It really is, it was a very big, key base for the Marine Corps, really for the Pacific. Tremendous history and a lot of stories to tell. Once 3rd MAW left it was a total ghost town, then they had the commercial jet trials, then the "Great Park". Supposedly they intend on leaving a small section of the runway and the arresting gear as a nod to the Marines and the history of the land, but I imagine at some point, as we all get old and leave, it will be nothing but a small green belt for more condos.
At least Tustin has the blimp hangars, which are protected.
I haven't been back in years, last I was there I walked aboard from the old Sand Canyon gate, must have been over 15 years ago. It was mostly intact then. Lots of memories.
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apparently, only one of the blimp hangars is protected and the other one is going to get torn down; most likely the one that already suffered a partial collapse a few years ago. A large part of Orange County and SoCal history disappearing.
Heres the link to the other thread, if you didn’t happen to see it already.
KNZJ, MCAS El Toro, CA
KNZJ, Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, was commissioned on 4 November 1942, and served as the home of USMC fighter/attack, all weather attack, reconnaissance, and transport/tanker operations for the west coast. As home of the 3rd Marine Air Wing and Marine Air Group- 11, it was a...
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