I was there from 81 to 83. I worked in the building with the control tower that is shown in the first part of the video. We maintained the approach radar, navigation VOR, TACAN and airfield communications. Great duty station for a 19 yr old kid.
I was there in the mid 70's....I wasn't an aviator but in communications and worked in bldg. #1. It was one of the best times in my life. Ah...was I ever so young?
I actually worked in Bldg #1 which was where the commanding general's office was. My job was to pick up all the daily messages that had come in the last 12 hours or so, scan those messages and route them to their appropriate destinations on base. I had to be on base (I lived off base with my wife) at 6 am. I would get off at 14:30 though so I actually enjoyed it. To be honest Jerry it was one of the best times in my life. My dad, who was on the USS Oklahoma on Dec 7th, 1941, told me I should stay in for at least 20 years. I don't know, maybe I should have but i knew that eventually I would go to Okinawa and not be able to take my wife with me so I didn't.
@@jamescress I served 13 years, 4 active 2 years in the Ks. Nat. Guards and 5 in the Navy reserves. If you shopped in the commissary in 77 you would have seen me in the produce department, in 78 I was the night time security guard. I lived off base in Stanton.
I was stationed there '94-'96 and - other than the few remaining structures - it's unrecognizable now. It's wild to see all those businesses and housing (!) there. I wonder what, if anything, they did about the contamination. Even when I was there we were told that the land and groundwater were pretty badly contaminated with fuel, TCE, etc. You didn't dare eat from the orange groves, but - oddly enough - there were some commercial strawberry fields on base at that time.
Was with VMA-211 from 77-80. Great times, friends and memories of a Great air station. Looks like greed and influence has taken over! I also see nothing I would call a Great Park.😂
With very few exceptions, you don’t own the airspace above your property. It’s not an active airport. It’s not a prohibited area on a sectional chart. It’s not a problem. Irvine PD has no jurisdiction above the abandoned airport.
I was there from 81 to 83. I worked in the building with the control tower that is shown in the first part of the video. We maintained the approach radar, navigation VOR, TACAN and airfield communications. Great duty station for a 19 yr old kid.
I was stationed there 1963-64 with VMCJ-3. Had a great time, numerous friends and memories.
I worked in Hangar 296 with MAMS-37, 1964-66. That was the best duty station ever.
my first duty station in 64, many great memories
where did you work?
@@terryrwhitford6333 MAG 37, at that time it was MAG 37 MWSG Refueler pool near the SW end of the runway, it was changed to WERS 37 in 67'
EL TORO WAS A BEAUTIFUL BASE WHEN I WAS THERE ,81, 82
God bless you Sir.
I was there in the mid 70's....I wasn't an aviator but in communications and worked in bldg. #1. It was one of the best times in my life. Ah...was I ever so young?
@@jamescress I was station there 1977-78
I actually worked in Bldg #1 which was where the commanding general's office was. My job was to pick up all the daily messages that had come in the last 12 hours or so, scan those messages and route them to their appropriate destinations on base. I had to be on base (I lived off base with my wife) at 6 am. I would get off at 14:30 though so I actually enjoyed it. To be honest Jerry it was one of the best times in my life. My dad, who was on the USS Oklahoma on Dec 7th, 1941, told me I should stay in for at least 20 years. I don't know, maybe I should have but i knew that eventually I would go to Okinawa and not be able to take my wife with me so I didn't.
@@jamescress I served 13 years, 4 active 2 years in the Ks. Nat. Guards and 5 in the Navy reserves. If you shopped in the commissary in 77 you would have seen me in the produce department, in 78 I was the night time security guard. I lived off base in Stanton.
I was stationed there in 1967-68 with VMA-214 and I don't recognize a thing.
I was stationed there '94-'96 and - other than the few remaining structures - it's unrecognizable now. It's wild to see all those businesses and housing (!) there. I wonder what, if anything, they did about the contamination. Even when I was there we were told that the land and groundwater were pretty badly contaminated with fuel, TCE, etc. You didn't dare eat from the orange groves, but - oddly enough - there were some commercial strawberry fields on base at that time.
I was there '95-'97 with MWCS-38. Many great times living in barracks 666
Was with VMA-211 from 77-80. Great times, friends and memories of a Great air station.
Looks like greed and influence has taken over!
I also see nothing I would call a Great Park.😂
This is depressing to see all the new housing.
Ugly Boxes...
I was there 1952 53
How flying over this area with drone allowed/permitted? Considering trying but don't want to get in trouble.
Considering it’s abandoned, I don’t think anyone would care
@@robdog1245 They have cameras at every entrance and irvine police at every entrance multiple times a day....they care.
With very few exceptions, you don’t own the airspace above your property. It’s not an active airport. It’s not a prohibited area on a sectional chart. It’s not a problem. Irvine PD has no jurisdiction above the abandoned airport.
@@FunWithAJ really? I’ve been out there the last 4 weekends, and haven’t seen a soul. No cameras, no police.
@@robdog1245 100% every time I go back any of the entrances
"Too bad MCAS El Toro is gone forever." Yeah, now there wouldn't be any evidence of drug smuggling there.