What is El Toro?

El Toro Marine Corps Air Station (IATA: NZJ, ICAO: KNZY, FAA LID: NZJ), also known as MCAS El Toro, was an active United States Marine Corps installation from the late 1940s until its closure in 1999. During World War II, it was called Santa Ana Army Air Base. Located near Irvine, California, approximately three miles (5 km) east of the Pacific Ocean and 4 miles (6 km) southeast of Newport Beach, the mission of El Toro MCAS was to provide aviation, ground combat, air control/warning, and logistical support for the Fleet Marine Forces of the Pacific.

The base was officially closed on July 1, 1999, as a result of the 1993 United States Base Realignment and Closure process, and the property was transferred to the Orange County Great Park Corporation for development as a public park and future community, called the Orange County Great Park.

Aircraft

In its later years, El Toro was the home of the following squadrons:

* Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 (HMLA-169) "Vipers", flying AH-1W SuperCobra

* Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 (HMM-165) "White Knights", flying CH-46E Sea Knight

* Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (HMM-268) "Red Dragons", flying CH-46E Sea Knight

* Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 (HMM-364) "Purple Foxes", flying CH-46E Sea Knight

* Marine Heavy Lift Helicopter Squadron 462 (HMH-462) "Heavy Haulers", flying CH-53D Sea Stallion

* Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 (VMFA-232) "Red Devils", flying F/A-18C Hornet

* Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 (VMFA-323) "Death Rattlers", flying F/A-18C Hornet

* Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 533 (VMFA-533) "Hawks", flying F/A-18A Hornet

Units

In addition to the squadrons listed above, other major units based at El Toro MCAS included:

* Marine Air Control Group 38 (MACG-38)

* Marine Air Control Squadron 3 (MACS-3)

* Marine Air Control Squadron 4 (MACS-4)

* Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 (MWSS-371)

* Marine Air Logistics Squadron 12 (MALS-12)

* Marine Air Base Squadron 31 (MABS-31)

History

Background and Establishment

El Toro's history dates back to the early 1940s when the United States Navy began looking for a site to establish a new Marine Corps air base in Southern California. The area around El Toro was chosen because of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, its favorable weather conditions, and its relatively flat terrain.

In 1942, the Navy acquired approximately 1,700 acres (690 ha) of land in the area and began construction of the new air base. The base was originally known as Santa Ana Army Air Base and was used by the Army Air Forces during World War II.

After the war, the base was transferred to the Marine Corps and was renamed El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. The Marines began using the base in 1947, and it quickly became one of the most important air bases in the Marine Corps.

El Toro in the Marine Corps

The mission of El Toro MCAS was to provide aviation, ground combat, air control/warning, and logistical support for the Fleet Marine Forces of the Pacific. The base was home to a variety of Marine Corps units, including helicopter squadrons, fighter attack squadrons, air control squadrons, and support squadrons.

El Toro MCAS was a major hub for Marine aviation operations in the Pacific. The base was used for training, exercises, and deployments. The base also played a role in several major conflicts, including the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War.

In addition to its military mission, El Toro MCAS was also a major employer in the Orange County area. The base provided jobs for thousands of military and civilian personnel. The base also contributed to the local economy by patronizing local businesses and services.

Closure of El Toro MCAS

In 1993, the United States Department of Defense announced that El Toro MCAS was one of several military installations that would be closed as part of a base realignment and closure (BRAC) process. The decision to close El Toro was based on a number of factors, including changes in the needs of the military and the high cost of maintaining the base.

The closure of El Toro MCAS was a major blow to the Orange County community. The base provided jobs for thousands of people and contributed millions of dollars to the local economy. The loss of the base also had a significant impact on the morale of the military personnel who were stationed there.

Post-Closure

After El Toro MCAS closed in 1999, the property was transferred to the Orange County Great Park Corporation for development as a public park and future community. The Orange County Great Park is a 1,300-acre (530 ha) park that includes sports fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, and trails. The park is also home to the Orange County Zoo and Discovery Science Center.

The El Toro Marine Corps Air Station was a major part of the Orange County community for over 50 years. The closure of the base had a significant impact on the community, but the creation of the Orange County Great Park has helped to preserve the legacy of the base and to provide a new resource for the community.