MCAS El Toro

MCAS El Toro

Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO).
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Heritage-Patches

The Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, began operations during World War II and was closed in 1999. El Toro has two 10,000 ft. and two 8,000 ft. runways.

Air station insignia designed by Walt Disney Studios.

Sources

David Weber

John Gabbard

Commanding Officers

No info yet.

Awards

1985: El Toro was awarded the Commander in Chief's Award for Installation Excellence for its efforts in improving the quality of life aboard the station. In 1986, the station received the award again, the only installation to receive the award twice. MCAS El Toro was a showcase for Marine Corps aviation and a reserve mobilization site.

Base Tail ID

No info yet.

Hosted Units

  • MARTD
Aircraft

01 March 1970 - Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk *

31 October 1975- - - Douglas A-4F Skyhawk

* November 30, 1962

The A4D-2N designation changed to A-4C

For A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to this unit see lower in this page:

Events

JUL 1942: Construction began. The facility was initially built as a wartime expedient air station for the purpose of aircraft squadron formation and unit training prior to overseas combat deployment.

17 March 1943: Base is commissioned.

1945: Congress made it the permanent West Coast Marine Corps Air Station.

1950: MCAS El Toro was selected for development as a Master Jet Air Station and the permanent center of Marine aviation on the west coast of the United States. Its mission was to support the operations and combat readiness of Fleet Marine Forces.

1955: the Third Marine Aircraft Wing Headquarters relocated to El Toro from Miami Florida to become the primary tenant.

June 17, 1971: Maj. P.B. Layman, 36, USMC Reserve, MCAS El Toro, ejected from his A4 Skyhawk that had started smoking in the midst of takeoff and fell onto a 8,000 foot runway at NAS Memphis seconds later. The plane was said to be heavily damaged, although it remained intact after coming to rest on the runway. Hattiesburg American, Friday, 18 June 1971. Aircraft status was changed to Y (pending decision to SOC) on 1 July 1971 and SOC 8 September 1971.

After 1971 the Marine Air Reserve under the command of the 4th Marine Air Wing conducted reserve training operations at El Toro.

February 6, 1978: Capt. Ralph Thrash, 30, of Laguna Hills, was killed Saturday in the crash of his jet attack plane at Twenty-nine Palms. Capt. Thrash was a member of the MARTD at MCAS El Toro. He was on active duty from 1970 to 1975. The Los Angeles Times, Monday, February 6, 1978.

The Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Toro was officially closed in 1999. MCAS El Toro was a master jet air station supporting the operations and combat readiness of Pacific Fleet Maine Forces. MCAS El Toro provided materials and support for aviation activities of the United States marine Corps (USMC).

Photos

JUL76: BuNo 155000, A-4F, MF-100 parked at the Atlantic City Airport. Gary Verver Collection.


Off-Duty Photos

No info yet.

A-4 Skyhawk aircraft assigned to MARTD:

  • Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk

    • 145068 c/n 12314
      • 17 Aug 1973 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 03 Dec 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
    • 145110 c/n 12356
      • 20 Jun 1970 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 15 Mar 1971 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
    • 145125 c/n 12371
      • 19 Jan 1972 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 19 Sep 1972 - Stricken 1S
    • 145126 c/n 12372
      • 01 Mar 1970 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 04 Jun 1971 - Stricken - 1S
    • 145131 c/n 12377
      • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro 31 Oct 1974 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
    • 145135 c/n 12381
      • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 15 Oct 1973 - Stricken - 3S
    • 147673 C/N 12437
      • 29 Jun 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 13 Nov 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
    • 147675 C/N 12439
      • 06 Jun 1973 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 03 Jul 1973 - MARTD - NAS Alameda, CA
    • 147698 C/N 12462
      • 07 Dec 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 19 Apr 1973 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
    • 147701 C/N 12465
      • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 26 Sep 1971 - NAS - NAS Glynco, GA
    • 147727 C/N 12491
      • 125 Jan 1971 - MARTD Alameda - Convert to A-4L
      • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 28 May 1971 - VA-205 - NAS Atlanta, GA
    • 147749 C/N 12513
      • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA (MF-8)
      • 07 Apr 1972 - MASDC - As 3A0364
      • 07 Apr 1972 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
    • 147792 C/N 12556
      • 08 Jul 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 30 Oct 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
    • 147814 C/N 12578
      • 13 Feb 1972 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA (MF-7)
      • 05 Jul 1973 - MASDC - As 3A0367
      • 05 Jul 1973 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
    • 147821 C/N 12585
      • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 05 Dec 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
    • 148449 C/N 12642
      • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 03 Aug 1971 - VC-8 - NS Roosevelt Roads, PR
    • 148485 C/N 12678
      • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 14 Oct 1973 - NAS - NAS Memphis, TN
    • 148492 C/N 12685
      • 22 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 07 Jun 1971 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
    • 148509 C/N 12702
      • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 07 Jun 1971 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
    • 148516 C/N 12709
      • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 03 Oct 1973 - NAS A&T - NAS North Island, CA
    • 148528 C/N 12721
      • 18 Aug 1973 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 18 Aug 1973 - MARTD - NAS Alameda, CA
    • 148529 C/N 12722
      • 17 Aug 1973 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 12 Nov 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
    • 148532 C/N 12725
      • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 08 Sep 1971 - Stricken - 1S
    • 148534 C/N 12727
      • 001 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 06 Nov 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
    • 148545 C/N 12738
      • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 09 Mar 1971 - MASDC - As 3A0315
      • 09 Mar 1971 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
    • 148572 C/N 12765
      • 11 Feb 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 28 Feb 1971 - MARTD - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
      • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 25 Oct 1973 - NAS - NAS Memphis, TN
      • 148575 C/N 12768
        • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
        • 25 Feb 1972 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
      • 148598 C/N 12791
        • 27 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
        • 26 Jul 1971 - VC-2 - NAS Oceana, VA
      • 149493 c/n 12818
        • 17 Aug 1973 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
        • 13 Nov 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
      • 149498 c/n 12823
        • 04 Mar 1972 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
        • 30 Oct 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
        • 145068 c/n 12314
          • 17 Aug 1973 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 03 Dec 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
        • 145110 c/n 12356
          • 20 Jun 1970 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 15 Mar 1971 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
        • 145125 c/n 12371
          • 19 Jan 1972 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 19 Sep 1972 - Stricken 1S
        • 145126 c/n 12372
          • 01 Mar 1970 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 04 Jun 1971 - Stricken - 1S
        • 145131 c/n 12377
          • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro 31 Oct 1974 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
        • 145135 c/n 12381
          • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 15 Oct 1973 - Stricken - 3S
        • 147673 C/N 12437
          • 29 Jun 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 13 Nov 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
        • 147675 C/N 12439
          • 06 Jun 1973 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 03 Jul 1973 - MARTD - NAS Alameda, CA
        • 147698 C/N 12462
          • 07 Dec 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 19 Apr 1973 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
        • 147701 C/N 12465
          • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 26 Sep 1971 - NAS - NAS Glynco, GA
        • 147727 C/N 12491
          • 125 Jan 1971 - MARTD Alameda - Convert to A-4L
          • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 28 May 1971 - VA-205 - NAS Atlanta, GA
        • 147749 C/N 12513
          • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA (MF-8)
          • 07 Apr 1972 - MASDC - As 3A0364
          • 07 Apr 1972 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
        • 147792 C/N 12556
          • 08 Jul 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 30 Oct 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
        • 147814 C/N 12578
          • 13 Feb 1972 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA (MF-7)
          • 05 Jul 1973 - MASDC - As 3A0367
          • 05 Jul 1973 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
        • 147821 C/N 12585
          • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 05 Dec 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
        • 148449 C/N 12642
          • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 03 Aug 1971 - VC-8 - NS Roosevelt Roads, PR
        • 148485 C/N 12678
          • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 14 Oct 1973 - NAS - NAS Memphis, TN
        • 148492 C/N 12685
          • 22 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 07 Jun 1971 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
        • 148509 C/N 12702
          • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 07 Jun 1971 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
        • 148516 C/N 12709
          • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 03 Oct 1973 - NAS A&T - NAS North Island, CA
        • 148528 C/N 12721
          • 18 Aug 1973 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 18 Aug 1973 - MARTD - NAS Alameda, CA
        • 148529 C/N 12722
          • 17 Aug 1973 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 12 Nov 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
        • 148532 C/N 12725
          • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 08 Sep 1971 - Stricken - 1S
        • 148534 C/N 12727
          • 001 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 06 Nov 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
        • 148545 C/N 12738
          • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 09 Mar 1971 - MASDC - As 3A0315
          • 09 Mar 1971 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
        • 148572 C/N 12765
          • 11 Feb 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 28 Feb 1971 - MARTD - NAS Los Alamitos, CA
          • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 25 Oct 1973 - NAS - NAS Memphis, TN
          • 148575 C/N 12768
            • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 25 Feb 1972 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
          • 148598 C/N 12791
            • 27 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 26 Jul 1971 - VC-2 - NAS Oceana, VA
          • 149493 c/n 12818
            • 17 Aug 1973 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 13 Nov 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
            • 149498 c/n 12823
            • 04 Mar 1972 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 30 Oct 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
          • 149503 c/n 12828
            • 01 Dec 1973 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 26 Nov 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
          • 149520 c/n 12845
            • 01 Dec 1973 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 26 Nov 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
          • 149541 c/n 12866
            • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 25 Feb 1972 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
          • 149588 c/n 12913
            • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - NAS El Toro, CA
            • 03 Dec 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
          • 149591 c/n 12916
            • 30 May 1972 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 01 Sep 1973 - VC-12 - NAF Detroit, MI
          • 149605 c/n 12930
            • 17 Aug 1973 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 09 Jan 1975 - Stricken - 1SO
          • 149636 c/n 12961
            • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA (VMA-134 SL-3)
            • 27 May 1971 - MASDC - As 3A0338
            • 27 May 1971 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
          • 150588 c/n 12999
            • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 20 Mar 1972 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
  • Douglas A-4F Skyhawk

    • 154173 c/n 13630
      • 03 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 15 Jun 1979 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
    • 154193 c/n 13650
      • 04 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 02 Aug 1979 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
    • 154200 c/n 13657
      • 05 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 28 Dec 1976 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
    • 154203 c/n 13660
      • 17 Mar 1976 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 02 Jan 1980 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
    • 154211 c/n 13668
      • 04 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 18 May 1978 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
    • 154213 c/n 13670
      • 31 Oct 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 01 Jan 1980 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
    • 154973 c/n 13789
      • 31 Oct 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 01 Jan 1980 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
    • 154977 c/n 13793
      • 15 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 01 Jan 1980 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
    • 154992 c/n 13808
      • 05 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 01 Jan 1980 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
    • 155000 c/n 13816
      • 06 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 01 Jan 1980 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
    • 155028 c/n 13844
      • 04 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 12 Sep 1979 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
    • 155039 c/n 13855
      • 05 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 26 Apr 1979 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - NAS Pensacola, FL
    • 155050 c/n 13866
      • 03 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 06 Feb 1978 - Stricken - 1SO
    • 155066 c/n 13882
      • 06 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 23 Oct 1979 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
      • 149503 c/n 12828
        • 01 Dec 1973 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
        • 26 Nov 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
      • 149520 c/n 12845
        • 01 Dec 1973 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
        • 26 Nov 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
      • 149541 c/n 12866
        • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
        • 25 Feb 1972 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
      • 149588 c/n 12913
        • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - NAS El Toro, CA
        • 03 Dec 1975 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
      • 149591 c/n 12916
        • 30 May 1972 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
        • 01 Sep 1973 - VC-12 - NAF Detroit, MI
      • 149605 c/n 12930
        • 17 Aug 1973 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
        • 09 Jan 1975 - Stricken - 1SO
      • 149636 c/n 12961
        • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA (VMA-134 SL-3)
        • 27 May 1971 - MASDC - As 3A0338
        • 27 May 1971 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
        • 150588 c/n 12999
          • 01 Mar 1971 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
          • 20 Mar 1972 - MASDC - Davis-Mothan AFB, Tucson, AZ
          • Douglas A-4F Skyhawk

            • 154173 c/n 13630
              • 03 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
              • 15 Jun 1979 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 154193 c/n 13650
              • 04 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
              • 02 Aug 1979 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 154200 c/n 13657
              • 05 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
              • 28 Dec 1976 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 154203 c/n 13660
              • 17 Mar 1976 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
              • 02 Jan 1980 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 154211 c/n 13668
              • 04 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
              • 18 May 1978 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 154213 c/n 13670
              • 31 Oct 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
              • 01 Jan 1980 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 154973 c/n 13789
              • 31 Oct 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
              • 01 Jan 1980 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 154977 c/n 13793
              • 15 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
              • 01 Jan 1980 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 154992 c/n 13808
              • 05 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
              • 01 Jan 1980 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 155000 c/n 13816
              • 06 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
              • 01 Jan 1980 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 155028 c/n 13844
              • 04 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
              • 12 Sep 1979 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA
            • 155039 c/n 13855
              • 05 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
              • 26 Apr 1979 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - NAS Pensacola, FL
            • 155050 c/n 13866
              • 03 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
              • 06 Feb 1978 - Stricken - 1SO
            • 155066 c/n 13882
              • 06 Nov 1975 - MARTD - MCAS El Toro, CA
              • 23 Oct 1979 - HMS 46 Det El Toro - MCAS El Toro, CA

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