a "West Coast Marine," a term they used, like "Airwing Marine or Airedale" as well. El Toro was in my view the best base to be stationed, better than Pendleton, San Diego, Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point, or any anyplace....well maybe "Kaneohe Bay" where a friend of mine went...might have been a good base too. Just my preference. Orange County was a great place for Liberty. El Toro has lots of memories. I think the ghosts of Marines still must haunt the place. Semper Fi, fellow Marines, JJF

[@jerrysullivan8424]

You are 100% correct, this is the best El Toro video on the internet. it does make you feel homesick, I was station there 1977,78 and lived off base in Stanton, Ca. I tear up sometimes also. I was just 20, 21 years old life has never been better then it was then. I am that Hollywood Marine that you hear about. LOL! My rank was E4 I worked at the commissary my 2 years there. Life is good now also, I'm retired. :) Semper Fi. By the way, my parents lived in Pomona and I had family in So. Ca.

[@johnj.flanagan-hymnsoffaith]

@@jerrysullivan8424 We have memories of El Toro, and the war, and our youth, and the Southern California scene, and by the grace of God, we are still around to talk about it. Semper Fi, my friend and brother.

[@Porsche996driver]

1966 wow I was only 2, but I was army from 85-93. Thanks for your service brother! 🇺🇸🎖️

[@csucujo]

I'm glad I stumbled across your video of El Toro Base - Thanks for posting. I was a Marine stationed with HMM - 164 Knight Riders as a GSE Mechanic from 1997 until I got out in 99. I toured the base years after I got out, I wanna say around 07, but they had demolished all the barracks, the chow-hall, and closed off the roads. All I have are the memories in my head - parties, drinking, crazy Jarheads, barrack hoes, and more drinking. Semper Fi.

[@sarahflorek11]

The hardest part of all this is that I can never go home again. I was born on base, my immunization records are stamped with MCAS El Toro... I spent the best years of my life on the base that is now a park! At least I have the memories

[@gccontact7779]

sarah florek I hear you girl!! Sad for me too. I was stationed there from 84-88 with the Black Knights of VMFA314. But there is suppose to a memorial a museum in the new park. Can't wait to see it

[@jerrysullivan8424]

I never knew that the base had a hospital. Sad to say, the happiest time in my youth was station there in 1977 and 78. We can't go back home. But the good memories live in our hearts.

[@weee9455]

My first duty station 1981-83 MWHS-3 then over to MCAS Tustin HMM-161. Bitter Sweet!!!!! Brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face. Thanks for the memories, great video

[@gccontact7779]

Wow!!! Your video starts at my old barracks 0:43 Brought tears to my eyes😢 There used to be so much going on around those barracks. Thanks for the tour down memory lane🙏 VMFA314 Seat Shop 84-88 Semper Fi!

[@wauzdancer1556]

Same here. 1976

[@katherinemoreno5923]

I was in those barracks too! 1991-1993! Brings back so many memories! Semper Fi!

[@USMCAllTheWay]

Great video my friend. I was at El Toro from 1985-87 at MAG 11 HAMS 11 GSE. Best base in the Corps. Loved the area so much, i decided to purchase houses in RSM and Trabuco Cyn. Semper Fi!

[@gmoney9068]

Thank you for your contribution, Marine. I was stationed at MCAS El Toro from July 1982 thru January 1983 as a 5811 (Military Police) and I will always remember my time there. Semper Fi.

[@jerrysullivan8424]

Out of all of the KZbin videos that I have watched over the years, This is my favorite one. Because it is like watching a home movie and brings back good memories of my youth. plus I like the music. I come back to watch it now and then to read the new comments and to feel good. Semper Fi.

[@abbeyjane1306]

I was a tower controller at El Toro (NZJ) from Feb '73 to June '76. I drove a red 1970 GTO convertible and spent a lot of time cruising the PCH. Thanks for the video.

[@gltglt8624]

stationed there from 2/73-9/74 MASS-III red/eye gunner platoon, drove a blue chevy malibu, quite a deal being there, santa ana, all up & down california coast,,..laguna beach, PCH, Tiajuana, long beach, anahiem, diego, irvine, orange co. Speedway, cal-jam concert, civilian chow hall we were"hollywood" marines, hair 11/2 inches on sides, 3 inches on top, pilot sunglasses, list goes on & on......

[@pucky900]

Thanks for the posting... amazing. Was there with VMA-242 from 1986 to 1991. Could not ask for a better place to be stationed. Sad to see this once great base closed.

[@STEVE038564]

thanks for all the memories when I left there never looked back, however now as the many years have passed I am grateful for the time I served at el toro as a marine, this place will never be forgotten kind of sad, myself an my fellow marines will never forget this place where we marched countless times or running our hearts out during our pfts thanks for posting this we appreciate it mwss 373 support squadron 1987-1989 Semper Fi

[@maxi0023]

Served at El Toro 1979-1981...H&HS. The instant this video starts at 0.38 is my barracks, and my exact room was bottom floor 2nd from last on right side. Barracks 732. How many days and nights I was in and out of there, or sitting in the grass, or on the wall in front of the barracks. My parking space was exactly where the car is sitting. This is such a wonderful and heartbreaking video, all at the same time. Thanks for posting.

[@aaliyahshuckahosee2770]

Semper Fi. My mom was in barracks 732 '77-'79

[@jerrysullivan8424]

I was station there in 1977, 78, I was assigned to the commissary because I had worked at a grocery store before coming into the Marines, I had a good duty, I was a night security guard from 11 PM until 6 AM Monday night to Sat morning, giving me a lot of free time. I lived off base my last year and also was blessed to have family living in So Ca. My MOS was 3051, warehouseman, so they needed someone to monitor the refrigerator system thru-out the night and to keep an eye on the Janitorial crew that came in at midnight. I also took inventory of the items on the shelves. I was the real HOLLYWOOD Marine. LOL! @@aaliyahshuckahosee2770

[@glyndablackledge4810]

Thanks for the video of El Toro, my dad was stationed at this base in 1959 the same year I was born in Santa Ana, I often wonder what the base look like and as a child at the age 4 when he was stationed N.C. Off to Vietnam he went and after 14 yrs. in the Military and out. RIP dad, you fought a good fight, now your at peace 💞

[@jerrysullivan8424]

I was stationed here in 1977,78. and worked at the commissary as a security guard, It was good duty for a Hollywood Marine. :) Thank you for sharing the video, It brings back good memories.

[@jamescress]

I was there from 75 to 78. I have vague memories of going to the commissary with my wife but can't remember where it was exactly. I do remember that the PX was awesome and I think you could get a haircut for $2....lol.

[@jerrysullivan8424]

@@jamescress Semper Fi. and thank you for responding.

[@jerrysullivan8424]

Every now and then I re-watch this video because my two years Station there from Jan 1977 to Sept 1978 were the best years of my youth, not that life is not good now, it is, but reflecting back on my 67 years so far on earth, the 2 years that I was there has been the best time in my life. when I watch this it brings back good memories. I took my wife and 3 kids there back in 1999 for one last time, but only made it to the front gate. they had shut down a few months earlier. I had made many good friends with not just Marines but civilians in the area, I lived off base in 1978 in the city of Stanton, and I am always wondering what had happened to those people who I hung out with or worked with. I have forgotten their names over time but still see their faces in my head, LOL! That said Semper Fi.

[@BeardedArt]

Thank you for this... I was there from July 94 - Sept 96 w/ MWSS 373(The main offices were some of the last photos with the cards painted on the side of the building)and you brought back many memories that had become very distant.

[@metaldad-zy3wp]

We may have run into one another on occasion. I was there from Aug 94 to Aug 96. VMGR 352

[@hedunlap]

That 4 Aces logo was painted by GySgt Fred Kamai.

[@bcahill134]

Jay: Thanks for posting this! Wow! Brings back LOTS of memories! You will hopefully recall that we served together in 121's avionics shop. I hope life has been good to you!

[@jamescress]

was there from 75 to 78....watching this brings tears to my eyes....what a great duty station to be at!

[@jerrysullivan8424]

I was also there from 1977, 78

[@shallow-marsh-yaker6730]

At 6:45 in the video, the build you pull in front of in your last shot, that was my building where I worked! It was AMAZING to see it one last time in your video. There use to be some jets along the road side also back in 1998 as you begin to make that curve around the flight line. Never thought I would see this again other than in my memories. Thanks for the great vid!

[@beavercleaver9008]

Whoa, that brought back a flood of memories, all good but a tear or two. Seems like a lifetime ago. way back in 75, 76 and I guess it is. I worked at Building 58 JRC with a great bunch of guys, officers included. Back then SoCal wasn’t so congested that you couldn’t move. There was still open land and it wasn’t city all along the coastline as it is now.. Big Bear, beaches, big cities, so many adventures, it was an eye opening experience for an 18yo yokel from rural Washington. Great, great duty!

[@jamescress]

I worked at building at Building 58 JRC for a time. Great place to be. Makes me choke up watching this. Ah...was I ever so young?

[@robb2056]

That damn main gaurd shack, stood many hours there waving people in. Thank you for sharing this

[@spuddoright1970]

I left there one afternoon on my motorcycle and left a very long strip of rubber as I peeled out of there feeling like I was in the free world... until I returned several hours later and found out the gate guard has a good memory... got a good ass chewing from the SSGT or Gunny that was on duty. Luckily only an ass-chewing!

[@davidduprey5330]

Our last duty station. We lived on Johnson Avenue in housing. Although, the houses are gone, I recognize things by the palm trees.. Dad is a retired senior chief hospital corpsman and I remember El Toro really well. Great memories. I got my first ever job at the PX and up until the middle of my junior year I went to high school at University High School in Irvine. Even though I graduated somewhere else, I'm Always a Uni Trojan.

[@andrew8504]

Home from '82-'85. Thanks for the ride! H&M-13 OMD, A-4's and Outlaws Forever!

[@13mackblack]

Thanks for sharing...Stationed here with the 3rd MAW Band 1995-1998. So sad to see our base look like a ghost town.

[@bobcblevins4184]

Served at El Toro assigned to the Brig upon return from Viet Nam from June 1966-July 1967. Returned exactly 20 years later for NBC Training. Lots of memories and sad to see her go. Semper Fi! Oorah!

[@AlaskaKlepper]

I was stationed at El Toro for almost two years from 1968-1971. I was very lucky to be there for that time, because the only other alternative was Vietnam. I had some amazing experiences and adventures at El Toro and in the local area. The air station was abandoned almost 30 years after I arrived there in March 1969. Being there probably influenced me later in life more than I can ever know. I was very fortunate to be with a great group of guys. I know the love of flying and aviation was given to me then. And the love of freedom from the military as well.

[@odiezzz]

4TH FASC, DET B 1ST FSSG, 1980 to 1983. Thanks for the look back. Semper Fi.

[@scoutsniper352]

Thanks for the video...MCAS El Toro was my first duty station 1998

[@yakisakisumo]

My dad was stationed here in 1978-79. They had the best air show...

[@Krazee80sMusicManiac]

I requested to be stationed there right out of radio school in 1988. Ended up at Cherry Point instead. Always hoped I would get there someday but it never came to be! Heard nothing but good things about it!

[@jdchee]

I was born at Cherry Point and grew up at El Toro 🥰

[@tookiezzz2898]

Stationed there in 1980-1983. We would take military hops from El Toro to Cherry Point. Catch the Gery Hound from New Bern to D.C. Then home to Pennsylvania. God that was good duty. God bless the Marine Corps. Semper Fi.

[@lounar482]

Thanks Jay... I was with VMA(AW)-121 from 1978-1981. Was a pleasure.

[@TJ-USMC]

"Thank-you for the Memories - Semper-Fi"

[@RWJR1369]

My 1st duty station after school also. in 1975.., VMGR-352...stayed about 9 months then accepted orders to Kaneohe MCAS... El Toro was always a busy base I thought.

[@2513344]

Thanks for the last look. I was there at a 8 week Vietnamese language school in late 1969 (TAD from MCAS Yuma). I enjoyed my couple of months there.

[@johnvaldez4913]

Best duty station ever,was with VMFA-531 airframes from 1978-81 Great memories and unforgettable times. Semper Fi !!!

[@Bill-1370]

Great Video. I served there with VMA-311 TomCats from Nov 81 to May 83 when we went to Japan for six months then back to El Toro Dec 83 till I was transferred to Italy (Barracks Duty) In July 85. El Toro was the BEST base I ever served at. P S That Barracks #732 was my Barracks while I was there, 2nd floor front room just above where you were filming.

[@dontreallymatter67]

El Toro was my first duty station with VMFAT 101. Was there till we BRAC'd to Miramar. I was the squadron colors Sgt and got to be part of the base closing ceremony. Some of my best memories of my time in the Corps are from that base. RIP our beloved home......

[@day2oldschool]

thanks for posting this video brings back alot of fun memories of the time i was there , i was stationed there from 1981-85 and was attached to mwsg-37/wts-37

[@dannyz8708]

I was there from 81 to 83. Worked at the control tower bldg. We maintained the air traffic control radars and nav aids. It was fun being next to the runway during flight ops when i was at the approach radar shelter. Especially at night. 35 yrs later i was still building radar for military use. Semper Fi.

[@patrickharvey6482]

My dad was stationed at El Toro from 6/70 to 5/73. I went to 9th, 10th and 11th grade during that time. What a great base it was. The movie theater cost .25 cents !! I got privates and corporals to buy condoms for me at the "smoke shop". I got a killer tan at the "O" pool each summer. I learned to ride motorcycles in the hills behind Wherry Housing. I went to Orange County International Raceway many many times and saw Don Prudome, Tom McKewen, Don Garlitz and a host of other famous drag racers. When I was bored I would climb on top of the BOQ and watch F-4 Phantoms take off. At night the flames from the afterburners were the length of a football field !! I got in a fight with a Major's son. My brother's bicycle got stolen from the theater. My dad found it at the Tustin police station a few weeks later. There was a 6.9 scale earthquake that knocked all my models off the shelf. My very first experience with weed ended up with 4 of us kids at the Provost Marshall's office being interrogated. I was the local newspaper boy for a year. One night I was walking home from the theater and stopped by the Enlisted Club. I couldn't get in so I just pressed my face up against the glass door to see what was happening. It was then that the bass player struck a note that vibrated that glass against my nose. Man that was for me !! I ended up playing bass in bands for over 40 years. I had an 11' Hobie surfboard in my room. It never went to the beach. Got my first driver's license while there. My dad was promoted to MAG-13 CO and I was not invited to the change of command due to having "somewhat" long hair. My dad didn't want to be embarrassed by my appearance. Ooorah, jarhead and grunt were the top used USMC words. Other than the F word which somehow made it into a minimum use of once in each sentence. El Toro. I could go on and on with all the life I lived there. So glad I got to grow up on that base. Of course there was culture shock in store due to dad being transferred to.... SOUTH CAROLINA ?????? Are you kidding me ???? Somehow I managed to get through senior year of high school in Beaufort, and then it was off to Quantico, Va. Yippeeeeee… Move it move it move it....

[@williamboardman9476]

Thank You. I served at El Toro from July 1979-September 1982. Used up many a rear set of tires leaving the front gate, heading to OCIR drag stripjust across the rail tracks.

[@wonderglory]

I remember watching the 1986 Disney Sunday Movie, "The B.R.A.T. Patrol." It was filmed on MCAS El Toro, which was playing the fictional MCAS El Diablo. The title characters uncovered a plot to steal base equipment to sell on the black market.

[@johnkarsten7977]

Part of "Heartbreak Ridge" was filmed there same year

[@hedunlap]

Nice to see my old shop, The one with the 4 Aces. MWSS-373

[@johnhenderson3646]

Thank you for this well done piece. Some others have posted vids of kids vandalizing this facility. It really grinds my gears, again, thanks.

[@semperfi211]

Thanks,nice job on video it choked me up. I was at El Toro from 85 to 89 with VMA-211 and Mals-11 OMD.

[@tookiezzz2898]

Stationed there from May 1980 until October 1982. 4th FASC, DET B, 1ST FSSG. I love the Marine Corps. Semper Fi.

[@robertbenson3437]

Stationed there from Dec. 64 to May 66, WERS 37 refuel/defueler near the south end of the runway near the the freeway. Lived in quonset huts then. Sad to see its now a regional park, thanks for the memories. SEMPER FI!

[@lounar482]

Three years ago I was able to sneak onto the base as demolition was underway. I was trying to find VMA 121 Hdqrtrs. I followed a dump truck around a construction road and ended up in this huge parking lot that looked pretty weird. I climbed up onto my car and realized it was the threshold to Rnwy 34. The numbers were still there. They had turned it into a parking lot. I was thrilled to stand upon the runway I had used so many times in the past.

[@MrKeithpineo]

I was a cook over on mainside back in 1981, many great memories there. It was a great duty station, close to the mountains and not to far from the Pacific.The smell of strawberries from the fields off base was pleasant as well as the orange groves.Too bad they had to close it.

[@johnkarsten7977]

Strawberries is right ... One of the top ten smells in my lifetime 84-87

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

I just delivered food to all of you. 1992-94. But still. It’s a memory I have When I was younger. Loved that place. Nostalgia working it’s wonders here. Now it’s just a bunch of ugly close together houses. No soul. Just cookie cutter houses. Ruined. There are a few airplane hangers ,,, some residential places. I’ve been taking pictures as much as I can. I’ll be back to take as many as possible before it’s gone. I wish I got to drive around before they tore most of it down. I’ll have the memories and photos ❤️✌️

[@butchwarmington7693]

great movie i was stationed there after Millington I was there in 67-69 with vmfa-232 red devils and then with vma 214 blacksheepi loved that station because I lived in Redondo beach about 30 miles north of mcas el toro memories flood back to me I lived in bldg 88 and sometimes in bldg 54

[@mikemccollough4023]

mid to late 80's, VMA 214 Blacksheep and VMA 311 tomcats, awesome base and good memories of a lot of good Marines, what was the barracks that still had the cubes? 365 maybe, man that was the best times, thanx for the video

[@kensmith2839]

I just went by what's left of MCAS El Toro May 6th, 2023. The tower is still standing and 3 of the MAG 11 F-4 hangers remain. I was a tower controller in the early 1970's. Semper Fi.

[@theaviationphotographer61]

the whole mag-11 area is being torn down demolition is starting on the HMM-268 Hangar, only half of the MALS-16 maintenance hangar is left the 3 remaining hangars are being prepped for demo all the various buildings and warehouses have been demolished the the area by the VMGR-352 hangars and MAG-46 area is getting demoed I know that the VMGR-352 hangar is being saved luckily for the flying leatherneck museum, it is honestly very sad seeing all the buildings getting demolished, so far from what I know nothing is being saved from the mag-11 area not even the atc and this is to make way for a veteran memorial park, it would be cool to see some buildings saved but great park has other ideas unfortunately, I have made several visits to El toro in the past few months 2 months ago I was out there before demo started I photographed as much as I could and uploaded the video to my youtube channel and earlier this month I was out there it was completely different and was a stark contrast to the month earlier(all the changes listed above).

[@bnaguy]

It makes me ill watching this. But I'd grateful to had a last look and appreciate you posting it. MAG 13, MABS 13 Launch & Recovery 74-78 Semper Fi

[@therealshins]

i did my high school years there while my dad was stationed there. 96-98. great times

[@jj5977]

I was with MWCS-38 at El Toro from 1979 - 1981. What a great place to be stationed. I have nothing but great memories of this base and the friends i met there.

[@callaghanbrakepads6823]

Me too! 2512 Detachment Alpha Wire platoon 95-98. Great times!

[@carbonsnail014]

@@callaghanbrakepads6823: 2512 Det-B Wire 86-89 I was there when MWCS 38 first split into two Dets we were housed at barracks 666 back then.

[@callaghanbrakepads6823]

@@carbonsnail014 oh yeah many good times in 666 and in SoCal

[@BillSmith1607676]

WAS STATIONED THERE IN 1973 TO 75 AT C POOL, CAME BACK ON 1976, RETIRED THERE IN 1977, G4 3RD MARINE AIRCRAFT WING. VISITED THERE IN 1998 , ATE AT BURGER KING.STAFF CLUB WAS NOT THAT OLD IF I RECALL, LOVED THE OLD CLUB. BROTHER DAVE AND I TOURED 2014, HEARTBREAK.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Remember running the mountains? It was great to be there in the 1980s. Semper Fi.

[@DwightHowe]

1977 -1980 stationed at El Toro, from pfc to sgt some of the most exciting memories as a young man just starting out in life. I remember when the Shaw of Iran took hostages we spent a lot of time deployed at Fort Irwin, 29 palms and Yuma for training. Barracks 669 snowboarding up at Big Bear in the morning and swimming at Laguna Nigel that evening. Good memories.

[@wauzdancer1556]

Brought back some good and hard memories. WTS-37 1977 - 1979. I had augmented from the reserves for a two year active duty hitch. Never forget the place. It was a lonely place for me. Spent most evenings at the movie theatre or just walking around. The barracks were filled with dopers and shit birds, and as such. Kinda folks if you hung around with them trouble will follow. Did not care for hanging out at the Enlisted Club, place was a dump. Minded my own business. Spent last few months at C-Pool making runs back and forth between El Toro and North Island Air Station hauling F-4 fuel drop tanks for rework. That was good duty be alone driving the truck off base. A bit of freedom and good scenery. Finished my enlistment tour got out and never spent much time looking back.

[@jerrysullivan8424]

I was station there in 1977,78 and lived off base in Stanton, Ca. I was just 20, 21 years old life has never been better then it was then. I am that Hollywood Marine that you hear about. LOL! My rank was E4 I worked at the commissary my 2 years there. Life is good now also, I'm retired. :) Semper Fi. Yes, there were a lot of drugs while I was there. but not where I was at, also I lived off base. I also had a pickup so I drove around so.Ca a lot and spent much of my time on the beaches.

[@bnaguy]

Best duty station in the wing. 2 tours. 74-75/ 77-78. I hate that they killed her. Semper Fi

[@erich9011]

I hit the military lottery when I got stationed here in 85. What a beautiful base it was. I just look at this and think about all the car washes and bake sales the people that lived here had to make it what it was. We all fought hard for 20 years to keep it. In the end the RE developers won. JET NOISE. THE SOUND OF FREEDOM.

[@951oct]

who sings the last song in this video? where u get the instrumental?

[@PEACE2U-ALL]

This video is disheartening. I didn't realize how negatively it would affect me. VMFAT-101 MOS #6072- Ground Support Equipment (GSE) '92-'96

[@STEVE038564]

thanks you are right all the buildings that you see on this video are gone I went an seen it ,everthing is almost bare now , barracks that you see on here are now only memories, maybe 1 hangar left to demolish, an runways have been broken up, theater is gone etc . thanks for the memories Semper Fi

[@andynorris3162]

Stationed here 1983-1987.

[@richarddanner6689]

Stationed there 6/66 hitch-hiked all over......Mag 11..Transferred to VMFA 122..F4....Hydraulics..went to Nam 9/67..Greatest time in my life..SFMF's

[@PhantomsPhorever1]

VMFP-3 84-88. This base was a gem. I spent all my money at the aero club flying around S. Cal and landing on these runwasy. I was 19-22 and loving life. I remember O.C. residents joining the Corps so they could have their kids at the day care center. It was built with bake sales and car washes. All of it lost. I loved California then. Now I hope Mexico takes over along with its residents. Semper Fi

[@abbeyjane1306]

I was a tower controller at El Toro and got my pilot's license at the aero club in '74 when I was 19 also. Toni and Fred Torres ran the aero club. Fred passed away, heart attack, I believe sometime after I got out, June '76. Semper Fi

[@buccsrule1]

I lived in this barracks(732) from 1987-1990 in Rm 219(second floor, door directly behind the second white post at 1:15 of this video) while I was with VMGR-352. Seeing the state of disrepair is so sad knowing what effort we put into field days every Thursday night. I would have liked to seen the condition of the courtyard on the backside of this building.

[@redboneqt70]

I was only there a few times with my husband to watch him play basketball in a tournament or two and was sad when they closed it. Oddly enough, we were stationed at Pendleton and got orders to Miramar. In 1997, we got orders to Willow Grove, PA, for a few years. He separated after and we came back to CA. Now, I’m trying to find pics or video of MCAS Tustin where my dad was stationed. I used to walk through those hangars and would love to get pics or video inside the gates while there’s still something left standing.

[@VMA225]

Such a shame that El Toro has had to close. I was stationed ther briefly in Sept. 1964 before deploying to West Pac and Viet Nam.

[@STEVE038564]

@BeardedArt hey question, I was stationed there with mwss 373 till I got out 1989 when did the unit move, I worked in the motorpool.......... Semper Fi

[@fernando47okc]

I was there from 1979-1986, Mag-13, VMA(AW)-121. 121 is in Yuma right now transitioning to the F-35, I wonder if they are going to close Miramar next and move all to Yuma ! Thanks for this video, I have memories from just about every part of that base :)

[@delbert9357]

I was there from 1988 to 1992 with VMFA-314 Seat Shop. Great times sad to see it like this.

[@rad4579]

Tragic. I was stationed there from 74 to 80. VMA 242, MAG13.

[@russellmcdonaldjr2123]

What is the name of the song played from 0:06 to 5:15?

[@MrJDKIRK44]

great video. i was stationed there jul 91 to dec 95. mwcs-38, vmfa-314 and mtacs-38.

[@carbonsnail014]

I left 38 Det-B Wire in 89.

[@VMA225]

Very Sad !!! Before going to West Pac in Oct. 1964, I spent about 2 weeks at El Toro. Came back from Viet Nam in Oct. 1965 and spent a couple of hours there !!! Went to a rollout ceremony at El Toro in 14 Feb. 1992.

[@dennyburns]

Stationed there 1982-86 -- great memories but this video made me a little sad.. It's not how I remember it..

[@wonderglory]

Were you there when, "Heartbreak Ridge," and, "The B.R.A.T. Patrol," was being filmed?

[@sirmarkthomas]

OMG! That was my old room in the first shot!

[@jonilyn865]

Awesome! Thank you! MWSS-373 HE 1995-1998

[@stevenfletcher9289]

Work in the area now you can still see flight control tower and some of the hangers. You can drive trough most of what’s left although it’s not much.

[@BearWalken]

You don't happen to have footage of the houses that were set on the hills just north of the base ?

[@jptzak9194]

Flew out of Tustin, but operated out of El Toro as well from 83 to 94.

[@tonywinlock1679]

I was in barracks 666 back in the mid 90's. wild times

[@metaldad-zy3wp]

I don't remember what barracks I was in but I was stationed there from 94-96. Moved off base. You and I may have been there at the same time.

[@tommierobinson5698]

I was there from 79-81/82-85. First time with MACG-38, H&HS-38. Second time with MACG-38,, MWCS-38. Barracks 666 Rm 321 then the second time 666 1st Deck south end. Believe it was Rm 110?? My roommate and I were the only two male Marines/senior NCO’s on same wing as the WM’s. Great memories there and what I believe was one of best duty stations in the Marine Corps. Semper Fi BROTHERS

[@callaghanbrakepads6823]

I lived in 666 too in the mid 90s and partied with you many times

[@HolyShnikeez_1975]

You told me I was getting kicked out for a failed Wizz quiz lol

[@sigmamale7241]

{0:39-0:44} Barracks 732...Lived there for a while in the early eighties!

[@mikewarden57]

Sad what happened here. Well done.

[@Sohappeee1]

I was stationed there in '64 attached to S.O.E.S squadron (Station Operations and Engineering Squadron). Mostly good memories.

[@sbfhawk4343]

I tried going onto the grounds to see and film the transformation but I was stopped by an Irvine Police. It was all good though I got some footage. But what really is troubling me is I did some research on the base and its full of TCE and Uranuim Pollution and many marines have become ill from the exposure to such chemicals. Now they want to build a park and a 9500 homes for people to live in? Does anybody see the problem in this.

[@horrorfreak9653]

What’s the address?

[@altonkennethjones-easton8503]

Stationed there from 66-67, then Nam, back at the lateral air base in Tustin in70.

[@camillan1576]

As of August 4th 2024 only 4 hangers the airtraffic control tower and the 3 train depot building are left

[@BeardedArt]

@STEVE038564 Damn brother, I'm sure we walked the same grounds many times... I was EAF/ Aircraft Recovery. When you were going down Perimeter Rd from the barracks(past the gate on Marine Way) I worked in the very first set of buildings that were on the left. At the end of 7L & 7R. I got out in 96 and the had already started the move. I think the move was complete in late 97 or 98. Not 100%. Sad to see it gone... Semper Fi