YTRkOWEwZmI2ZmYwNjdlYTc5YzkxYWQwYTlhN2UyNDJkZTA2YWZjYzYzNzcy Years of Operation 1943-1993 The El Toro Marine Corps Air Station was first commissioned in 1943 and is located near Irvine, CA. Salem-News.com's John Uldrich, Bob O'Dowd and Tim King at MCAS Tustin in 2009. I feel confident that exposure to chemicals on base led to my AML. When I was growing up my father was a Marine Corps helicopter pilot and spent many years stationed at the MCAS Tustin facility. The source was not known and there was concern that we could have a major explosion unless the source was determined and fixed. Those who already know that El Toro is a Superfund site, will not be surprised to learn that Tustin has similar problems and while there is no real support from the government at this point, it will do former Tustin Marines good to understand that their health may have been compromised just like the Marines from El Toro. I live near Tustin and have commented to my wife that I cannot believe they let homes be built around the base. The north hangar was closed in 2013. Contamination was first suspected in 1985, when local water agencies found traces of TCE in agricultural wells near the western edge of the El Toro base. OGYyNWQ0MDE5MWRhMThiZWQ3OTZlYzY5NmRkZDc3MDg1ZjRjYThkYjNjOThh ZmViMjg5ZmZhZjExYzNiMmJiZWJkNGQxNTU1ZGQ1NDFmZjM0MjRlNWFlZjJm These restrictions were not addressed in the Proposed Plan for the No Action sites because the groundwater contamination is not related to Marine Corps activities that occurred at . Former MCAS Tustin was extensively used for agriculture prior to being commissioned in 1942 for a lighter-than-air patrol base and re-commissioned in 1951 to support helicopter operations. MCAS El Toro's TCE and Radium 226 Contamination Many military Superfund sites are contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE). In February 1944, it became an Outlying Field (OLF) to . I spent time at both El Toro and Tustin along with Cherry Point, New River, and Cecil Field. The longtime Marine Corps Air Station, . There are those like myself, who served at both bases. MGQ1YTAyNWQ2OTcwM2RjZTE5YmU0MDQ5NjBlNjAzZDMzNTFkOTc2MmVjOTFl ZWMxNjA0NGVmODViNGQzMWU2OTA0NmQ5NTE0NzYzN2E1YmE1MGMxNjkyZjM1 . All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied. At home, they think nothing of going out back and dumping a couple of cans of motor oil into the stream. 2013. Editor: Iris, needless to say we are very concerned to hear of this, I have heard from many people who are impacted but this might be the most severe case I have heard of and it sounds like you have it backed up. ZDk0MDUzYjc5YWIwOTFiN2YyNjc3MWZmMTExOTk4NjYwNjIxIn0= Having served there for 5 years until the shutdown and our relocation to San Diego, I began experiencing major digestion issues 2 years after being stationed on El Toro. According to Pentagon documents, around 385 US military bases have PFAS contamination. Veterans Unaware of Contaminants & Health Effects. Start contacting your elected officials today and demand an investigation! MWU3NmJmYTQzMjhjMGNlOTlkZGUzOGM5MmQ1OWVlYjZlZDM2OTRmZTUyYzEx (TUSTIN, CA) - We've written at length about the contamination of MCAS El Toro in Southern California, the now-closed Marine Corps air base that was a center of military defense for both Orange County and Los Angeles for half a century, however we haven't devoted very much space to a second nearby base, MCAS Tustin. But today, as far as compliance with the underground tank-testing program goes, were very pleased.. -----BEGIN REPORT----- The Marines also owe the South Coast Air Quality Management District about $18,000 in fees, which are levied annually based on the amount of air pollution a business or industry produces. The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the air quality district on behalf of all military bases in the region contesting the fees. The Air Force failed to disclose to the U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs that George Air Force Base, CA had several radiological decontamination centers for aircraft and personnel that were involved the nuclear cloud sampling program in the 1950s-60s. I'm a former El Toro Marine, this page is created to educate those. One of the primary contaminants found by EPA at the Marine Corps Air Station Tustin was PFAS, polyfluoroalkyl substances. The evidence was troubling: A vast pool of underground water, stretching more than 3 miles from the edge of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station to the heart of residential Irvine, had been contaminated with a cancer-causing chemical. The base is used by approximately 9,500 active-duty personnel, 6,500 family members, and more than 1,700 civilian employees. A number of Marines report serious illnesses linked to toxic exposure. Also, the Base/Gov. My daughter was born while we lived there. I have a number of medical issues that the VA is trying to tell me I was born with, but, why were they not found while I was in service? YjM3OGU4ODU4NWNlMjAzNmFlYzIwYjc4N2U2ZTdkNDMwMDRlOGU3MjlkOTQx Keep in mind that once the government assumes responsibility, they must retroactively apply everything back to the date you filed. If you have health issues please file a claim. So out of maybe a couple hundred, I would guess at least 25-30% battling diseases. When I was there most of the fields to the northwest were strawberry fields. Tim King: Hey Susan, I knew they were in that area but not specifically where; I am not trying to set off alarms but I do receive quite a bit of contact over these reports and it compels me to continue investigating, and I am only one of many in this mix. ZmM0YWFmMjY2MGExMDkxMjFkOWRkNWI1MTUwNmMyMTczZDBiN2IzZTdhODM2 The TCE controversy illustrates one of the most persistent complaints about the corps: its slow response to resolving environmental problems. Strange story I know; it is bizarre that Marines were able to upseat the Navy and take over their prominent base that way, but there was not enough room and it was a very expensive operation as it turned out. The 246-square-mile military training complex was established in. Depending on your disabilities and military service you may be entitled to a pension whether your disability is service connected or not. It was used to clean many other items also and Marines were never warned of its severe health-compromising effects. Was in the first group of 50 to open ElToro- Ran into a volunteer at the WWII Museum NEw Orleans, La., he raised the flag at the opening ceremonies, left El Toro with VMF 212 first stop Hawaii then Midway, more islands after that -- ElToro holds many memories. I was at Tustin with HMT-301 and HMM-164 and TME from Nov 1979-Sep 1981I remember jet fuel and the cleaning racksand the fields all around us. In fact my ex wife whom was there 10 yrs. Like any Marine, I am saddened to hear of the tragic impact this issue has imposed on our brothers and their families as well as local non-military personnel. According to the City of Tustin's, 'Tustin Legacy' Website, MCAS Tustin- (LTA) has an environmental history of contamination that includes but is not limited to, solvents and jet fuel supporting the base operations, and pesticides associated with the agricultural uses. I do recall thinking that there was a lot of chemicals being used to fertilize and control insects while growing several crops a year. MGNlMzlmMjVlZjI0YTEyY2E2NzFjZmEzMTQ2NjNhYjMyOTRlMzVlZmY1MWU0 Since then, bladder and colon cancer, kidneys are shot and full of unknown cysts. I have lost so many fellow Marines to various cancers and illness and know of several that are currently battling various cancers. I'd like to know more about all this. Inhaled an awful lot of turbine exhaust and MIL-L-23699 oil mist, though. YzI5MjBjNzE3N2Y0OWRjZjA1MDMzYzBhOTI3MzIwZDM0NDI0NjNlNjQ2MTQw The US Marine community recognizes this place as the location from which it would launch blimp operations to support the US Navy, while fighting during World War II. !! In particular, the high . Irvine Mayor Larry Agran has been accused of any number of improprieties relating to El Toro's missing millions of dollars in development funds. Laura was the first person to receive disability benefits related to TCE exposure. ZDc1ODgwN2VhNzk5ZWZjNjUwOGUwZTU3Zjc1ZmYyZmVlOGJiNWRlZTIwZjBi The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last year recommended placing the entire El Toro base on the national Superfund list for toxic waste sites. If it receives Superfund status, EPA officials will then oversee inspection, cleanup and monitoring of any hazardous waste sites on base, including the TCE-contaminated ground water. Since 1984, the Marines have added five experts to their environmental staff, headed by Navy Ensign Michael Rehor, a chemical engineer. I have four children with two different mothers, all four having the same complications at birth (shallow breathing and heart rates dropping off). In 2013 I had a 3cm golf ball size tumor/mass removed from my brain stem. Under California law, all underground chemical and fuel tanks should have been inspected by their owners by 1986. Semper Fi! However, in 2019, the New York Times reported on TCE and how the US military is still using the toxic chemical on 2,200 of its facilities to degrease the metal parts of their aircraft. (IRVINE, Calif.) - A number of Marines are now sick and dying from their contact with toxins at MCAS El Toro, such as TCE (trichloroethylene) a chemical used to clean jet fighters; but Marines aren't the only victims. I wanted to post some information about benefits for those of you that have military service, have a disability, are having financial hardships and dont know where to turn. Thanks in advance. Thanks. Therefore, the Marine Corps had . ZTA3OGEwYThlYTUwODNhOWY2OTA1MTc2NWMwMzI2Y2Y4YTA4MWFmNzUyZWYw Just wondering if there's any other reports of this? For nearly four decades, solvents, jet fuel, paint products and hydraulic fluids were dumped routinely--an illegal practice by todays standards--at El Toro, a 4,900-acre jet fighter and bomber training base, and at the nearby Tustin base, a 1,000-acre helicopter training facility. The studies also suggested the plume was moving in a westward direction at a rate of 1 to 4 feet a day. S. R. Holm Jr., attired in freshly pressed dress blues, listened intently until it was his turn to speak. Beginning in the 1940's the fuels and solvents were dumped in open pits which eventually led to groundwater contamination. I had prostate cancer and had my prostate removed 3 years ago. Orange County's Tustin Marine Corps Air Station has contaminated one well with 770,000 ppt of PFOS/PFOA. State and local health officials have long pushed for a tank inspection program at El Toro out of concern that the tanks, many of which are as old as the 56-year-old base, may be leaking toxic residues. MDNkYzZlYzU2NDIyOGE0ZGQzMmE5OGY1YjQ3M2FiMWMxNTY5NmMwMzhkYjgx Location: California, United States. The main contaminant is TCE - trichloroethylene, a chemical degreaser that was used to clean jet fighters. The Marine Corps Tustin base became the first US facility made for the sole purpose of helicopter operations. Both which have respitory problems as I do. But the Marines are changing their ways. (IRVINE, Calif.) - Toxic waste from the now-closed El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in Irvine is seeping underground into one of the richest neighborhoods in southern California . The corps is willing to right the environmental wrongs of the past and cooperate with local, state and federal regulatory agencies, which have complained for years about the militarys failure to clean up its hazardous waste, he said. The two blimp hangars that established Naval Lighter-Than-Air Station Santa Ana in Tustin were built in 1942. I still love the corps, semper fi. This air station started working in 1942, and it's in Orange County, CA. We (me and my wife and drs.) ODVlZmNiMWM1ZmVhZjBlNDM1MzlmOTFkYjU3ODdhZjg4ZTY3NmZhZmExNjlh We used gallons of TCE to clean .50 cal machine guns every day. I was stationed at MCAS Tustin Twice and El Toro once. With so many reports and studies of environmental issues around the bases and their potential effects on human health, the VA must step up to bring a change and compensate their service members after retirement. As part of a $7.5-million military contract awarded recently to a Santa Ana firm, a long-awaited inspection of 460 underground fuel storage tanks at the El Toro base is scheduled to begin this summer, a process that may take up to 4 years to complete. NDY0MWUwZGM0ZTg1NTQyOTdiMWRiZGNlOTZmYmY1ZGQ2NzllMTQ3Njk0N2U3 Thanks again for the article and I'll do more research on my own. This base was one of the main aviation support facilities on the West Coast. Bill and his sister may never know whether their illness was hereditary or from exposure to TCE. We have a serious problem, and I think this is a big test of the Marines willingness to cooperate.. The Pentagon owns 133 EPA Superfund sites, the most of any entity. However, many do not know the history behind the blimps or why the Tustin base became the center of US helicopter operations and training for the Vietnam War. Immediately, I left my home in Oceanside and drove to Tustin. To make that determination, the corps says that within the next year, it will use more than $500,000 from the militarys $400-million Defense Environmental Restoration Account--the U.S. Defense Departments special environmental cleanup fund--to investigate the suspected hazardous waste sites at each base. I work, ate, drink and lived on base. Has Orange County been utterly devastated by TCE and PCE? NDg3OWUyNTgyMTEyYWE0YzYzYjg4OTU1YWI2ZDY5NWJmZjNlZDYzODI2ZDJi Navy contractors performed much of this work also, and all of the results are filed on the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) EnviroStor Website. To this day, these servicemembers are denied protections under the PACT ACT. After years of extensive study and public outreach, a Reuse Plan was adopted by the community in 1996 which was subsequently amended and adopted also as a zoning document entitled the MCAS Tustin Specific Plan/Reuse Plan in 2003 and has been subsequently amended. I traveled between LTA and ElToro frequently. The contaminants were discovered in 1985, the majority of the removal done in 1997, base closure in 1999, a shopping center built around 2005, and grading for houses in 2008. The corps, however, has agreed for the first time to pay for the off-base tests needed to explore that connection. My husband was stationed at el toro 1981-1986. Physical improvements installed over the years to support the mission of MCAS Tustin included: 3,000-foot runway, aircraft parking aprons The doctors told him that he only had five years to live. Similarly, 11 such sites have been identified at the Tustin base. Only 80 of the tanks are in use; the rest have been abandoned and, for the most part, are empty. In my case, I have a 30% non-service connected pension which is 1,072.00 a month. The Tustin Marine Corps Helicopter Air Station and El Toro Marine Corps Air Station have long been among Orange Countys largest producers of hazardous wastes, according to county records. I later met an owner of a pesticide spraying company that the farmers on Tustin used to spray their fields. Now has early parkinson his va physician feels is from tce use. Will never forget the late night phone call I received informing me that there was a very strong smell of fuel around the HMM-164 Flight Line. The City of Tustin reported spending approximately $680,000 on capital improvements for the South Hangar through June 30, 2019, and planned an additional $4,300,000 to improve the functionality. PFAS are usually found in household and industrial products. Cost. Like many other bases, MCAS El Toro used TCE to degrease aircraft parts. Lucky I was still active duty and was medically retired a year later. I was stationed at MCAS Tustin from 1989-1992. The DOD data from Tustin, a base that closed in 1999, only includes information on two types of PFAS chemicals - PFOS and PFOA. HAZMAT did not exist until the early 90s and has only recently become an other than collateral duty. I spent several years at both bases in the 1990s. . Jan 2018, liver cancer. YmMxZmE5NGU4YzhhMzA3NWZmY2M0MDRmYTMwODcyNDVlN2RhYmRjNTk4ZmM5 Keep up the good work! Ground Zero Members Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. International Human Rights Organizations Call on President Biden to Close Guantanamo Prison. The extremely quick and secretive cleanup or coverup I should say was driven by greed of developers wanting the property, coupled with the Dept. 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