Home / Base Closing / MCAS El Toro ) Farwell MCAS El Toro
By Marc "Devil Dog Of The Web" Iseli / Updated Dec. 2025 MCAS El Toro finally got the axe in July 1999, closing the book on Marine aviation’s West Coast stomping grounds. The place had been cranking since 1943, pumping out jet noise and bad chow for 56 years before the BRAC wizards decided we didn’t need it anymore. July 2, 1999, was the day the lights went out and the last Marine locked the gate. The 3rd MAW packed up their gear and got shipped down to Miramar, probably still trying to figure out where the head is. Not to be outdone, the FAA swooped in and yanked El Toro’s Class C airspace in early 2000, downgrading it to Class E, because nothing says 'mission complete' like paperwork and a new airspace label. After the last Marine locked the gate, the locals started fighting over the place like it was the last slice of pizza at the O Club. Some wanted to turn it into LAX Junior, others wanted a giant park. In 2002, the voters decided on the so-called 'Great Park', because apparently, 'Mediocre Park' didn’t have the same ring. The Navy offloaded most of the land to Lennar for a cool $650 million, and now about 1,300 acres are set aside for the park, with the rest earmarked for houses and strip malls. Progress, right? "Whatever you put there, one thing is certain," said the last commanding officer, Col. Stephen Mugg. "Orange County is never going to have a better neighbor than us."
 FlashForward 2000s Visit My Photo Album Photos of MCAS El Toro abandoned. Alright, you glorious Rat Phixers and Phlyers, if we ever survived a TAD, a Det, or a BOHICA, who haven't, and you didn’t think I was the biggest gaff off in the squadron. Got a sea story, or some grainy photos your ex didn’t set on fire, and they’re only slightly illegal? Send ‘em by email, snail mail, or safety wire it to a carrier pigeon. I collect ‘em all, just nothing that would incriminate me. 80svmfp3@gmail.com Return To The Home Page  |
)
)
)
)
2025-26 VMFP-3 80s Flashback Web Site Trademark of Phabulous Phantom Productions; All rights reserved.