MCAS El Toro (April 27th, 2018)

[@vernonmollan274]

This brings back so many memories. I was never stationed there, but lived in the area since 1952. Saw many Air shows there. As a Marine, I weep each time I think of the Pride that our pilots had being stationed there. Bless you for this tribute.

[@ARMON180]

Thank you for posting man! My dad was stationed at El Toro from 1995-1998 and we lived on Tustin MCAS. Every time I’m back in the Orange County area it brings back memories when I see the big hangars at Tustin, and signs for El Toro Rd. I went to my 2nd airshow there and it was the first time I saw a B-2 do a flyby. Thanks again!

[@dforderer]

I was stationed there in around 96-97 I was a cook there best base I've ever been stationed at got to witness the transfer to Miramar but being in kitchen didn't get to see much of the ceremony.

[@HolyShnikeez_1975]

I was there from 95-97. Barracks 666 MWCS-38. Best duty station in the Corp att

[@therabbitnews9362]

Thank you for posting this video. I spent my four year active duty there. At the beginning of the video, you show the old building of MWSG-37 ( Marine Wing Support Group 37) which my squadron WES-37 (Wing Engineer Squadron 37) was under. That building was built in 1985. Our squadron is not too far from that to the North just the other side of the runway. Thank you. MWSS-373 is a later support squadron after the alignment. Our squadron prepared the move since 1987. There were very few of us stay behind. I guess it took more than ten years to completely move the whole thing.

[@mxstylie312]

That was my backyard. I grew to love military aviation because of this place. I was around there from '76 to '96 and saw many airshows. I played little league baseball there and rode bikes around there when i was a kid too. man it's crazy to see it again. some of the best memories, thank you so much for uploading this.

[@zeeeman8744]

Brings back a lot of memories, what a shame

[@pucky900]

Thank you for posting.... really bringing back memories. I was stationed there with VMA(AW)-242 from 1986 to 1991. I absolutely loved the area and being stationed at El Toro. Great time in my life.

[@pucky900]

and yes... I was there watching the CO of MAG-11 hotdog'n an F-18 during the airshow slamming it into the ground. El Toro's airshows were the best. Still to this day... have never seen anything better.

[@joesalinaz275]

Although I was never stationed here (I served in the U.S. Army) El Toro will always hold a very special place in my heart. I grew up watching the fighters take off and land from there, and have attended several Air Shows there. I was very fortunate to get on base a few years back, due to a friend who was working on commercial shoot (For Ford I do believe) and was able to snag several chunks of one of the main runways. At least I know that I will always have a part of Military History with me.

[@billquillin1952]

So sad. I was stationed there once.

[@michaelkopala3738]

Me, too.

[@SydWaters1776]

I forgot all about this base closing. I went to my first air shows there starting in 86 or 87. I was 10 or 11.. Breaks my heart to see it like this. Brings back a lot of forgotten memories. Thank you for putting it out here.

[@carmengamadortv653]

My husband was stationed there from 1975 to 1976 then 1978 when he was honorable discharged. I believe he was exposed to that chemical contamination and passed away in 2018 due to liver Cancer. I believe it was there MCAS EL Toro and MCAS futenma Okinawa which is also contaminated. Where he was exposed. He served in MCAS FUTENMA Okinawa from 1976 to 1977. He suffered for 40 years with Cancer and all other illnesses. He fought 7 different types of Cancer. Lost both kidneys, tyrod, fought liver Cancer 3 different times. Lost his Spleen. Was in dialysis for 18 months. He died waiting for a liver kidney transplant. God rest his Soul. "Semper FI" Gone but not forgotten

[@iffdelta]

That alien attack in 1997 really put that place under...

[@MrBen527]

Really!

[@therookie9276]

?

[@MrBen527]

Independence Day. The movie!! lol

[@RCsportflyer22]

I'm so glad you referenced that movie. If you didnt, it would be an injustice to the video LOL!!!

[@therookie9276]

RCsportflyer22 Agreed!! That was a damn good movie though!!

[@alexanderdiego2362]

Great video. Brings back a lot of memories. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@tom-dr1ym]

met my wife there in 77 still together 44 years later

[@ssgtflo]

I used to go there many times as a kid with my family to watch the air shows. I only went there one time as a Marine as I was on emergency leave from the Philippines and I went to disbursing there to get paid. I have gone near there about 6 years ago as my son was playing soccer there on their turf fields which is next to the giant orange balloon.

[@glyndablackledge4810]

My dad was stationed there and I was born in Santa Ana hospital in 1959. If my dad was only alive to talk about the base and California, we were stationed out to N.C. when I was four so I don't remember nothing about the base but thanks to everyone for the video's.

[@chrishall6443]

Best place to be stationed. 45 min either way and you were in either LA or SD. Had many a great time while being stationed there back in mid 90's just before the Brack movement started.

[@karenbeck8684]

I worked as a Contract Inspector on that base from 1980 to 1989. It is a shame to see its deterioration. One of my main contracts that I inspected was a Landscape and tree trimming contract. A second one was a paint contract (interior and exterior). I inspected at Tustin Air base and USMC Air sTation. Remember the preparation for many Air Shows. Also remember President Reagan preparations when he landed in Air-force One to visit the western White House. Many other events on the base.

[@donaldwingett198]

VMT-2, early 65 till early 66, USMC, left from there to Viet Nam. Many many great memories!!!

[@tomr3304]

My father was in 323 Death Rattlers. Best years of my young life spent on El Toro 😢

[@richardalvarez2832]

Thanks for the video bud it brings back a lot of memories from when I was a kid .....rip El Toro aka the bull

[@tommccormick9290]

I was a 3051 with MAG 11 from 1-3-75 to 9-18-76. Best times were on the weekends.Was also at Camp Pendleton 5-75 to 12-75 for the Vietnamese tent city. Used my Kodak pocket camera often.

[@michaelkopala3738]

I was stationed there from 75 to 78. Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. For my last year-and-a-half I was acting assistant adjutant to Colonel Kevin E. Smith the commanding officer of the Squadron. Worked right down the hall to Sergeant-Major Doyle. The best of times and the hardest of times.

[@PatrickMcDade-p3m]

Heartbreaking to see what they have destroyed. Best duty station in the Wing. Two tours in the mid 70's.

[@CessnaDriver2]

As developers inevitably build more mega condos despite massive traffic issues and throw in a golf course despite water issues, I hope they leave a museum at least.

[@SydWaters1776]

I doubt it. Everything that meant something to the history of MCAS El Toro was moved to MCAS Miramar.

[@WideWorldofTrains]

Wow thats a cool place to visit

[@dohc22h]

Was there 94-96 H&HS Station Fuels (Hot Pits)

[@SunshineGurl07]

That was my first civilian job at El Toro Marine Air Station from 1989 to 1995. I have a lot of good memories! is Golf Course no longer used, correct? Wow. what a waste to see so much space are not used yet or build yet. pondering thought... What does it look like now ... 2019?

[@Hughster49]

When were the CH-46's at El Toro?

[@danp.2843]

My brother Rob Pollock was stationed there after Paris Island and Millington, Tenn. around 1985-86 ?

[@FunWithAJ]

Howd you gain entrance? Legally or illegally? Been trying to enter but it's all fenced off with cops everywhere.

[@jstorm001]

If you did abandon videos I would watch them too one of my favorite things to watch on KZbin.

[@mikewarden57]

Does anyone have an update, or how this place looks now?

[@spencerhughes2255]

They recently tore out the rest of the runways😞

[@HolyShnikeez_1975]

​@@spencerhughes2255I think the only part of the runways that they didn't tear out are part of the parking lot for 5 points amphitheater

[@robertbenson3437]

stationed there in 65 w/MAG 37 lived in Anaheim . It was buried in orange trees at that time, now its just houses!!

[@callaghanbrakepads6823]

1st duty station from 95-98 with MWCS-38. Stayed in barracks 666. Best times ever

[@justiceknight1399]

It's nice the building are still around, should be renovated, surly not all contaminated

[@justiceknight1399]

Unfortunate to see MCB closed, my old base not closed but it looks so different at camp San Mateo/camp Pendleton

[@MrShobar]

1:33. El Toro VORTAC (117.2 MHz; "NZJ").

[@jeffreymoore7729]

No way I wish I took videos like you did that's some good shots man I was just down there last summer and almost all that stuff's gone the main large hanger base we're still there and some of the NCO housing behind GSE which is on the back side of El Toro My Buddy Joe scigalano dug up your video and pass it on to me Roy's trying to find Dave Strickland anybody on here and know what Dave Strickland or Tony David Strickland Anthony David Strickland David Anthony Strickland he kind of changed his name a few times makes it harder to find them thanks everybody great video.

[@tommccormick9290]

In 75 and 76 I stayed in the barracks just to the right of the chow hall.heartbreaking tp

[@emmetband4931]

Thanks for the video, I was assigned to the B.O.Q. upon my return from Vietnam, June 1967.

[@KaosandRiot]

I was stationed there during the closing period It was sad

[@OtterlyInsane]

What was the red balloon about a minute in?

[@kuuphotos]

@Thomas Hadley There are hangers still at El Toro Base? I only know of the 2 blimp hangers in Tustin.

[@FunWithAJ]

It's a helium balloon ride attached the a stationary platform it's now part if the oc great park. Holds about 20-30 people and goes 500 ft up.

[@flyinbrianvids]

Man I seen so many airshows there, only time I seen a f-14 demo, b-1 and b-2, and I seen the f-86 crash there unfortunately.

[@flyinbrianvids]

Went to many airshows there as a kid, and when the water park was by the irvine concert place id be waiting in line for a slide and flights of hornets would come flying over and go into the break and i'd just watch in awe. Just plain sad they shut it down.

[@AviationFreak1]

Nothing beats being approached by police while on a military base lol.

[@herbboucher816]

I WAS STATIONED THERE 81,82 AND I THINK IT WAS A BIG MISTAKE CLOSING THIS BASE.

[@herbboucher816]

EXCELLENT VIDEO BY THE WAY.

[@christopherreilly5339]

So why did you upload it?

[@desertrat8322]

I was there 1982-84 MWSG-37 / WTS 37 I was the Armorer for my unit and the armory was near the chow hall

[@jeffreymoore7729]

I wasn't allowed to access the flight line when i was there, the fire department was doing some kind of mass training drill. 🤔

[@chicodecoster]

Thanks for posting this. El Toro was my first duty station during my time in the Marine Corps. I was with VMA (AW) 242 and lived in the barracks. I was stationed there from the end of summer 1988 until December 1990 when I was transferred to Cherry Point! El Toro was my favorite base from my entire military career. I was so sad when they closed the base.

[@kalilh9671]

Dang, that’s crazy. They’re in Japan now

[@Mike-01234]

Remember the F-86 crash in 1993 I was there close enough to feel the heat of the explosion in front of me.

[@calibro7147]

sad..lived there..went to the elementary school and air shows..played in the crappy playground that they had there which close by the marine base gym..just sad

[@bretz71]

So sad. Never was the same after the ID4 movie.

[@jesusisdahomie5348]

My last duty station in 1997. 373 wow I still have my P.T. shirt!

[@SuperTonyrojas]

i was also with MWSS 373(Motor T) that was our tool room and motor pool at 0:39-0:45.

[@BorisLu]

Nice video!

[@Aeroeyez]

Awesome vid! I was stationed here from 96-99 then we moved to MCAS Miramar. I now have the privilege to work for a company who is part of the development of El Toro (OC Great Park) and I do a lot of the aerial scanning/mapping for them. I took the liberty of capturing additional footage to document what is still there as I don't know how much longer these buildings will be around and I must say that the video I got, along with your video is kinda giving me flashbacks! LOL. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zqvde4SBm5xqjrc

[@AdamShaiken]

Disgusting and disgraceful !!!

[@irish00011]

Our Federal tax dollars were spent for construction of this facility, and with the demolition crew working, our tax dollars are again being spent for disassembly and the hauling away of the debris. Whatever is left standing, will crumble, until Mother Nature finally reclaims all. The only residents remaining will be the insects, the desert spiders, the rattlesnakes, the lizards, and arid lands bird populations. Your companion reminds me of a Shetland Sheep Dog. Some would say a miniature collie, but I do know the difference.

[@cheboludo6364]

It was worth about $1 billion when closed.

[@therookie9276]

Threw away something good. What a shame. Nice video though.

[@pimpsahan55]

I wonder if i can take my car to there? do some donut..