MCAS El TORO 2005-Present Final Look

A final look at what will soon be just memories. MCAS El Toro is being demolished to make way for the new Orange County Great Park. Relive History.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• USMC
• MCAS El Toro
• El Toro
• Marine
• Marines

[RivMcLean]

Part Two: Sorry for the winded post: my dad was stationed here in the early 40's as well and every chance we get to talk about the Marine Corps, we do. typically over a good 12 year old single malt. He has all the stories of VFA 214 and Pappy Boyington. from El Toro to Guadalcanal. When I drove around, my barracks was still there mostly N9th & Perimeter Rd. Most of MAG 11 is still there too. My hangar was there, but it must have changed many years ago.

Thanks for the video again. Semper Fi!

[jaykruizenga]

@RivMcLean , thanks for your message. I was with VMFA-121 from 1988-1993. I never thought I would see the day that El Toro was destroyed. You can Google Earth MCAS El Toro and see the destruction there - dated Nov. 2009. All that remains of the barracks are the floors. Sad. I am so thankful that I was able to see her and drive most of the perimeter before the destruction.

Semper Fi.

Jay Kruizenga

[951oct]

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

[jaykruizenga]

All songs on video are by Moby. The last song you are referring to is called "One of these Mornings". It is found on Moby's 18 album.

[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.

[jaykruizenga]

I had footage of the rear of the building and actually peered into one of the rooms and up the stairwell. Talk about disrepair. The courtyard was filled with trash as was the walkway. Really sad to see it that way. I was in this building for a short period when serving with VMFA-121. Yes... I remember keeping the entire place immaculate. You could eat off the floors. So sad... and now they're tearing it all down. I hate change.

[hojoleon]

@buccsrule1 the junkies moved in. my father was the sergeant major of an aviation unit when it closed in 1999. drove by not to long ago and i see drunk addicts and all that nasty stuff.

[Sparkmaster3000]

@bootywild I was there at the same time working at Mag-11 Armory. Chances are I handed you an m16a2 a few times. I loved the base because it was so mellow compared all the other Marine bases.

[Sparkmaster3000]

So sad. At 9:17 I see the armory I used to work in. I had so much fun there. That place was where I first experienced life as an adult. I met some great friends there. Seeing this makes me sad.

[deathrattlers]

AHH FORGOT ABOUT BAXTERS CLUB REMEMBER

[deathrattlers]

Ahhhh GREAT TIMES AND BAD TIMES 1988-1992 with VMFA 314 and VMFA 3223 AND HHSQUADRON

[jdoedoenet]

Thanks for the memories devil dog!

I was there from '94-96 - MATCS 38 ATC Det B Radar. Hard to believe the place is gone now...so many good times.

[swimmerB0B]

i lived on the northern edge of mission viejo in the 80's and worked in the laguna hills industrial park under the approach corridor. it was awesome. nearly every day it was an air show. now, i feel privileged to have witnessed it all. of course i attended the real air shows every year. thanks, guys!

[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.

[BearWalken]

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

[rh30135]

Shout out to Kelly Hayman of Ohio, Patrick Ridgeway of Washington State and so many great guys I got to know. All live in my heart like brothers. God Bless all Marines. WTS-37 1977 to 1979.