Hell Toro- Toxic Marine Base in Irvine 

I was one of the last to leave, after helping relocate the last squadrons before retiring. I was there from Feb '96- July '99 and worked in those highly contaminated bldg # 296 & 297 (that used the luminescent paints for instruments). 2011 B-cell Lymphoma... 2012 Multiple Sclerosis... Gone from cane, to walker, and now wheel chair in 3 yrs without any recognized service connected disability rating... Sick of this game with the VA!

I served VMA-311 from 85-88 and was discharged, Honorably/Medically released due to unexplained migraine headaches. I am now 50 years old and have recently received a small intestine transplant after years of multiple health failures. I have been in a coma, colon removed, small intestine removed, lived on TPN for 18 months (no food, no water by mouth), 1 rib removed, cervical surgery, diskitis, osteomylitis, blood clots, multiple infections, lung collapsed, cardiac invert with electrodes, and deaf in both ears. With no explanation, medically or otherwise to what occurred in my health. One statement always comes to mind that was spoken by one of my surgeons...."It looked like a bomb went off inside of him". Tim Kings report opened a door for me and if I can live long enough to see justice come to all those effected by this chemical catastrophe I will feel more honored in the service I provided to my country. Semper Fi.......

I served from 93-97 and I spent a good amount of time on that base working near the flight line. I worked at MWHS-3. I lived in the housing area near the school house and I remember seeing the green mist late at night. I went on to serve with the Air National Guard until I was diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disorder in 2006 known as Behcet's Syndrome. No one has been able to tell me how or why I developed the disorder but looking at these reports I now think there is a connection there.

Stationed there 1980-1983 & 1988-1991. VMGR 352 & VMFAT 101. Those were fun years in my military career

I was stationed at El Toro for a couple of weeks in Sept. 1964 , before deploying on to West Pac and Viet Nam. Returned to El Toro from Viet Nam in Oct. 1965. Stationed at Camp Lejeune, on and off, for about 3 years between 1960 and 1966. I have been diagnosed with a very rare Blood Cancer ( Polycythemia Vera ) which was acquired not inherited. That's my story and I'm sticking to it !!!

My friend was marine stationed at El Toro in the early 70's he said they dumped all kinds of stuff in barrels. Used hydraulic oil he remembers they would use a front loader to dig a hole and put the drums in the ground of old hydraulic oil from airplanes.

I served at MCAS El Toro from 1976 to 1980 MASS-3 and HHS38 right on the flight line I got a call today from a fellow marine to alert me of what went on wondering how I feel 34 years later where is our government? NOT protecting us veterans

I was stationed at MCAS El Toro from 1979 -1983. My MOS 6022 power plants. My squadron VMA-211 last year I was treated for prostate cancer.

We used to dump fuel from drop tanks all over the dirt on the flight line there, and that cancer causing spooge that we used to wash the A/C with was constantly going down the drains...

my father was aviation ordinance on a6s with vmfa 242 maw 3 at eltoro. we lived at 13772 wake ave and 13682 iwo gima ave in the mid seventies. i went to el toro marine school for k - 2 grades. loved it. the parachute during gym is my fondest memory. anyone else here around the same time

ex husband was stationed there 1988-1992. He was a crash crew fire fighter and lived on the base. He has Leukemia and the kind he has only comes from toxic exposure.

MWSG-37, WTS-37. 1977-1979. We dumped dirty part cleaning solvent and used hyd fluid and oils as ordered. There was not much about recycling these things back then. Sad it happened that way.

I served here 1976 and 77 at the Commissary, It was the best years of my young life, I still have dreams of being there.

I was there 1972 and 1973. I've had reoccurring blisters on my feet since that time. It's unexplained, but luckily documented in my medical records.

I was stationed at El Toro from 81 to 85 with a 6mo tour to Japan. I must say that it was the best duty station I had in the 7yrs I served. I was with MABS-13 and VMA-311. It saddens me that such a great base and memorys are all gone with the closing of the base.

I was at El Toro, 73 to 76. Semper Fi, ATC KD

I had a blast here on OJT with H&MS GSE (don't remember the unit but it was closer to the F-4's) in '87. Glad I didn't spend more than a year there, according to this article! Yikes!! We were so ignorant back then we used to wash our hands with the parts washer fluid PD-680 to get the bearing grease off our hands before chow and after work (we couldn't show up at the beach with grease-ingrained finger nails, egads!)

I worked for a contractor on El Toro for 10 years doing construction. The final 2 years were environmental remediation and it was a total joke. Do not live in the homes built anywhere close to that place. The two generals’ quarters had their water supply to their quarters filtered, but no one else got filtered water. We dug up tons of hideous chemicals. Aliso creek runs through the base and ends in Laguna Beach and I always see kids playing in the creek water at the beach. Anyone who goes near that place will absolutely have negative health.

So how did they build Great Park here? The future will tell with the new residents living on this property.

I know the way we changed once we shifted out of cold war mode when it came to a lot of the chemicals we used. The chemical dump area by our hangar never ever grew grass no matter how much we tried to fix it. We used Trych like people use lysol deodarannt on their counters against covid. Poltergeist movie- any Cold War era base is loaded with bear trap like spots where a homeowner has no clue what they are buying. I am also sure that a lot of the base is perfectly normal. Somewhere between the scammers wanting government money, and people with true illnesses from being exposed excessively, lies the truth.

1974-1978 El Toro Marine. We dumped burn up fuel huge mushroom Plumes on the airfields behind Plane Hangers on the regular. I was Soaked in TCE for years as cleaning. lubricating agent. I have many medical conditions attributed to TEC. (Veterans Administration Denies Medical Claims) Still Today.

5:46 that's Bldg 321 Supply Dept. where I used to work as a Sailor. I was stationed at MCAS El Toro 1986 to 1989, my first duty station.

I was there 85-95. My brother was at Camp Legune and that gave him Parkinson’s and other things. Damn! I hope I don’t get sick too. We knew it was contaminated when I was there. I worked in environmental for a while and the base was tracking the contamination plume that reached 7 miles to the Tustin base.

Finally this video will soon bring to light

I was also stationed there from 84-88 with H&MS-13 and VMA-121. It was a great station.

My high school health teacher was stationed at the el toro base in the early 90's back when he was in the marines

Every airport in every city has the same issues. They degrease them and dump fuel in storm drains. It's been going on for 50 years in hundreds of places, not just military bases.

eltoro 78-80 macg-38 mwcs-38 then overseas to okinawa .ty for the video

WAS STATIONED AT EL TORO MASS-3 REDEYE PLATOON 1973-74, REMEMERED STANDING ON 3rd FLOOR MOST LIKELY IN THE BARRACKS SHOWED AT BEGINNING OF THIS VIDEO, THEY HAD JUST BEEN CONSTRUCTED, NICE, LIVING QUARTERS, MUCH BETTER & MORE PRIVATE etc. THAN THE OLD SQUAD BAYS, ALSO CIVILIAN CHOW HALLS!!

I served there with MWSS 374 from 1997-1999.

Was there 79 to 83 all kinds of medical conditions can't even get SSI to issue me a check.

USMC 81-85: 6017: 3rd MAW, MAG-11, VMFA-314 First Marine Corps squadron to receive the F/A-18.

Something about stuff we used to clean aircraft on flight line. Regular "plane wash" assignment, during summer, was a LONG day. I can remember the smell, but nothing related to pre-paint, sandblasting prep....this was regular scheduled cleaning to KEEP paint and airframes clean. Mag 11 close to back gate, base housing (terrible for young kids USMC with young kids)for enlisted (likely asbestos used, never removed, but not broken up). The NEW 7 day store opened out there in 1980....FOR base housing residents. We lived in what we called "condemned" barracks right next to chow hall main side, as new WM and NCO barracks were built and opened in 79-82. LUCKY may have lived off-base, in $$$ Orange County, as close to the beach as they could get. WHO to contact ?SEE it now...Thanks. Semper Fi

they can call it Hell Toro

The 1986 Disney Sunday Movie, "The B.R.A.T. Patrol," was filmed there.

@Left; when I was there from 1979-1986 that burning was the firefighters practicing their trade on an aircraft shell.

We were there from 89-91.

Please write to me at newsroom at salem dash news dot com, (dash is a hyphen) we have a team of people who can often help with these questions, sorry to hear about your illness, glad you found us though, and BTW we are Salem-News, thanks. Tim

I was there from 1964 thru 1966. Then THC was a common cleaner for parts etc.

So why is it being developed into playgrounds,sports fields like tennis courts,basketball, baseball fields and soccer fields?! Who's profiting in the long run?!

Received my promotions in front of that hangar during the mid 70s

I went to El Toro marine School from 1972 to 1976 and it seemed OK,was there problems then.

I was station there from 1967 to 1969 and then 1970- 1971. from 69 to 70 I was in Chu Lai with VMFA-115

My dad was stationed at El Toro Base.

Like my cousin said, the Corps never promised anyone a bed of roses.

My uncle Henry Montgomery Jr. was here is 70's.

Was stationed there from 88-92

I was stationed there for almost 3 years, 67-70. We routinely cleaned planes with what I remember as carbon tet, if you got it on you it disappeared in a second and left a white residue on your skin,We would use a couple of 55 gallon drums whenever we cleaned, and it all ended up on the deck

Yuck, I live there now, just getting around to looking into the history of the land. I’ve noticed we don’t have lakes in and around Great Park. Things that make you go 🤔

What about the spouses? I lived in housing directly outside the back gate from 84 to 88. I have autoimmune disorders, Graves’ disease and was diagnosed with Crohn’s. This could explain a lot

What chemical were used to clean the Aircraft ??? 1st 30 seconds of vid sayuz that.....

Was stationed there from 79-86......that and another 12 years with Lockheed gave me two brain anuerysms. Still sad to see El Toro go, Semper Fi ! 121 Green Knights

horrible

We KNOW! !! Our Family is riddled with Medical Issues! I was the first to acquire a rare Radiation Cancer, Hurtle Cell, ;lucky to be alive, now my husband is suffering from Vile Duct Cancer! Other issues that plague our Family, Autoimmune, Miscarriage's, depression and other mental issues and more!

I WAS STATIONED THERE IN 1977-78 IM 68 NOW AND HAVE PAEKINSONS THEY DENIED MY CLAIM GUESS THERE JUSTHOPING ILL DIE SOON............THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

Damn, Irvine is absolutely gorgeous. Shame.

VMFA-323 , '76-'79 , Did not like the FOD walks but hated washing the planes. There was no way of keeping that cleaner off of you. Other than that it was a good time.

I was there in MASS3, 1956-1959. No health problems.

Was there in 80-82 vma311 a4 tomcats great time semper fidelis vets

I think Erin Brockovich needs to be involved then there would be some law suits lol

VMFA 513, Late '62 - Oct '64.

so ? I d like to put in a bid to do the hazmat cleanup and demolition or restoration of el toro then what are the dimensions and how much chemical waste is present? lemme know!!

we lived there from 93-97 I and several ladies had babies in 96 all with major medical issues (one didn't survive I believe) mine has renal issues since I was 20 weeks pregnant. he still at some point will need a kydney he lives with CKD has had many surgeries. in 97 after we got home I started having kydney stones his dad did a few years later. my health is extremely bad they call it probable M'S and Tia's but they are sure it's auto immune so they have several times changed my diagnosis makimge feel crazy and my family and friends be skeptical although I have to use a cane, my doctors would not release me to go back to work do to loss of feeling in my right side among other issues. I also have a ton of GI issues that are RARE n doctors do not understand y!! I have now had 70 kidney stones. just seeing this I balled my eyes out. we loved our marine life its very sad that we have been without help for our child since we got out in 97!

OUr governments taking care of the Marines and the people. same thing is probably is happening at all bases. one comes to mind MCRS, and Coronado San Diego

400 Division Hadarous waste/materials NCO in the late 80's. Seen this coming....

How do you get on the base? I would really like to tour it

What’s the address on this place?

Hah was the traffic director there when they did the color run

Is anything still standing?

Now so many people live there lmao

H and HS 38 MACG 38