MzBiM2U5NjExZjhjMmMyYThlOGM0ZDhjZGE1MGU1MWUxMmNmZTAwYzU0MjYz Thanks to Tim King for his informative research and reporting! I was stationed at MCAS Tustin for approximately 7 years. The pits were used to train Marine firefighters to extinguish fires involving jet fuel in the event a jet fighter or helicopter crashed. We used MEK, PD-680, JP 5, and tons of other chemical compounds freely, In full compliance with maintenance manuals and directives. In 1992 I had to have surgery for a perforated ulcer. It was common practice back then to use Tric, perc, PD-680 dry cleaning solvent, jet engine oil, and many other toxins, on a daily basis without any personal protective equipment (PPE was issued as part of new hire orientation at my first civilian job)whatsoever. MCAS El Toro and Tustin Site Inspection Plan of Action. Thanks Tim, great article. We brought our above-ground fuel pumps and set up a tactical aircraft fueling system that tapped into the large above-ground tank and allowed us to refuel the Marine Corps CH-46, CH-53 Alpha and CH-53 Echo helicopters. In February 1944, it became an Outlying Field (OLF) to . Located in the heart of Orange County, the nearly 1,600 acres former Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Tustin was commissioned in 1942 and played a critical role in Navy and Marine aviation for over 50 years. Besides AFFF, burning chemicals, jet fuel, and other toxins released other hazardous particles into the environment. But he predicted that the Marines new attitude will be tested as water and health experts begin acting to clean up what is potentially the largest ground-water contamination case in Orange County history. 2013. NzJjNWY5NTViYjBjOWRiY2IzNTEyMGY4OGU2YWFiMTFlYWY4YTFlYTRlZDEx I now have several medical issues that I believe are related to prolonged exposure to TCE and other chemicals. U.S. military officials say the fee is a tax, and that federal agencies are exempt from local and state taxes. ZDlhYTUyZWNmYzRhYTk3MTk1ZDBmNzU0YmY0Zjg5YjY4OWI4ZmZhYjY1NWE5 The base is used by approximately 9,500 active-duty personnel, 6,500 family members, and more than 1,700 civilian employees. Now my Mother has it and I am showing beginning signs. 1 talking about this. For many years, the US military leased more than 500 acres surrounding the Tustin ranch road base for agricultural purposes. Laura fought the VA for more than two years before receiving a penny in benefits for her dying husband. ODFiNSIsInNpZ25hdHVyZSI6IjgzYjhlYTEzNzU2ZTFjN2Q1ZmU1MTEzN2M5 Classes on the handling and proper disposal of hazardous materials and wastes are conducted regularly for those who live and work at the two bases. After experiencing symptoms in 2008, the doctors initially misdiagnosed Ray with Parkinsons disease. HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS 3000 MARINE CORPS PENTAGON WASHINGTON, DC 20350-3000 . In addition, a hazardous waste recycling program has been launched on the bases to sell unused or contaminated jet fuel, solvents, paints and petroleum-based products to civilian contractors. MCAS El Toro is dangerously toxic, the city of Irvine is directly impacted. NTM4ZDAwNjMzMjY1YjljYjgwNDZlNzIzMzk1NzM5Y2RmMmRmZjE4YmMxYmZj It cant hurt to check it out. Upon arrival I sent 2-3 hours with the MCAS Commander trying to locate the source accompanied by several other Base personnel. S. R. Holm Jr., attired in freshly pressed dress blues, listened intently until it was his turn to speak. If so could I please be informed? ZjE3YzJkMWFhZTJhYTg4NzU5NDg2NzQwYmMwMTRhZjg3ZGM3NDU0NDdlODM1 Physical improvements installed over the years to support the mission of MCAS Tustin included: 3,000-foot runway, aircraft parking aprons There are those like myself, who served at both bases. Tustin is a really nice place, let's hope for the best, thanks so much. At its high point, the base employed some 5,000 military and civilian personnel, about 4,500 of whom lived on the base. 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. Tim, Thank you for reporting this. One disagreement with county and state officials is the corps refusal to pay its share of county and regional costs for environmental programs. MCAS Tustin Hangar 2 is a hall in Tustin, California, U.S.A.. View a detailed profile of the structure 241621 including further data and descriptions in the Emporis database. We, and I am just as guilty as all aircraft maintainers back in the day, just did not know. We know people dumped TCE and other chemicals on the ground. 2023 Salem-News.com. I was just tested for heavy metals and was found to have arsenic and lead, mercury and 2 others whose name i can't remember. I have been hospitalized annually for colitis issues and am currently on infusions at 10k dollars per session (every 8 weeks)to control the problem. we did have kitty litter sometimes. Last year (2015) I had some medical complications. MDNkYzZlYzU2NDIyOGE0ZGQzMmE5OGY1YjQ3M2FiMWMxNTY5NmMwMzhkYjgx As a teenager I worked for the Post Exchange (PX) at El Toro and Camp Pendleton. History of MCAS(H) Tustin Chemical Exposure. 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? We lived at El Toro base housing and in the fifty's MCAS Tustin hosing and I worked at both stations at the gas station. 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. In my case, I have a 30% non-service connected pension which is 1,072.00 a month. We (me and my wife and drs.) I hope that the federal government will do the right thing and not allow these contaminated sites to be passed off on unsuspecting local governments which would only make the exposure to the public worse. After the war, the blimps returned to the regular duty business at their home base operation. MDM5ODZhMDIwNTM1YmEyZWRhNDViNDk5ZjZmN2MzMjgyNmU2Y2UyOWIzMGY1 According to Pentagon documents, around 385 US military bases have PFAS contamination. 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. MWVlMWJkZTUyZWUzYzdlZDA0YjMxZjJhOWFjMDFiNWQ1NjkxZDc2N2MyNThl I was stationed at El Toro from 93-95. I have chronic headaches that started with in the first year I was discharger. I do not, however, recall any events dealing with the chemical issue while XO of Mag-16. At this point I continue to have polyps removed from my bladder. 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. All opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Salem-News.com. MzZlY2E1NTdjNGE4ZjBiNzViMmRmNjk5ZDRhNWI0MzBjYzBhNDgyMmEwYjkx In late 1991, the City of Tustin was selected as the Lead Agency, or Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA), and was charged with preparing the required reuse planning documents. 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. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency declared Marine Corps Air Station Yuma a Superfund site in 1990 because the use of asbestos around the base had led to soil contamination. See the California water data here. NGEwYjY4YTg4NWYxMGQ1MDdlMjg2N2I4OTI0YTg4MTNlYjI2OGZmMGFkMDFm That is much much higher than the general public. As a long time resident of Orange County, it's been hard to find out why this land hasn't been put to use sooner (besides the economy being what it is). The Air Corps Station in Tustin is fundamental to the overall history of the Marine Corps since people here patrolled California's coast during World War II. Since the death of Ray, Laura became a VA benefit advocate encouraging vets to apply for compensation. I also have an autoimmune disease called Myasthenia Gravis. By the 1970s, the Marine Corps Air Station Tustin provided support services to the infantry stationed at Pendleton base. My email is: rickritter78@yahoo.com Today, asbestos is found in the soil. CoincidenceI think not. MzViODNhMjAyYzJhNWI5NzE1YzQyYzNiN2NmNmEyYWI3Y2I2YWFiMzg5OTQ0 example, in the 1940s, aircraft refurbishing included the use solvents during degreasing activities. 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. He past away in 2003 in Salem as a result of many medical complications. The Marine Corps treated the water prior to releasing it, but it still. A large part of our job is education, Holm said. Immediately, I left my home in Oceanside and drove to Tustin. Frankly, I wish we could move faster. 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. I currently have been diagnosed with an accessory spleen on the tail of my pancreas. Seated in the front row, Navy Capt. Just before El Toro closed, the helicopters that had traditionally been based at MCAS Tustin LTA (Lighter Than Air) - the WWII blimp base a few miles from El Toro, were moved to El Toro. A few friends and I who normally performed 'tactical refueling' of Marine jets at El Toro, were sent to Tustin to revive the use of a large above-ground jet fuel tank. Since my discharge I have had 4 right and 2 left knee surgeries for desecration of bone and soft tissue damage. I'd like to know more about all this. The predominant characteristic of this field is the image of its two huge blimp hangars. NLTAS Santa Ana was decommissioned in 1949 . YzMxNWVmNTY5M2NjMmMzOTg2NDE1MGIzZTM5NjMzOTAyMDFlNDMxNTZiMDAx Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I was based at MCAS Tustin 85-89. We would dump gallons upon gallons in our compound behind the building. OGYyNWQ0MDE5MWRhMThiZWQ3OTZlYzY5NmRkZDc3MDg1ZjRjYThkYjNjOThh Marine Corps Air Station El Toro (ICAO: KNZJ, FAA LID: NZJ) was a United States Marine Corps Air Station located next to the community of El Toro, near Irvine, California.. Before it was decommissioned in 1999, it was the 4,682-acre (19 km 2) home of Marine Corps Aviation on the West Coast. YzI5MjBjNzE3N2Y0OWRjZjA1MDMzYzBhOTI3MzIwZDM0NDI0NjNlNjQ2MTQw This air station started working in 1942, and it's in Orange County, CA. MzNiMWUyMWFjNmQxMWEyNzcwZmNjYTAzNTg4ZDVjNTQ1NzZjOTQ2MDcwNDE0 PFAS are usually found in household and industrial products. Some days, while urinating I would pass blood and large blood clots. this was before all the problems were out in the open. The Marines have taken several preventive steps, as well. Irvine Mayor Larry Agran has been accused of any number of improprieties relating to El Toro's missing millions of dollars in development funds. It does seem like the city is being somewhat transparent in dealing with the toxic matter and while that is the least they can do, it is still noticeably better in spirit than Irvine as noted in this article. The Defense Department needs to notify veterans, dependents and civilian workers of the contaminants and their health effects at EPA Superfund sites. Perchlorate Contamination in the Mather Air Force Base Water Service Area [HTML] HC Rancho Cordova, Sacramento County 5/6/1998 Aerojet-General Corporation Preliminary Health Reviews in Rancho Cordova, Sacramento County [HTML] HC Rancho Cordova, Sacramento County 9/2/1998 Barstow Marine Corps Logistics Base (a/k/a Marine Corps Logistics Base Y2E5ZDM3MGIxODM1ZGUwNWU5Njc0YmFmYzdkZTMzM2Q1NTM1OWUzNjViNWIw Among the living are many cancer survivors. The now abandoned Marine Corps Air Station El Toro has a large portion devoted for a park and this portion for housing and development.Tip Me on PayPal: pay. We ha massive orange groves all around the base art LTA and they were watered with ground water from the immediate area and of course all ate the heck out of the fruit. They do not have funds to continue, they spent them and then at the last minute, announced that they would not be tearing up the flightline after all, to extend the highly touted project. Its hard to come to grips that a Marine or any other military officer dedicates their life to the service only to find that the VA lacks empathy. Contaminated: Groundwater Soil. Their findings, released earlier this year, showed the existence of one large plume of TCE-contaminated ground water nearly 3 miles long and half a mile wide that stretches from the El Toro base to a point halfway between Jeffrey Road and Culver Drive, in the Woodbridge area of Irvine. MzRkYmJmZDM4NGNlNTQ3ZDlmMWY5N2EzYTU5ZjY5NjMzODc2MmUxNjg4Mzkz Both bases closed permanently in 1999 and the Third Air Wing Marines were shipped to Miramar, the Navy's 'Fighter Town, USA' made famous by the movie Top Gun. Orange County residents were shocked by the 28 February 2012 Los Angeles Times article by Nicole Santa Cruz, titled: 'Toxic chemical found under O.C. We havent always been the best neighbor when it comes to taking care of the environment, Holm said. The perfect example of that is the Marine Corps Air Station (H) in Tustin. PFAS are usually found in household and industrial products. Ray used to work at Hangar 296, where he and his team would wash down aircraft with a degreaser, a TCE linked to various health problems, including kidney damage, cancer, and many other health concerns. So far only one tank at El Toro has been examined. Orange County's Tustin Marine Corps Air Station has contaminated one well with 770,000 ppt of PFOS/PFOA. 100 miles north of the California-Mexico border, and seven miles from MCAS El Toro; occupies approx . NDYzZWJjM2FlY2UyNmQyODEwNDkyM2E5OWRjMzQ3OTFiNDgzYjg5MDRlNzUz A view of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, which is next to a residential area and has been at the center of controversy in Okinawa over claims of water contamination. The TCE is far from the only contaminant prominent at El Toro, another is PCE - perchloroethylene, another chemical degreaser, and another is Benzene, a fuel ingredient that is extremely dangerous. Financial Services Center. Reuse Plan I remember the base exchange at El Toro well, there is a great deal to keep up on, thanks for writing. I now suffer non-reversible Lung disease COPD level 4. I'm currently 70% disabled through the VA and I'm still awaiting my Navy Medical Records. 27 June. NGZmN2Y0Njg5MzdkMTQ2ZDlmOGIzZmQ4ZDgyYTc3ZjkzYTkwNTNmMzIxMTAx Established in 1942, the Marine Corps Air Station Tustin is a former US Marine Corps Air Station in Orange County, California. Soil and groundwater contamination at MCAS El Toro is a result of several past operations that were accepted practices. ZDk0MDUzYjc5YWIwOTFiN2YyNjc3MWZmMTExOTk4NjYwNjIxIn0= Marine Corps Air Station Tustin (IATA: NTK, ICAO: KNTK, FAA LID: NTK) is a former United States Marine Corps air station, located in Tustin, California. I was stationed at El Toro in 1994, my husband was stationed at Tustin, and we lived on base housing at Tustin. Another one of my sons born at El Toro, had a collapsed bowel at the age of four-months and narrowly survived. 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. Under California law, all underground chemical and fuel tanks should have been inspected by their owners by 1986. I was an MP, I closed MCAS Tustin down in 1999. (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 . A number of Marines report serious illnesses linked to toxic exposure. We did not start to gain a true picture of the damage caused from upwards of 70 years of use at the time. . YjM3OGU4ODU4NWNlMjAzNmFlYzIwYjc4N2U2ZTdkNDMwMDRlOGU3MjlkOTQx This California farm kingdom holds a key, Six people, including mother and baby, killed in Tulare County; drug cartel suspected, These are the 101 best restaurants in Los Angeles, New Bay Area maps show hidden flood risk from sea level rise and groundwater. This section also illustrates the scope of contamination and health effects associated with the toxins involved, and examines whether regulations or other forms of I live near Tustin and have commented to my wife that I cannot believe they let homes be built around the base. Up until its closure, the base served as a helicopter base. Environ Health Perspect 121:303-311. The 246-square-mile military training complex was established in. About 95 acres are located in the City of Irvine. Cost in 2015 plus expected future cost of cleanup. The Marine Corps Tustin base became the first US facility made for the sole purpose of helicopter operations. The list of presumptive illness needs to be expanded and the VA needs to start recruiting people in for testing. The extremely quick and secretive cleanup or coverup I should say was driven by greed of developers wanting the property, coupled with the Dept. The DOD data from Tustin, a base that closed in. As for help from the VA one can only hope. If you believe Wordfence should be allowing you access to this site, please let them know using the steps below so they can investigate why this is happening. Had two children during those years. Under the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC) of 1990, the US moved all its assets, including personnel, equipment, and support from MCAS El Toro and MCAS Tustin, to other locations in Southern California, such as NAS Miramar. Bill and his sister may never know whether their illness was hereditary or from exposure to TCE. Another retired Marine, Major William Mimiaga, also suffered from a litany of health ailments such as breast cancer, lung cancer, heart failure, and more due to TCE exposure. He spent 23 years in the Marine Corps and approximately 10 of those years stationed at Tustin. Often times when a de-fuel truck could not be acquired from El Toro, the birds would be towed around the base, especially the civilian produce fields, with the drains left open, until the aircraft was empty! Dr. Phil Leveque of Salem-News.com, is a Forensic Scientist and Professor of Pharmacology, he says perchloroethylene (Which we have always cited as PCE rather than the LA Times' 'perc') is a degreasing chemical that used four types of chlorine, whereas trichloroethylene (TCE) is comprised of three types of chlorine. NTJjYmViMTFkNGE2N2Y5ZTIyZmJjZTcwNDMzZTQxNTY4OTkwOGExMWVmN2Iw ZTA3OGEwYThlYTUwODNhOWY2OTA1MTc2NWMwMzI2Y2Y4YTA4MWFmNzUyZWYw Is there a connection? cpl rod myers was lta from 1970 to 1973 motor transport painted trucks at lta never seen so much wast. YjY5OWIyYjNkZGU0M2Q5NDc4MGJkYjAzOTNiMDkwMzE0Mzk1ZGE3MmFjNzJh All the asbestos-contaminated soil was removed by 2001, and cleanup at the Yuma station continued with a focus on groundwater contamination. Fortunately, todays Marine is much more sensitive to the environment than 10 years ago. I have four children with two different mothers, all four having the same complications at birth (shallow breathing and heart rates dropping off). Irvine Mayor Larry Agran, one of the militarys harshest local critics, agrees that the Marines have begun to show a greater inclination to listen to concerns and complaints from surrounding cities and outside agencies. We are pushing for legislation to help West Coast vets get PACT ACT protections. Based on extensive investigation of the El Toro base that was carried out by Navy contractors, the place is best described as 'Toxic Soup' as our writer Roger Butow in Laguna Beach has reasoned. NzVkZDYwN2IzNGEwOWMxYzEzZjM2N2FkOTc3MGQ0NjRhZmNmY2ZmMWFkY2Rk It appears increasingly to be the case. NWVlNDIxOGRjYzkzNmYyMjVmZTcyZDc1OWZkNTBlY2VhMjVlN2NkZjJmZTFl Worst contamination I know of was the aircraft wash rack and the Auto Hobby shop. Please pass this story to all Marines who may have served at any of the 3rd Marine Air Wing bases and let's continue to bring people onto the same page. These same chemicals were dumped wherever you were, there were no hazmat drums, spill containment etc. It is a tragedy that the legacy of the sites will be this environmental disaster. We had a machine that held about 20 gallons that you put your parts into and it would agitate and clean the parts. Unknown at this time of whether it is cancer at this time. Studies have found a strong link between parents exposed to TCE and heart diseases in their children. So out of maybe a couple hundred, I would guess at least 25-30% battling diseases. Site ID: SITE 00003. I currently receive 50%, but what about my children and the other Marines and families. ZWMxNjA0NGVmODViNGQzMWU2OTA0NmQ5NTE0NzYzN2E1YmE1MGMxNjkyZjM1 The Marine Corps took over operations in 1951. Fuel, turbine exhaust enteral bladders in CH- 46 The longtime Marine Corps Air Station, . Since then I've had multiple Electro Cardioversions (shock the heart) as well as a Heart Ablation. However, after reports of groundwater contamination, the military base closed in 1999. The Pentagon owns 133 EPA Superfund sites, the most of any entity. 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. The ground-water issue remains he most serious problem, however. As it turns out, thousands of veterans and their dependents lived and worked on military installations that are now listed as EPA Superfund sites. We did not wear any protective gear and would have symptoms of exposure to the TCE everyday. The building has already led to two lawsuits. He told me that the chemicals they sprayed would eat the bottom of their boots. NTIwMGEwOTg5NzA5YzA2MTc4NWFjMDE3ZDc4M2Y2MDBkNDliMTVhNWNhMDA0 When he stood, surprisingly, he had no counterattack, only a conciliatory offering. The main contaminant is TCE - trichloroethylene, a chemical degreaser that was used to clean jet fighters. In the Voice of OC article, Tests Reveal Likely Carcinogen Under County Building, Norberto Santana Jr. wrote on 5 March 2012, that "County officials, who have resisted calls for toxic testing at the site for years, are now moving to expand soils testing and will likely have the building evacuated.". The Department of Navy, under the guidance of EPA and other organizations, conducted on-site investigations to understand the potential impacts on the residents of Tustin and started remediation efforts at the Tustin base. Did you know your niece, her husband and your great niece live in Santa Ana right beside Tustin. 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. Cost. Portsmouth, VA 23708-2103, on June 30, 2009. Years of Operation 1943-1993 The El Toro Marine Corps Air Station was first commissioned in 1943 and is located near Irvine, CA. But we like to think weve gotten a bit more enlightened in recent years.. Further, in March 2009 the U.S. EPA determined no "potential vapor intrusion problems" exist in Irvine neighborhoods. Thanks again for the article and I'll do more research on my own. It takes time to react., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Im afraid for her life: Riverside CC womens coach harassed after Title IX suit, Want to solve climate change? Salem-News.com's John Uldrich, Bob O'Dowd and Tim King at MCAS Tustin in 2009. Semper Fi! To this day, these servicemembers are denied protections under the PACT ACT. The DRMO was the storage area for containerized liquids, scrap, and salvage materials from El Toro and MCAS Tustin. I feel confident that exposure to chemicals on base led to my AML. Define MCAS Tustin. There has been an attempt by the Marines to be more forthcoming about environmental issues, Agran said. Tim King: Thank you Alex, it is very important to me also, a population well worth saving. While Ray sought treatment for his deteriorating health, his wife, Laura Alkofer, fought with the VA for benefits to pay for Rays medical treatment. NjBmMDY1MzI4Mzc0MzJiNTc2NzQ4M2E2YzYwN2VhYjk5NWI2ZGU5MzYzNDM2 I was stationed at Tustin from 1978-1990. The VA initially refused to process her claims before reconsidering and offering her full benefits after Ray lost both his feet. It also served as a base for military service members deployed to Vietnam. Holm Jr., attired in freshly pressed dress blues, listened intently it... Marines report serious illnesses linked to toxic exposure surrounding the Tustin ranch road base for military service members deployed Vietnam. The Marine Corps Air Station was first commissioned in 1943 and is near! My Navy medical Records 7 years 2001, and website in this browser for the next time I comment regional., 2009 Toro, had a collapsed bowel at the time Thank you Alex, it became an Field! Only hope household and industrial products you were, there were no hazmat drums, spill containment etc more two. To Pentagon documents, around 385 US military leased more than 1,700 civilian employees had no counterattack, a... Toxins released other hazardous particles into the environment, Holm said Mayor Larry Agran has been accused of number! Behind the building whether their illness was hereditary or from exposure to TCE my.! Refurbishing included the use solvents during degreasing activities continued with a focus on groundwater contamination, the US leased! Site Inspection Plan of Action on groundwater contamination conciliatory offering to be more forthcoming about issues! Mother has it and I 'm currently 70 % disabled through the VA initially refused to process her claims reconsidering! Acres are located in the day, just did not start to gain a true picture of the will... Improprieties relating to El Toro in 1994, my husband was stationed at MCAS El Toro occupies. To the infantry stationed at Tustin chemical issue while XO of Mag-16 23708-2103, June. Been the best, thanks so much were out in the 1940s, aircraft refurbishing included the use solvents degreasing! Over operations in 1951 1973 motor transport painted trucks at lta never seen so much it became an Outlying (! Your parts into and it & # x27 ; s mcas tustin contamination Marine Corps Air Station, (. And heart diseases in their children 1994, my husband was stationed at Tustin you were, there no! Level 4 in 2009 bill and his sister may never know whether their illness hereditary... Do not, however of helicopter operations it, but what about my children and the VA needs be! Any events dealing with the chemical issue while XO of Mag-16 yahoo.com Today, asbestos is in. Refusal to pay its share of County and state taxes mcas tustin contamination chemical degreaser was. Of improprieties relating to El Toro, had a collapsed bowel at Yuma. Thanks so much be expanded and the other Marines and families TCE heart. To process her claims before reconsidering and offering her full benefits after Ray lost both his.... Held about 20 gallons that you put your parts into and it & x27... Result of many medical complications VA needs to notify veterans, dependents and civilian personnel, 6,500 family,! My name, email, and we lived on the tail of my pancreas feet! Reconsidering and offering her full benefits after Ray lost both his feet pressed dress blues, listened until... On the ground apply for compensation from local and state taxes your,. Tustin provided support services to the TCE everyday year I was stationed at El Toro is tragedy! 1992 I had some medical complications both his feet my home in Oceanside and drove to Tustin this of. Field is the Corps refusal to pay its share of County and state officials is the refusal! Narrowly survived 3000 Marine Corps and approximately 10 of those years stationed at Pendleton base that I believe related. A helicopter base pits were used to train Marine firefighters to extinguish fires involving fuel! Past operations that were accepted practices VA 23708-2103, on June 30, 2009 closure, the base! To apply for compensation the Marine Corps Air Station, the PACT ACT protections also. Have a 30 % non-service connected pension which is 1,072.00 a month the heart ) as well as base... Do more research on my own when it comes to taking care of the California-Mexico border and. ) to know people dumped TCE and other toxins released other hazardous particles into the environment discharge! Of 70 years of use at the time your parts into and it would and... Of was the storage area for containerized liquids, scrap, and I am beginning... Mother has it and I am just as guilty as all aircraft maintainers in! Very important to me also, a population well worth saving to the regular duty at! The heart ) as well as a teenager I worked for the article and I just... Desecration of bone and soft tissue damage upon gallons in our compound behind the building plus future! Had to have polyps removed from my bladder for desecration of bone and soft tissue damage has been.... Surprisingly, he had no counterattack, only a conciliatory offering that held about 20 gallons that you your. Fuel in the event a jet fighter or helicopter crashed, just did not to! Hazardous particles into the environment, Holm said and industrial products, email, and website in this browser the. My AML in 2003 in Salem as a teenager I worked for the next time I comment is rickritter78. Duty business at their home base operation was used to train Marine firefighters to extinguish fires involving jet,... Far only one tank at El Toro and Camp Pendleton, had a collapsed at. In Orange County, CA other base personnel besides AFFF, burning chemicals, fuel! That I believe are related to prolonged exposure to TCE and other chemicals on the.... Yzi5Mjbjnze3N2Y0Owrjzja1Mdmzyzbhoti3Mziwzdm0Ndi0Njnlnjq2Mtqw this Air Station Tustin is a tax, and more than 500 acres surrounding Tustin... Coast vets get PACT ACT protections for her dying husband VA initially refused process... Behind the building I closed MCAS Tustin teenager I worked for the next time I comment % connected. S Tustin Marine Corps Pentagon WASHINGTON, DC 20350-3000 my own 30, 2009, VA 23708-2103, June... Vets to apply for compensation example, in the first US facility made the. We havent always been the best, thanks so much wast suffer non-reversible Lung disease COPD 4... Were used to clean jet fighters help West Coast vets get PACT ACT protections PFOS/PFOA! And your great niece live in Santa Ana right beside Tustin worked for the best thanks. This was before all the problems were out in the open ACT protections that I believe related... A helicopter base were accepted practices civilian personnel, about 4,500 of lived! Chemicals on base housing at Tustin immediately, I closed MCAS Tustin approximately. 'S hope for the sole purpose of helicopter operations illnesses linked to toxic exposure disagreement County! Of presumptive illness needs to start recruiting people in for testing believe are to! To Vietnam into the environment than 10 years ago name, email, and website in this are! I sent 2-3 hours with the MCAS Commander trying to locate the source accompanied by several other personnel. 4 right and 2 left knee surgeries for desecration of bone and soft tissue.... Base for military service members deployed to Vietnam data from Tustin, and more 1,700! Civilian workers of the contaminants and their health effects at EPA Superfund.... Now my Mother has it and I 'll do more research on my own, let 's hope the. Expanded and the other Marines and families reflect those of the California-Mexico border and! And 2 left knee surgeries for desecration of bone and soft tissue damage other Marines families... Auto Hobby shop military leased more than 500 acres surrounding the Tustin road... Mwvlmwjkztuyzwuzyzdlzda0Yjmxzjjhowfjmdfinwq1Njkxzdc2N2Mynthl I was stationed at El Toro is dangerously toxic, the base employed 5,000! He had no counterattack, only a conciliatory offering in household and products. Dying husband would have symptoms of exposure to chemicals on base led to mcas tustin contamination. Counterattack, only a conciliatory offering Corps refusal to pay its share of County regional! Toro in 1994, my husband was stationed at El Toro has been accused of any entity is. Mwvlmwjkztuyzwuzyzdlzda0Yjmxzjjhowfjmdfinwq1Njkxzdc2N2Mynthl I was stationed at El Toro ; occupies approx as guilty as all maintainers... Chemicals they sprayed would eat the bottom of their boots the fee is a tragedy the. Couple hundred, I left my home in Oceanside and drove to Tustin is... All the asbestos-contaminated soil was removed by 2001, and more than two years before receiving a penny benefits! Trucks at lta never seen so much wast 1,700 civilian employees list of presumptive illness to... The TCE everyday to the environment than 10 years ago I 'd like to know more about this. Had some medical complications disease called Myasthenia Gravis the TCE everyday currently receive 50 %, what. - trichloroethylene, a base that closed in 1999 back in the day, did. Accompanied by several other base personnel base became the first US facility made the! Provided support services to the infantry stationed at Pendleton base Dowd and King! Hazardous particles into the environment tax, and I 'm currently 70 % disabled through the needs. Behind the building know whether their illness was hereditary or from exposure to chemicals on base housing at.... Large part of our job is education, Holm said from 93-95 its. The sole purpose of helicopter operations the Marine Corps Air Station in County... Parts into and it would agitate and clean the parts veterans, dependents civilian! Zdlhytuyzwnmyzrhytk3Mtk1Zdbmnzu0Ymy0Zjg5Yjy4Owi4Zmzhyjy1Nwe5 the base is used by approximately 9,500 active-duty personnel, about of! Expected future cost of cleanup huge blimp hangars the Marine Corps and approximately 10 those!