tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78369324659730783702024-03-07T21:59:54.918-08:00MCAS El ToroMCAS El Torohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202617525846055127noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836932465973078370.post-4454667829520336332008-10-04T17:47:00.000-07:002008-10-11T21:59:00.590-07:00El Toro Then & Now: Hangar 244<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/2912974932_d7bbdc3c56_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 454px; height: 228px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/2912974932_d7bbdc3c56_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Historic photo of Hangar 244 taken with the VMF-314 Bob's Cats squadron posing in front. Two period fighter jets flank both sides of the photo. This was most likely taken around 1945/46.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Photo courtesy of the Tom O'Hara Collection/Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum)</span></span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/2912886389/" title="El Toro Then & Now: Hangar 244 - 10/04/08 02 by MCAS El Toro, on Flickr"><img style="width: 565px; height: 364px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/2912886389_75f5d61ef4_o.jpg" alt="El Toro Then & Now: Hangar 244 - 10/04/08 02" /></a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Current photo of Hangar 244.</span><br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">11 October 2008: Well we're back after a longer-than-expected break. So far all the El Toro base pictures featured here have been taken within the last few years. However the story of MCAS El Toro cannot be fully told without including some snapshots from the past. So today we're unveiling the first of an ongoing series called "El Toro Then & Now". As the name suggests, we're going to feature historic shots of the base and compare them with current-day photos.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">(Please <a href="mailto:wakmasteraaron@yahoo.com">contact us </a>if you have any pre-1999 photos of El Toro that you would like to share!)<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/2912886405/" title="El Toro Then & Now: Hangar 244 - 10/04/08 04 by MCAS El Toro, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/2912886405_f9542375c0.jpg" alt="El Toro Then & Now: Hangar 244 - 10/04/08 04" height="375" width="500" /></a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Current interior photo of Hangar 244</span><br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Our series begins with Hangar 244. Located on the south-western part of the base off Marine Way, this Hangar was built in 1942 and was part of El Toro's original buildings that were first constructed on the base. This wooden hangar was one of many that housed fighter aircraft between WWII and the Vietnam War.<br /><br />After many decades of service, Hangar 244 had become obsolete by the 1980's. More modern concrete hangars started to displace the older WWII era hangars on the base. At the turn of the 1980's three veterans (Brig. Gen. Jay Hubbard, Harry Gann and Tom. J. Dozier) got together to form a group that would help preserve and commemorate the important history at MCAS El Toro. After much time spent organizing the trio officially founded the The Marine Corps Air Station El Toro Historical Foundation in June 1989.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.vaq136.com/eltoro/eltoro-076b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.vaq136.com/eltoro/eltoro-076b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Hangar 244 housing an F4F-3 Wildcat on display during its time as a museum<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.vaq136.com/">MidwaySailor/VAQ-136 Gauntlets</a>)</span></span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br />The foundation grew to support its own on-base museum named the MCAS El Toro Command Museum at the turn of the 1990's. Hangar 244 was given new life and was converted into a showroom for part of the museum, displaying military exhibits and used as a storage for museum artifacts and supplies. The museum was one of only two official USMC command museums.<br /><br />Eventually the displays were transferred to the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum at MCAS Miramar as base closure became eminent. The museum continued to operate until El Toro closed in 1999. Hangar 244 lay vacant until 2007 when the City of Irvine began to refurbish the historic structure as part of the base redevelopment. Plans currently call for preserving the hangar and re-establishing a military museum.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/2912886397/" title="El Toro Then & Now: Hangar 244 - 10/04/08 03 by MCAS El Toro, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/2912886397_55424e1b6f.jpg" alt="El Toro Then & Now: Hangar 244 - 10/04/08 03" height="145" width="500" /></a></span><br /></div>MCAS El Torohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202617525846055127noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836932465973078370.post-64493226944429690192008-05-05T07:43:00.000-07:002008-05-05T08:03:31.797-07:00El Toro by Air<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/2466022573_b4337474ee.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/2466022573_b4337474ee.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">05 May 2008: Today we thought we'd try something new and take some aerial pictures of the El Toro Marine Base. We recently took a short flight overhead the base and got to see a whole different perspective of El Toro. Our Marine fighter pilots must have had a similar view while flying overhead.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/2467298941/" title="El Toro by Air - 01/12/08 01 by MCAS El Toro, on Flickr"><img style="width: 810px; height: 514px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/2467298941_4f8496d9e9_b.jpg" alt="El Toro by Air - 01/12/08 01" /></a><br /><br />Above you can see a majestic view of MCAS El Toro nestled beneath the Santa Ana Mountains in the foreground, with the snow-capped Angeles Mountains seen in the background. This photograph is looking to the northwest, showing the mainside El Toro area below.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/2466022577/" title="El Toro by Air - 01/12/08 03 by MCAS El Toro, on Flickr"><img style="width: 529px; height: 177px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2466022577_81417960d9_o.jpg" alt="El Toro by Air - 01/12/08 03" /></a><br /><br />Here is the same picture above, but with a close-up on the base. You can see the Main Gate to the left and Trabuco Rd. coming across the picture through the Base HQ in the below-center. The barracks, PX, and other service buildings are shown in the upper part of the picture.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/2466022581/" title="El Toro by Air - 01/12/08 04 by MCAS El Toro, on Flickr"><img style="width: 668px; height: 221px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3167/2466022581_8894fb4ec8_o.jpg" alt="El Toro by Air - 01/12/08 04" /></a><br /><br />You may have forgotten which building is which, well don't worry, we've taken the liberty to identify some of the buildings in the picture. As you can see from these photographs, El Toro has changed quite a bit; however many of the base's important and historic landmarks are still present.<br />[Note: <span style="font-style: italic;">Make sure to click on the pictures if you would like to see them in a larger size</span>]<br /><br /></span>MCAS El Torohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202617525846055127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836932465973078370.post-80888227334576691872008-04-26T22:38:00.000-07:002008-04-26T22:44:11.738-07:00Happy Spring!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/2444252857/" title="Happy Spring! - 04/26/08 by MCAS El Toro, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2444252857_9a8acddc56.jpg" alt="Happy Spring! - 04/26/08" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">26 April 2008: Bright red flowers welcomes spring time at the old El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. However record temperatures throughout this month and a lack of rain will likely return vegetation back to its yellow/brown self.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 85%;">[Note: This pictures was taken at the Irvine Amtrak train station, facing the Naval Supply Area section of MCAS El Toro, looking north. The building seen in background is Bldg. 800, the former home of the Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 (MWSS 373).]</span>MCAS El Torohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202617525846055127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836932465973078370.post-91710234089353312972008-03-01T13:31:00.000-08:002008-03-06T13:39:57.025-08:00After the Storm Has Cleared<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2163/2303129856_a2f4f1c0f1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 432px; height: 250px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2163/2303129856_a2f4f1c0f1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">01 March 2008</span>: After several weeks of on-and-off rain throughout Southern California, the former El Toro Base finally gets a bit of relief. Remnants of the recent rainstorms have been reduced to small puddles behind a vacant building #800. As mentioned earlier, the recent rain has brightened things up with lively green grass and other plants. As we enter the month of March we can begin to look forward to the arrival of Spring.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2123/2303121262_01b51de9ec_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 439px; height: 222px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2123/2303121262_01b51de9ec_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >[Note: These pictures were taken at the Naval Supply Area section of MCAS El Toro, adjacent to the railroad tracks. The building seen in both pictures is Bldg. 800, the former home of the Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 (MWSS 373).]</span>MCAS El Torohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202617525846055127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836932465973078370.post-51377899326857836872008-01-28T16:25:00.000-08:002008-02-10T16:41:08.482-08:00Winter Storms<a style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2265/2256541950_bbb0678d7a_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 621px; height: 236px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2265/2256541950_bbb0678d7a_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">28 January 2008: After a record drought season in 2007, Southern California started the new year by exceeding last year's entire rainfall amount (with the help of three consecutive rain storms). As you may have guessed, MCAS El Toro is thoroughly drenched from the constant pounding of rain. The above picture gives you an idea of nearby weather conditions as you approach the main gate.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/2256541952/" title="Winter Storms - 01/28/08 02 by MCAS El Toro, on Flickr"><img style="width: 456px; height: 373px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2332/2256541952_e3341a3b72_o.jpg" alt="Winter Storms - 01/28/08 02" /></a><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">As you pass the gentry shack and reach the stop sign, you can immediately notice just how soaked the streets are. The continual storms did not allow for much of the water from the early storms to evaporate. Below you can take a look at the storm's dark rain clouds brewing above the base Child Development Center (left hand side), the Marine Exchange (straight ahead), and the barracks (right hand side). The raindrop down the middle of the photo attests to ongoing downpour.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/2256541960/" title="Winter Storms - 01/28/08 03 by MCAS El Toro, on Flickr"><img style="width: 512px; height: 271px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2214/2256541960_08033742f1_o.jpg" alt="Winter Storms - 01/28/08 03" /></a></div>MCAS El Torohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202617525846055127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836932465973078370.post-61482910704533256012008-01-02T20:22:00.000-08:002008-01-29T20:47:48.646-08:00The Grass is Greener<a style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/2229419351_b30e7d744c_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 607px; height: 345px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/2229419351_b30e7d744c_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">2 January 2008: It's a brand new year and the landscape is beginning to look very alive. For most of 2007, MCAS El Toro was surrounded by yellowish-brown grass, shrubs, weeds, and dirt, due in part to the Southern California drought. Since the Marines turned off the sprinklers in 1999, the grounds on the base have been badly neglected. However today for the first time in a long time, the ground wasn't such an eye sore as vivid green grass peppered the area. Winter rainstorms over the Holidays brought the area much needed water in what was one of the worst droughts in recent time.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/2229419353/" title="The Grass is Greener - 01/02/08 02 by MCAS El Toro, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2065/2229419353_5103da943b.jpg" width="500" height="224" alt="The Grass is Greener - 01/02/08 02" /></a></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br />These pictures of the base attest to the recent wet weather. You can see a nice view of the brick 1950's-era barracks, and just behind it, the new and modern looking "Castle" barracks. In the other picture, you can see a view of E Street with the base chapel in the background, and in the right side of foreground, two columns from the base gas station stand alone.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/2229419359/" title="The Grass is Greener - 01/02/08 03 by MCAS El Toro, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2334/2229419359_f72b1cdba3.jpg" width="500" height="238" alt="The Grass is Greener - 01/02/08 03" /></a></span>MCAS El Torohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202617525846055127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836932465973078370.post-68968565802085684432007-11-15T11:28:00.000-08:002007-12-07T11:40:23.887-08:00Fire at El Toro Base (Part 2)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2177/2093232963_93f9c36e60_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 484px; height: 362px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2177/2093232963_93f9c36e60_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">15 November 2007: It has been little over a month since the Santiago Canyon Wildfires torched the northern property of the former MCAS El Toro and Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) return back to the base--no need to afraid--this time the fire was planned by firefighter officials. The ATM annex building of the Marine Exchange was the location of a controlled fire and a mock rescue operation. Just outside the building, you can notice another rescue operation of a simulated car crash. The rubble of the Base Commissary can be seen in the far left background and the Marine Exchange is located off to the right.</span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/2093232969/" title="Fire at El Toro Base Part 2 - 11/15/07 02 by MCAS El Toro, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2336/2093232969_aa88d8a27b.jpg" alt="Fire at El Toro Base Part 2 - 11/15/07 02" height="375" width="500" /></a>MCAS El Torohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202617525846055127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836932465973078370.post-77492371058365742902007-10-22T19:01:00.001-07:002007-10-22T19:22:48.943-07:00Santiago Canyon Wildfire vs. MCAS El Toro<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2410/1700131715_614c395298_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 560px; height: 271px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2410/1700131715_614c395298_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">22 October 2007: On Sunday evening the nearby hills of Santiago Canyon became the latest <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/news/fire-firefighters-irvine-1901405-morning-day">victim</a> to fire, adding to the already mounting number of wildfires throughout Southern California. El Toro Base is situated no less than five miles from the burning carnage. The sky was painted with orange, gray, and brown as smoke loomed overhead. Gusty winds and ash particulates which made the air difficult to breathe forced the city to shut down the base on Monday. All operations were closed for the day (which include Montessori Daycare, Lennar/Great Park offices, All-Star RV Storage, Cal State Fullerton (CSUF) extension classes, and base demolition). I believe this was the first time the entire base was shut down since it first re-opened to the public back in 2000/01.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/1700131739/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2008/1700131739_39e54d7027.jpg" alt="Santiago Canyon Wildfire vs. MCAS El Toro - 10/22/07 01" height="298" width="500" /></a><object height="355" width="425"><br /><br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qrMyj6iwJYY"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qrMyj6iwJYY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /></object></span>MCAS El Torohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202617525846055127noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836932465973078370.post-25877808844880773022007-10-20T08:52:00.001-07:002007-10-20T09:27:31.486-07:00Aviation Training Pool<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2175/1655402761_253bc08760.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2175/1655402761_253bc08760.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/1655402799_793fb86238.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/1655402799_793fb86238.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">20 October 2007: I thought we'd do something a little different this time. The previous posts have been about current changes and happenings on the old El Toro Marine base. But once in a while it would be nice to post older photographs that have been taken around the base--ok, not <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> old, but pictures that capture how the base look before demolition.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/1655402841/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2313/1655402841_657902ab14.jpg" alt="Aviation Training Pool - 7/10/07 - 05" height="184" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/1655402807/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2271/1655402807_fbdffc65c1.jpg" alt="Aviation Training Pool - 7/10/07 - 03" height="375" width="500" /></a><br />Here you'll find photographs of the Aviation Training Pool (Bldg. 639) from different locations. A former Marine stationed at El Toro told me this is probably where aviation personnel practiced how to swim in the event that their plane would crash over a body of water. I initially though Cal State Fullerton (who has an extension campus in some of the old base buildings) was using this building as well because it did not look old and deteriorated. I imagine this was built during the 1980's when MCAS El Toro underwent upgrades and new building construction.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/1655402831/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2323/1655402831_c357e5bbb3.jpg" alt="Aviation Training Pool - 7/10/07 - 04" height="371" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-size:85%;">[Note: These photographs were taken on 10 July 2007 of the indoor Aviation Training Pool building, located just past the Commanding Officer's building and across the street from Communications Building on Trabuco Rd. x Marine Way. As of October 2007 the area has been gated off in preparation for demolition.]</span></span><br /></span></span>MCAS El Torohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202617525846055127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836932465973078370.post-40903268249857867212007-09-25T21:22:00.000-07:002007-10-18T15:28:44.730-07:00El Toro Base Commissary: Checkin' Out (Part 3)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2103/1609343902_0e4ee6113b_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2103/1609343902_0e4ee6113b_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">25 Sept. 2007: Demolition continues at the former El Toro Base Commissary. I've included zoomed in photographs to get a glimpse of the building's interior and a short video clip of the area.<br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bevfYakNTj0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed><br /><br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/1609343844/"><img alt="MCAS El Toro Commissary - 9/25/07 - 01" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2264/1609343844_07f1621100.jpg" height="238" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/1609343868/"><img alt="MCAS El Toro Commissary - 9/25/07 - 02" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/1609343868_c61ae3e020.jpg" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/1609343874/"><img alt="MCAS El Toro Commissary - 9/25/07 - 03" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2205/1609343874_6f8a610597.jpg" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /></span>MCAS El Torohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202617525846055127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836932465973078370.post-73974366047206326402007-09-24T10:16:00.000-07:002007-10-18T15:29:12.782-07:00El Toro Base Commissary: Checkin' Out (Part 2)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2094/1515592573_7344dfbc4c_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 592px; height: 326px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2094/1515592573_7344dfbc4c_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">24 Sept. 2007: I couldn't fathom the sight of the Commissary with a gaping hole. Deep down inside of me I still like to imagine that the Commissary & Marine Exchange will never go away.<br /></span>MCAS El Torohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202617525846055127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836932465973078370.post-77909938634430714752007-09-11T15:35:00.000-07:002007-10-18T15:29:42.282-07:00MCAS El Toro General Housing - Grande Finale<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1116/1479807044_54c9de1733_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 591px; height: 322px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1116/1479807044_54c9de1733_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">11 Sept. 2007</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">: I was taken by surprise on an overcast morning at the former El Toro Marine base as I drove by the old general housing community. I was shocked to see that nearly all the homes and the asphalt + concrete which it stood beneath had all been razed. Note I say "nearly" here because one lone home still stood bravely all along amidst a sea of dirt and rubble (see above).</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">What really took me off guard was just how fast everything was uprooted and demolished. It may have been just a little over two weeks ago when I last passed through and noticed the homes and streets looking only somewhat untouched. As I gazed at the surreal sight on that somber morning, I reminded myself of the 9-11 attacks (which had passed exactly six years ago) and the countless number of Marines and their families that are enduring the two wars that are currently being fought overseas.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/1479807064/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1407/1479807064_53372c4d6b.jpg" alt="MCAS El Toro General Housing - 09/11/07 - 03" height="280" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/1479807052/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1262/1479807052_051b806bac.jpg" alt="MCAS El Toro General Housing - 09/11/07 - 02" height="230" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/1479807070/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1403/1479807070_71bdde37ee.jpg" alt="MCAS El Toro General Housing - 09/11/07 - 04" height="278" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Note: These photos were taken on 09-11-2007 of the El Toro base general housing project, located directly behind the base's commanding officer's office, just to the right of the base's Main Gate entrance. I will try to post some older pictures of the same area to get a better idea of how it looked while it was still there.</span></span>MCAS El Torohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202617525846055127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836932465973078370.post-35273375923317148802007-08-30T08:53:00.000-07:002007-10-18T15:30:19.637-07:00El Toro Base Commissary: Checkin' Out (Part 1)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2154/1515592531_35b17a53e0_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 613px; height: 210px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2154/1515592531_35b17a53e0_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">30 Aug. 2007: Construction crews have been preparing the demolition of the base commissary and exchange in the past months. First the weed and overgrown shrubbery in the surrounding parking lot were mowed. Next, the main entrance of the commissary was knocked open and large appliances were taken out. Although the commissary is being razed as I type this, I thought I'd share the last photographs taken of the building when it was standing.<br /><br />The base commissary and the exchange were the first sights of MCAS El Toro that greeted incoming Marines, their families, and visitors approaching the El Toro main gate. After the base closed in 1999, there was a brief initiative by local veterans to re-open the commissary to help provide discounted goods and services to nearby veterans. The plan failed to gain support from county and state politicians and now the commissary makes its last stand before succumbing to its inevitable fate.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/1515592539/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2396/1515592539_c78274cdc6.jpg" alt="MCAS El Toro Commissary - 8/30/07 - 01" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcas-eltoro/1515592553/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2089/1515592553_9182bf7549.jpg" alt="MCAS El Toro Commissary - 8/30/07 - 02" height="361" width="500" /></a><br /></span>MCAS El Torohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202617525846055127noreply@blogger.com1