47 Comments:

• Hello. I stumbled across this website by accident and thought it was really cool!! I myself being a Marine Corps. Brat was lucky enough to live in El Toro. I have so many fond memories there and have yet to go back since my dad retired in 1990. I remember riding my bike all over base housing to meet up with my friends, walking past the barracks with my friends to go to the base pool. God it seems like just yesterday. We also owned a horse there so I spent many, many hours at the base stable. I always tried to help the manager because they had a lot of rental horse and I loved just to be there. Oh the many trail rides we went on for hours and hours behind base housing. And I will never forget my dad letting me skip school one day because they were filming that show "Highway to Heaven" with Micheal Landon, in base housing and on the air station!! I was so excited!! I got to meet some great actors that day and will never forget it! I have tons and tons of more happy memories in El Toro and are very glad I got to live there for several years. I just hope my kids can look back on there childhood place and have as many happy memories as I do living in Orange County.
  
  Lisa~
  MCAS~ Yuma, AZ.

  By  Anonymous, at July 23, 2007 3:15 PM  

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• I am so glad I found this site. I used to live at 121 Reasoner Lane in the base housing at El Toro. My Father retired from there in 1976. I have wonderful memories of that base, especially the pool. I attended El Toro Elementary right across the street from the runway. Does anyone remember the jet that crashed? I was in the fifth grade when that happened. It had to have been around 1975 or 1976. Just before we moved into Irvine. I remember we all had to be evacuated from the school becuase the jet was unmanned. The pilots had ejected and the jet was flying around all by itsself. Anyway, thanks for this site, I just wish there were picutes of the base housing. I sure would like to see it again.
  
  Kelly Lancaster (vanderDoes)

  By  Kelly Lancaster, at July 26, 2007 10:14 PM  

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• I was a Marine helicopter mechanic stationed at MCAS Santa Ana/Tustin from July 1975 through July 1995 and visited MCAS El Toro on a regular basis. I used to coach my son's Little League baseball games at the two ball fields down the hill from SNCO housing at El Toro. It was a sad in history when they closed the gates and turned out the lights for the last time on MCAS El Toro and Tustin back in 1999. They truly hold found memories for this since retired marine aviator and mechanic.
  
  JamNJerry

  By  JamNJerry, at July 30, 2007 11:38 AM  

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• Hello,
  I found your website while researching the El Toro Marine Air Station and have read the many posts on this site with great interest. Currently myself and eight other researchers from California State Univesity, Fullerton, are working with The Great Park Corporation to preserve the history of the El Toro Marine Air Station through the collection of oral histories. This is a great opportunity and a meaningful experience for all those involved. Of greater importance, however, is the preservation of the remarkable experiences and fascinating stories of the many people who served on the base, lived in the surrounding communities, or have family members associated with the base, both military and civilian. This project is of great importance because unless these memories are recorded they will be lost forever. At this time we are concentrating on the World War II and Korean War eras, but are interested in hearing from anyone with memories of the El Toro base. If you would like to be considered for the project, or know someone associated with the base, please let us know. We can be reached at 714-278-8415 or email coph-eltoro@fullerton.edu.
  Thank you,
  Janet Tanner
  Research Assistant
  El Toro Marine Air Station Oral History Project

  By  Anonymous, at August 12, 2007 10:54 AM  

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• Wow, does this bring back memories. I started kindergarten at El Toro Marine School. I attended that school from 86-90, moving during the middle of my third grade year. I absolutely loved that school, the housing, the base. I remember my dad throwing these unbelievably huge parties at our house on base. Not only did friends come, so did people we didn't even know. But, it was ok because everyone was cool then. My friends and I lived on our bikes every weekend, and Halloween was a huge thing for the entire neighborhood. None of my experiences here has yet stacked up to those of El Toro.

  By  Anonymous, at August 26, 2007 3:34 AM  

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• This is in response to Kelly Lancaster's posting: Yes I remember the plane crash. When I read your post it brought chills to me. I was in the 4th or 5th grade (I think) Miss Zeikel's (sp) class maybe. I still remember the jet crashing like it was yesterday. I was out on the playground and watched the two pilots bail out and then the plane circle and then finally take a nose dive into the field at the end of the runway. I remember the fire ball and explosion and a horse that had been standing in that field flying through the air. God it is so cool to have someone remember something that has been in my head for 31 years. Besides that I remember roaming the hills around the housing area (coyotes and rattlesnakes.) I remember the neighborhood quite well too. I lived on 109 Foster Lane. And the Eucalyptus tress that I'd pass one the way to El Toro Elementary. Glad I found this site, and thanks to Kelly for bringing my childhood memories back in a flash.
  
  George Milligan

  By  Anonymous, at September 08, 2007 3:11 PM  

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• Hi Lisa. I also lived in El Toro base housing around that time. I attended University High School in both my Sophmore and Junior year (1976-1977). Base housing, going to the pool with friends, the movie theatre were also fond memories. I also had a lot of friends from my high school since I wrestled and played football. My good friend Ken Dietre and I use to visit Laguna, Newport beach all the time, and we even hung out in Santa Ana once in a while. I remember working at the small general store which was located near the back gate. Near the back gate was housing, where I lived. I spent many hours running from housing to the base gym to work out and then had to run back. :) Before then, I cut so many yards for money so I could save for my first car.
  
  A lot of good memories. I actually revisited the area back in 1996, but I really didn't explore the housing as much as I wanted, and I regret that I didn't go on the base, because I always assumed that El Toro MCB would always be there. I couldn’t have been more wrong! I also remember playing some baseball at the little league field near my housing too.
  
  I remember making a good friend that lived in Officer housing. I actually stayed with his wonderful family for about 30 days so that I could finish high school since my father received orders oversea.
  
  Good to hear everyones stories. Thanks for keeping the memories alive.
  
  Tony

  By  Tony Monaco, at September 14, 2007 3:14 PM  

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• I was stationed at El Toro when the crash hppened. It was a TA-4 from H&MS 13,MAG 13. The back seater was actually an inlisted marine named Mark Miller. He "won" a back seat ride for being maintenance man of the month or something like that. He never flew again. The AC lost all hyd power and the pilot and Mark had to punch out. As soon as they did the AC continbued to "fly" on its own for almost two minutes and finally crashed near the end of the runway. It's very weird to hear about this again after all these years. Fun site

  By  Rick DeMoss, at October 15, 2007 10:56 AM  

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• I am looking for pictures of the old base and school. We lived close to the base. 8712 Midway drive, santa ana . My father was stationed in el toro around the late 60's and early 70's. I can't recall the name of the school we attended. Great memories. Father is gone now but still a Marine daughter and will always be.

  By  Anonymous, at October 21, 2007 11:32 AM  

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• I wrote earlier about living in the el toro area around the late 60's and early 70's. My father was a helicopter pilot and a teacher on base. He went to Viet Nam to fly rescue missions. We moved in 1971 when my father had a heart attack and we moved to Arkansas. We have great memories of living in Cal. The orange trees and of course the wind. We lived at 8712 Midway drive Santa Ana. I remember skating all over the neighborhood and riding ours bikes up the mountain. I am looking for pictures of the base. My father passed away 5 years ago and I would love to see pictures. Jackie

  By  Anonymous, at October 22, 2007 6:08 AM  

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• Hi fellow El Toro Marine Base School classmates,
  
  I went to ETMBS from Kindergarten to third grade and lived in base housing from 1968-1972. I remember living at the base of a reservoir and climbing up the hill to the top to watch the Blue Angels perform every year. I remember being able to see the fireworks at night from Disneyland. I remember the long waits in the car for my Mom to shop at the commissary. I remember learning how to swim at the base pool and being terrified. Having community Easter picnics under the BIG TENT and hunting for Easter eggs. I remember the Old Oak tree which we protected from bull dozers. I remember little league baseball games and field trips to Mission Viejo. I remember going to sleep every night to the loud roars of jet engines taking off for night manuevers. Tarantulas, snakes, cactus, earthquakes, fires, Santa Anna winds that would hold you up if you leaned into them. Fogs you could play hide and seek in. Lots of good memories. Hualoni Jones who took my place running against Tommy in the school races, because I had to go home sick with a soar throat. Tether ball - fun times.

  By  Anonymous, at October 25, 2007 7:44 AM  

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• I was El toro stable rat every day all summer my mom would drop me off at the stables and i would ride my horse and any other horses i could get my hands on, this was before they put in the "new road and The stables was paradise and safe for kids. Mrs. carr was the manager and Mrs belcher then mrs brown. I learned to ride a horse to play sprinkler tag to race up and down the orange groves to really ride. Any one have this childhood. to be a farm girl in orange county what a dream.
  Rode with bob elder on the irvine ranch actually see that there was coyotes and mountain lions. The smell of the orange blossoms. The roar of the jets during my frida y night jumping lesson with linda ellis or cris and marley. My horse Shauny and patches and supermarket. any one out there remember the base stables. and after 10 hours in the dirt and loving it we would go to the oclub pool and swim till they threw us out. Melissa thomason

  By  melissa thomason, at November 10, 2007 3:55 AM  

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• Gosh what fond memories all of these posts have brought back to me! My father was stationed at El Toro. We lived in a Quansit hut until housing became available for us! Then we lived in Wherry from about 1950-1955. All of the posts are after I was there but gee, nothing seemed to have changed! My father was in the Korean war and WW11. Clearance E. Tapp, Masterseargent. Some of my fondest memories are of the service families we spent a lot of time with, Art Jensen and family and Ken Sawin and family.

  By  Anonymous, at November 14, 2007 3:59 PM  

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• My dad was stationed at el toro, when I was born in 1955, they wouldnt allow officers wives to have their babies there. So, the parents drove clear to Corona to have me at the Corona/Norco Naval station - go figure? Seems pretty dumb, as my mom tells me she thought they'd just have me in the car on the way. Anyone have any similar stories of being stationed at El Toro and born in Corona? My birth certificate says Norco.

  By  Anonymous, at November 24, 2007 3:09 PM  

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• To anonymous Nov 14: My father served in WWII and Korea, Jack Barney, MSgt. We also lived in the Quansit Huts. We moved from Camp Pendleton to El Toro in 1955 and lived on base in Quansit huts but soon got the house on Mc Fadden Street in Santa Ana. Are you one of the Tapp’s that lived on the corner of Bristol and Mc Fadden?
  To Anonymous Nov 24: My dad was stationed at El Toro, my brother was also born at the Norco Naval Station in 1955. It wasn’t just Officers wives who gave birth at Norco, my dad was enlisted, since El Toro did not have a maternity ward almost all births were delivered at Norco. Did you know the Norco Naval Station is right next door to the Norco Federal Prison? We used to kid my brother about the “prison” birth place!
  My mom and dad used to play BINGO Tuesday nights on base. They would drop us kids off and the daycare center. They used to win prizes not cash when playing bingo. I think every appliance in our house was a bingo prize! I used to love to shop at the commissary, prices were good and no TAX. I also remember the milk and bread store at LTA (Lighter then Air Base) in Tustin. Good memories!

  By  Anonymous, at December 21, 2007 5:05 AM  

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• Hello i also stumbled across el toro website my three children where raised there in base housing for about three years back in the late 80's last year 1989 wow can't believe there is still people that remember what a small world

  By  steveo, at December 30, 2007 1:25 PM  

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• Just to let you know-for those whoe were born at Norco Naval Station: it is now a Womans Correction Facility!

  By  Anonymous, at December 30, 2007 10:32 PM  

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• Memories of MCAS El Toro so many
  I arrived at El Toro in 1060 I remember driving up the freeway and seeing that large Golden Wing I had arrived at the 3rd MC Air wing. I spent 12 years at El Toro
  from 1976 to 1984 our family lived on base at 171 connor ave at the top of T-Street. Our children played baseball, attained the El Toro elementary school on trabuco at that time. Today our children are members of the El Toro base kids, they had a reunion last july
  It was a sad day when they closed our base,however they will have a museum we will be remembered.

  By  Rick, at January 26, 2008 1:36 PM  

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• I was on base housing from approx 72-75 and from 78-82. One of the first kids in the MGM program- anyone out there remember the MacDonalds bus to Sea World? I was around for the jet crash also (I think I was in 4th or 5th grade) Anyone remember hearing the race cars from Orange COunty Raceway late at night? And the night or two after the air show there would be plane after plane taking off late into the night. The howling and yipping of the coyotes outside your bedroom window? Many, many good times. Robert Haugan

  By  Anonymous, at January 26, 2008 5:51 PM  

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• What memories. I too was born at the corona naval base. At that time by family lived in "Namar". Remember that housing area? It was the years we lived in Wherry housing in the late 60's to early 70"s that were the best, the wonder years. I remember riding the base bus from housing onto the base. It took us anywhere we wanted to go. I remember hanging out with friends that lived on Midway pl/dr. I know it went in a circle. Sitting on the wall on the corner of Inchon and getting harrassed by the MP's for doing so. Walking thru the ditch, walking downhill to get the school bus. Split sessions with Mission Viejo and University High Schools. Remember the orange trees? So many friends, so many memories. I can still remember the names of all the kids that lived there. Remember arm forces nights at Disneyland? Going to special services to get the tickets. How about the picnic area on base where units thru the parties. I remember the movie theater. I remember when the new base exchange opemed. I still remember the old one. Walking to the mag store at the back gate. How about the gas station there. Wow. Like it was yesterday. Thanks for the memories. Oh yes, and remember when president Nixon would land there. If only we could go back to those times. Donna Sylvers

  By  d sylvers, at January 26, 2008 9:17 PM  

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• The 1970s jet crash? Wow, I am in good company!!! I also remember the jet crash vividly. I lived on 120 Johnson Lane and lived on base from 1974 to 1977. I can’t remember if I was in 5th or 6th grade (Mr. Farazzi or Mr. Kerstings class) during the crash period. I was a very shy and withdrawal child growing up and usually only had one good friend. That particular day I was with a close girlfriend and we were strolling in the huge back field of the school quite close to the stables and grazing horses just talking. During our stroll, we noticed a low flying jet and saw it sweep near the school and off near the base housing circling back, possibly out of control. Undaunted, we headed back to the school grounds at which point school staff were busily rounding up students and recess ended abruptly. Then I remember hearing the noise of the jet and looked back and before my eyes I saw this jet literally nose dive into the ground and a huge fire ball appeared with a deafening boom. I had never seen anything like it in my life. That image is forever etched in my memory. I have thought of the experience often and shared the experience with others through the years. I did hear that one horse had died and some people on the ground in cars were injured by falling debris. At the time I didn’t know that the pilots had ejected from the plane, but this was the case. I don’t recall people dying, but I think there was rumor that a pregnant woman was injured in a car. The days following I remember traveling along the road were the incident happened and saw the burn marks on the grass and concrete areas. I have tons of lighthearted childhood memories living on the El Toro Marine Base. I attended El Toro Marine Elementary school from 4th grade to 6th and 7th grade at Rancho Junior High from 1974 to 1977. I remember walking to school and often times climbing a nearby grassy hill and running as fast as we could down the other side in a frenzy while kicking up a trail of dust behind us which the kids named “the roller coaster”. I remember always hearing rattlesnakes in the tall grass so close to the trails but never saw a live one nor did we fear we were in any danger. At the bottom of the hill we crossed some farm lands and walked past the stables were often times I fed the horses apples or carrots from my lunch either going to school or coming back. I fantasized that one of the horses was my very own and named him “Freddy.” I spent a lot of time next to the fence with this particular horse. I remember playing in the drainage ditches and catching tad poles, and so on. I remember skating with my new white boot outdoor skates on the many winding sidewalks all the way to the vacant basketball court in the dead of winter and pretending I was ice skating. Later, I remember skateboarding on these same winding sidewalks. I also remember stealing oranges from a nearby grove periodically as a childhood prank. The good ole’ days. – Barb Ursini, 44 years old.

  By  Barb Ursini, at January 27, 2008 8:49 AM  

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• Hey Melissa... I too was a Stable Brat during the Mrs. Carr and Mrs Belcher era along with my little sis Michelle.. and we spent every minute we could at the stables riding my horses. What years were you there? I used to ride a horse named Banner and my horse was Henry which I bought from Chris and Marley!
  
  Any chance you remember Lydia Couch, Linda Chapman, the Janis girls, Mary Stavros or Ci-Ci? We are trying to plan a Stables Re-union dinner and trying to find as many "stable rats" as we can to get together sometime in February!
  
  Hope you see this post!
  
  Barb Linder (Turley)

  By  Anonymous, at January 27, 2008 5:15 PM  

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• Melissa Thompson I spent all those memories with you. It's Michelle Turley. My sister Barbara and I rode at the stables for many years. I was in the friday night lessons with you and remember the jets going over in the middle of class. I remember our summers together at the pool and with the horses. Riding in the horse shows and playing in the play days. And of coarse Mrs. Carr, She was such amazing woman. I think of her often. My sister is in contact with Lydia, Chris, Marley & Mary. She is going to be having a reunion with them next month. What a great childhood we had. I am so blessed that I was an El Toro Base kid. It is really exciting to beable to reconnect with my childhood. I never thought I would see or hear from anyone again. So many amazing memories of a time and place that seemed lost forever. Melissa when you get this message email me at
  Acu4harmony@aol.com My sister and I would love to hear how you and your sister Heather are doing. Michelle

  By  Acu4harmony, at January 27, 2008 7:57 PM  

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• I arrived at El Toro (MABS-37) in 1960 I remember driving up the freeway from CAMP Matthews and seeing those big Golden wings. I was at El Toro and (LTA) til 1963.
  Then returned in 1976 with my wife and three children.We lived on base at 171 connor at the top of T-street.and now we where part of a very special community.Our youngest attented El Toro Elementary and our oldest at University high. We saw a lot of Air Shows, baseball and today so many memories. Our chidren are part of The El Toro Base Kids. We retired in 1984 with MWSG-37 WTS-37 Soon we'll have a Great Park,I know that El Toro, and those that served both Military and the families will be remember in the El Toro Military museum (Legacy Project)
  Semper Fi
  MSgt R.M Barbee

  By  Rick, at February 03, 2008 5:27 PM  

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• Hi Barb Ursini, I think I remember you. I am Denise Musser we walked to school together. I lived on base from 1973-1976. E-mail me.
  croaker39@sbcglobal.net

  By  croaker39, at February 05, 2008 7:13 PM  

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• Hi El Toro Kids 1973-1975,
  The Musser Bratz here Amber, Denise & Bryan.
  I had many memories of the stables,
  the paper weight that sat on the sign in desk, that came out of a horses stomach.
  But the best is, me (Amber) and a few friends, like idiots, walking across the air strip on the base to get to the movies faster. We didn't see any planes coming in! Oh, they come in really fast? Well, after the MPs took us up to the control tower and called parents/my Dad, I didn't think I would ever see the light of day again,.... or be able to sit down.
  Why aren't any of the bratz signing in for classmates.com and sign up for the el toro military school community. MGM mentally gifted minors. My Sis Denise was in MGM and has never let us forget it.

  By  Amber, at February 05, 2008 9:29 PM  

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• El Toro kids circa 1954
  Looking for the Fasano kid(s). Their dad was a lt. in the legal office at the time.
  Email christy_brown@hotmail.com if anyone has information. Thank you

  By  Anonymous, at February 13, 2008 10:47 AM  

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• So Berkeley thinks they're making a real impact against the Marine Corps by telling them they are "not welcome", along with issuing a parking permit for Code Pink to protest the local recruiting office. At the worst, they are making things inconvenient for maybe a couple of recruiters.
  
  However, they got nothing on the hometown of another UC Campus, The City of Irvine, which has has screwed over thousands of Marines and veterans! Within that city's limits is the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. Irvine successfully managed to rebuff a group of veterans that were lobbying the Navy to re-open the commissary, and set aside the 1200 plus existing units of housing for local Marine families on the waiting list at Camp Pendleton.
  
  Irvine wanted control of that valuable real estate so badly that they even resorted to having hired goon "Colonel" Tom O'Malley from the local anti-airport NIMBY coalition (aka El Toro Reuse Planning Authority) threaten one of the veteran leaders with violence.
  
  So top that Berkeley and Code Pink!
  ===================
  
  Seriously Irvine should be boycotted. They have screwed the Marines far worse than Berkeley could ever dream of!

  By  Anonymous, at February 23, 2008 5:54 PM  

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• I arrived at MCAS El Toro May of 1977. I was assigned to WTS-37. Being a Georgia boy the entire place was interesting and a change. I lived in a barracks building next to the mess hall. Made a lot of friends who I still have found memories of. I was quite shocked to learn of BRAC closing MCAS El Toro. I hope this Great Park Project goes well and provides a great facility for the locals. A lot of history and many lives were touched at this place.
  Lance Corporal R Hogue

  By  Anonymous, at March 08, 2008 9:55 PM  

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• It's so awesome to know I'm not the only one who loved my stay at El Toro MCAS. My father was stationed there from '78 to '88. I was born there in '80 and left in late '88 when my dad retired. We lived on Midway Place first & later moved to Trabuco Road. I remember going to the seven day store for candy and going to see the airshows. I still recall the plane crash in '85 that hit our chapel. I remember riding my big wheel down the long driveway where all the garages were connected to each other. I remember feeling like the PX was the greatest show on earth with all the different sights and sounds. My brother & me were bused to Vista Verde Elementary in Irvine. Those were the best years of my life!

  By  Sarah F. in NJ, at March 13, 2008 1:52 PM  

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• (03/19/2008) Wow! Thank you so much for this web forum! I have found a long lost childhood friend that left a message for me. I am going to quickly email a reply and reconnect with Denise Musser. More El Toro memories to relive!! Blessings all!!! -- Barb Ursini, beearrry@aol.com

  By  Barb Ursini, at March 19, 2008 11:51 AM  

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• Today I was looking at Mapquest to see my old neighborhood in Oceanside when my dad was stationed at Pendleton. I then remembered the name "Namar Housing" and found this site. Wow, so many memories. I went to Irvine school for Kindergarten around 1955. I had Mrs. Headberg and I lived for awhile on the base, next door to Chicky. And for awhile at Tustin Apartments. The memories flow back and forth between those two living locations and schools, because for first grade I had Mrs. Curtis at a different school in Tustin. Later, in Oceanside, I attended Ditmar Elementary for first grade (also) and N. Oceanside Elementary for second, for which I had Mrs. Major. I remember from Oceanside, Kelly, Denise, Bonnie Blankenhorn, and Cecelia, or was it Celia, whose father was killed in Nam by jumping on a land mine. We were so young then, and it just didn't register. Then my dad got out and we moved to Ohio. If anyone remembers Debbie McQueen please email me at dlmh@embarqmail.com

  By  Anonymous, at March 30, 2008 10:16 PM  

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• Hey, this is a wonderful site. My family actually lived in the area a couple of times. In late 1969, we left Memphis and moved to Borchard Drive in Santa Ana. My dad was stationed at EL Toro. Were were only there for a few months into 1970 when Dad was sent to Viet Nam for his second tour and my Mom, baby brother and I went back to live with My Mom's family in Illinois. We returned to Santa Ana in 1971. In 1972, we moved into base housing on El Toro. We lived at 15513 Wake Ave until 1974 when Dad was sent to Okinawa, Japan. I'm trying to piece my early school days together right now, which is hard when you move around as much as many of us did. But I remember when I was in the first grade, it was in a big building they called the BeeHive. I'm not sure if that was in Santa Ana or on El Toro. My teacher was Mrs. Daly. Our house on base backed up to the mountains. We would regularly get rattlesnakes and scorpions in our yard. We had a garden out back and I remember having fresh carrots and parsnips and tomatoes all the time. My brother and I were in the YMCA Indian Guides program in the Cahuilla Tribe. We had a teepee in our back yard and a totem pole. My Dad had a Yamaha motorcycle he'd bough while overseas and he take me for rides up in the mountains. Once we tried to jump a cactus patch and wrecked, falling into the cactus. Dad pulled all the thorns out of me and told me not to tell my Mom. I think this is the first time I've ever said anything about that. I remember the Santa Ana winds fondly because as a skinny little kid, you could lean into them and the wind would hold you up. We would often lay in a line on the playground and let big tumbleweeds blow over us. Up the street from our house on Wake Ave was Bouganville street which was a huge hill. We would often ride our bikes down it hoping no traffic was coming at the intersections because you got to going so fast it was hard to stop. When the skateboarding craze really got going, all my friends had skateboards and we would race down Bouganville hill. Once I was wearing bell bottom jeans and the bottom seam got caught in the skateboard wheel and the board stopped. I of course went flying and landed on my face, knocking out 2 teeth and had to get stitches. We spent weekends at the theme parks or at Laguna and Newport beaches. We loved Knotts Berry Farm especially but my brother and I would go to the beach over the theme parks anytime. I remember watching old men playing bocce Ball I think at Newport Beach. My brother almost drowned at Laguna when he got caught in an undertow. In 1974, Dad was sent to Japan and the rest of the family moved back to Illinois to wait for him. Afterwards we got transferred to Cherry Point MCAS in NC.
  
  Thanks for this wonderful site and bringing back the memories.

  By  Mark, at April 03, 2008 4:16 PM  

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• Wow, what a great website. I was a Marine Brat stationed at MCAS El Toro from '83 to '91. Many of my fondest memories as an impressionable young child were skateboarding all over the base similar to Sean Astin in the TV Disney movie, "BRAT Patrol." or running rampant all over the officer housing area playing laser tag. Like many of the people who posted here, I too went to El Toro Marine School but transfered after my 4th grade year to Vista Verde and then onto Irvine High. To this day I can't say I never felt more safe than living inside the gates of El Toro. Later, from '94 to '97 I returned to El Toro when I was stationed at Camp Pendleton to visit with fellow Marines, friends from school or simply drive by my old house inside the main gate. Today, I still refer to El Toro as home even though my house at 5131 E street no longer stands. In '03 I went back to El Toro one last time and video taped my old stomping grounds before the base was sold at auction. I have to admit as odd as it may seem, anytime I hear the song by Madonna, "This Use To Be My Playground," I often find myself thinking back to those years when life as a child was so perfect, my idols were my next door neighbors(fixed and rotor wing pilots), my summers were spent at the pool, and the PX was my stomping ground. I will never forget El Toro and all of the great Marines and families I met. To all the Marines and their families who served and Lived at El Toro, Semper Fi - Jeremy

  By  Anonymous, at April 18, 2008 3:16 PM  

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• Hello fellow bratz!! My name is Carmella Callahan and we lived on the base early in the 70's and again 88'-90'.. Great times but why i decided to post was beacause I am a member of the base kids and I wanted to give ya'll the address and see how many more friends you can find. We have I believe 200 or so members and growing on a daily basis so here it is and come join just sign up and wait to be accepted and then you are in: ElToroBaseKids@yahoogroups.com

  By  carmella, at April 21, 2008 5:16 PM  

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• Amber Musser,
  I am not sure if you are the Amber Musser that went to school with my older sisters. Susan was the oldest,and alittle wild.Brenda was alittle shy and the middle one.I'm lisa and the youngest of us so i don't remember much.After all these years i still remember some names and you are one. Our last name was wood.We lived @ 10411 Wake Ave.We left in 1977 i think?
  A few other names i remember is:Mike Stonestreet the Monahan family ,Walker family just some of the older kids that were friends with my sisters.Are you the Amber Musser i was thinking of?
  God Bless You
  Lisa Wood(Edwards)

  By  Lisa Wood, at May 11, 2008 9:00 AM  

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• I was stationed at El Toro from 1973 until 1977.I was also there when that A4 from MAG13 was flying around with no pilot. It was right around lunch time and they sounded an alarm. It ended up crashing at the end of the runway right on the PT field track close to the curve. THey told us it was a Corporal in th back seat. I live in Texas and go to see the El Toro site every year in Feb.

  By  Ron Vera, at May 21, 2008 8:38 PM  

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• I was a L/Clp Station in MCAS,El Toro back in 11/1976,Motor-T WTS-37
  One accident I remember was a
  disturb Marine that wanted to jump off from the red and white water
  tower,it was around chow time,thank
  god he did'nt.Any veterans Marines
  remember back then. Semper-Fi Bros.

  By  Raul Contreras Sr., at June 26, 2008 5:58 PM  

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• I was statined at MCAS El Toro between 1980 & 1982. I was attached to WTS (Wing Transportation Squadren) 37. I meet my wife at the Rib Rack Bar & Grill in Mission Veijo in 1981. We were married in Trabuco Canyon. I have many good memories of El Toro MCAS. It was a sad day when it closed.
  
  
  GySgt William L Sabin USMC/Ret.

  By  GySgt William Sabin USMC/Ret, at July 12, 2008 5:30 PM  

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• I was stationed at MCAS El Toro as an MP from from Dec 88- May 91. It was my first duty station. Great memories, good times. I have some pics I took then, and some others took if anyone's interested. email me. bmgilley35@yahoo.com.

  By  Anonymous, at July 12, 2008 5:41 PM  

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• Wow! I am reading all theese great comments about El Toro! Where was I! Another El Toro perhaps!

  By  Anonymous, at July 16, 2008 8:32 AM  

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• I too remember growing up a MCAS El Toro. We lived in officer housing from 1960 -62. Our home was the first house to the right of the main gate right next to the generals homes. I often visited my friend to lived in the Irvine Company farm worker house just outside the gate. We had dug a hole under the fence to go back and forth. I attended elementary school at San Juan school in the town of Irvine.
  Gary
  La Grande, OR

  By  Anonymous, at July 27, 2008 5:41 AM  

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• This is pretty cool. I think it might not be so cool if you didn't actually live on base as I did from 1957-1959 and later in 1962 to 1965. My dad was a pilot with VMFA-314 until his ejection where he was blinded in one eye in '59. We lived, as my memory recalls, on Inchon Place in Wherry Park officer housing. As someone else earlier wrote, at the base of a reservoir. I have many great memories as a young boy riding horses at the stables, exploring the big gravel pit or whatever that was, shooting arrows straight up into the sky, yikes! My parents bought our first house finally in Laguna Niguel where we lived shortly before dad getting oders to Cherry Point, NC. We were bummed out about that but found it to be another great place. After 4 years we came back to El Toro. Living off base was different. My dad took my brother and I to the great woodworking shop a couple of times. What an awesome place. We also practiced judo at the base gym judo club. How about 10 cent movies at the theater. We almost had a cardiac when they more than doubled in price to a whopping .25 cents! My brother and I also learned how to polish stones at the base hobbyshop/lapidary shop. I also learned how to make ceramic castings with my mom at the ceramic hobbyshop on base. I eventually went and got my bachelors in fine arts, and now I am a professional artist/potter. I along with my sister and brother have great memories of base living and especially of life at El Toro. We would love to hear from any that were there around our time. I remember a few kids from El toro Marine School in kindergarten, Mrs. Smith's class, Tranna and in 1st and 2nd grade Carla. I remeber the older boys in 4th and 5th grade at recess play there air guitars and mimic the Beatles and the girls scream and go crazy over them. Also I remeber the principal, Mr. Henry, chasing the boys squirting everyone with the sprinklers with his belt trying to swat them. Those were the days.
  Craig

  By  Craig F., at July 29, 2008 12:47 PM  

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• Carmella Callahan, my next door neighbor! WOW! Get back to me some how, some way, my e-mail is karrasmith@ochca.com or
  my2babeska@yahoo.com! Love to hear from you and lots of love to you and your family! Whenever I hear of a quincianera I still think about how much fun we had dancing and other things! That was and still is the best darn party I've ever been too! Many memories of baseball, wiffle ball in our back yard(it was huge by the circle park) Broken windows from balls flying through them, riding bikes through the tunnel from officer housing to the general store! Stables, school, and the community itself! It's so sad to drive by there and see El Toro almost gone! No more orange groves between the base and Irvine. No more air shows!All my other base kids/brat friends from Iwo Jima to Connor and T-Street hi to you, Rachel G, Glenn E, Mike D, Catrina P, Stephanie G, Adriana P, Vivian, Christina A, Eddie M, Chad, Ray, Mikey, Aaron G., Michael B, anyone I've missed and to all our baseball buddies who played with my brother Bobby and I! 1979-1991 Kathy

  By  k arrasmith, at July 30, 2008 3:55 PM  

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• I was stationed at El Toro from 1974 to 1976. It was such a beautiful place. Ended up making a career of the Marines, largely due to reenlisting there and having a great time. I was sad to see the place de-commissioned, but at least they kept it from becoming an airport.

  By  Anonymous, at August 03, 2008 2:29 PM  

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• Lisa Wood!
  I didn't think anyone would ever remember me. I have tried many times to find your Sister Brenda. Where did you all end up. Do you remember which Monahans? Tracy or Kelly. Kelly was killed in a car accident in Wisconsin 8 months after her family moved back to Wisconsin. How old were you Lisa? amberrwinter@msn.com Tell me more!
  Amber(Musser)Winter

  By  Amber, at September 03, 2008 6:21 AM  

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• Amazing what a google search will uncover! Great memories of El Toro MCAS are brought to mind here. My husband was a radar tech on the TPQ10 and the UPS1. We lived in the NAMAR Housing area(don't recall the address). As I understood they were referbished WWII barracks. I believe it. I loved the stables and spent many hours with the horses. I remember the smell of the oranges in the wind. I also remember the Phantoms revving up their engins in the early mornings. The crash in the hills in 1965 was something I won't forget...all men pulled duty to handle the hillside. The men were as serious as I've ever seen them. My first born son was born at St. Joseph's in Orange because we didn't have facilities for birthing. One of our neighbors had a pet raccoon which was often put on a long chain and attached to the wire cloths lines between the poles. Friendly little critter too! Times have passed. My second to the youngest is now a tanker in the Army in Baghdad and I listen to tanks instead of jets. Still big noises. Thanks to you all for your rememberances.

  By  Anonymous, at September 09, 2008 7:50 PM  

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