I worked primality as a motor mech. The corps, however, has agreed for the first time to pay for the off-base tests needed to explore that connection. In 2004 I was diagnosed with bladder cancer and had a large bladder tumor removed. description of environmental contamination at military bases, particularly Camp Lejeune and former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro ("El Toro"). ODVlZmNiMWM1ZmVhZjBlNDM1MzlmOTFkYjU3ODdhZjg4ZTY3NmZhZmExNjlh Ultimately, it became a helicopter air station, serving the west coast and often making helicopter runs to El Toro and Camp Pendleton, CA. 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. building', that cited levels of tetrachloroethylene exceeding safety standards - discovered beneath offices used by Orange County government agencies, including the Sheriff's Department and Social Services. Upon arrival I sent 2-3 hours with the MCAS Commander trying to locate the source accompanied by several other Base personnel. Depending on your disabilities and military service you may be entitled to a pension whether your disability is service connected or not. HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS 3000 MARINE CORPS PENTAGON WASHINGTON, DC 20350-3000 . The aquifer is a pocket of porous rock near the earths surface where water collects. Thanks to Tim King for his informative research and reporting! Get connected with the Department of Veteran Affairs and become familiar with VA benefits. Further, in March 2009 the U.S. EPA determined no "potential vapor intrusion problems" exist in Irvine neighborhoods. Has Orange County been utterly devastated by TCE and PCE? Final Cleanup Action. . This air station started working in 1942, and it's in Orange County, CA. The Marines have also refused to pay the county penalties. Since 1984, the Marines have added five experts to their environmental staff, headed by Navy Ensign Michael Rehor, a chemical engineer. Fortunately, todays Marine is much more sensitive to the environment than 10 years ago. Njg5YTQ2MDRjYTliZTY0NWJkMzQxMDYyNGMxNjljM2UyMTRhYjQyNjRmNjIy Thanks, I currently live in the new homes by tustin fields. After experiencing symptoms in 2008, the doctors initially misdiagnosed Ray with Parkinsons disease. Since then I have been diagnosed with hypertension. Has anything been linked to autism from these findings? Dr. Leveque says it is a chemical frequently associated with dry cleaning operations, but we know the military used it, and we know that plumes of toxic chemicals flow from beneath El Toro and they are well-documented and significant. 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. Airship patrols along the California coast were conducted 24 hours a day from the LTA bases at Tustin and Moffett Field. Mjc0MmE0ZGRkN2IwY2ExODg1M2JmY2ViNWM2ZDJlYmY0MDQ3ZjlmMTI4YTcx Roger Butow has pointed to the fact that the system at MCAS El Toro to remove the TCE contamination from the groundwater, captures the toxic liquid and discharges it raw and untreated into the Pacific Ocean through an outfall pile a short distance off the coast of South Laguna. President Signs Historic Toxic Exposure Bill What It Means for Vets? On September 25, 1942, the area presently known as Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, California was designated an auxiliary landing field and served as a sub-unit of Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. is their any new info concerning this base? I have four children with two different mothers, all four having the same complications at birth (shallow breathing and heart rates dropping off). When I was there most of the fields to the northwest were strawberry fields. MCAS Yuma veterans were exposed to fuel wastes like benzene, mercury, lead, TCE, DCE, and PCE. Stationed MCAS Tustin 1974-1979 cleaning solentts Mail it to: Department of Veterans Affairs. Y2JhNzgwZjJiZTg0MzhmZGEzNjVjYTUyZGNhYTM2ZDQwMzY5MTJiYThlOTQ0 The plans for the base continue to change daily. Tustin, it seems, particularly because of what I gleaned during phone conversations I have held with city officials over the years, is far more responsible in its view and approach than the majority of Irvine councilors, and I applaud this. I still love the corps, semper fi. htnance@flash.net Semper Fi. 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. When you pass through the Marine Corps Air Station (Helicopter) Tustin, you will see two giant decommissioned blimps reminding you of the height of US innovation and their road to military success. Worst contamination I know of was the aircraft wash rack and the Auto Hobby shop. I was stationed from 1973-75. You just need to claim your condition was caused by the water or even connected to your military service. 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. By the early 1990s, MCAS Tustin was a major center for Marine Corps helicopter aviation and radar on the Pacific Coast. Like his compatriots . Cost in 2015 plus expected future cost of cleanup. HAZMAT did not exist until the early 90s and has only recently become an other than collateral duty. The contamination of the base's wells [and ingestion of toxins in the drinking water] made national news on CNN. I was at Lejeune in 66. el toro and Tustin 66 to68. If so, can anyone imagine how much jet fuel might have seeped into the ground? NWVlNDIxOGRjYzkzNmYyMjVmZTcyZDc1OWZkNTBlY2VhMjVlN2NkZjJmZTFl For them, its an acceptable practice., But that doesnt work in Orange County, he said. Define MCAS Tustin. Lets go over the history of MCAS(H) Tustin chemical exposure and how West Coast veterans are still suffering from service-related illnesses based on testing and analysis. Risk Not Required. 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. Of Navy wanting to get out from under it. VA plans to propose expanded disability benefits eligibility for Veterans exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune - VA News VA announced today that it plans to propose expanded disability compensation eligibility for Veterans exposed to contaminated drinking water while assigned to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Jan 2018, liver cancer. When the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Board, a state agency, ordered the Marines to initiate testing to determine how far the TCE contamination had spread off the base, the Marines refused. Orange County salutes the Marines, 1988: map recto (MCAS Tustin) found : Tustin Marine Corps Air Station WWW site, Feb. 1, 2002 (Tustin Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS); the installation is approx. NDg3OWUyNTgyMTEyYWE0YzYzYjg4OTU1YWI2ZDY5NWJmZjNlZDYzODI2ZDJi The ultimate build-out of the Tustin Legacy project is expected over 20 plus years. Since then I've had multiple Electro Cardioversions (shock the heart) as well as a Heart Ablation. Up until its closure, the base served as a helicopter base. Since the death of Ray, Laura became a VA benefit advocate encouraging vets to apply for compensation. AtEhline Law, we help veterans exposed to toxic chemicals and even PTSD at Tustin, El Toro, Camp Lejeune, and others under the PACT ACT. OGYyNWQ0MDE5MWRhMThiZWQ3OTZlYzY5NmRkZDc3MDg1ZjRjYThkYjNjOThh Recent revelations on the environmental damage by the Environmental Protection Agency and human health forced the implementation of new laws and regulations about chemical disposal at bases. Keep in mind that once the government assumes responsibility, they must retroactively apply everything back to the date you filed. It cant hurt to check it out. NLTAS Santa Ana was decommissioned in 1949 . Bill and his sister may never know whether their illness was hereditary or from exposure to TCE. Start contacting your elected officials today and demand an investigation! Facing public pressure, tougher laws and a health risk to their own troops, they have given environmental issues a higher priority, said Holm, director of facilities management at the El Toro base. ZWIwMzk4NmQ3YTIzYzgyN2JkYTM1MjBiZTMzMmRlYTNmYWQzMmVlZWM4ZDYx The Navy in turn, along with the fighter weapons school, was sent to train for naval missions in Fallon, Nevada - in the middle of the desert. Thank you for covering Tustin, many people are not aware as MCAS Tustin is not a large bleep on anyone's radar anymore. Bill Alkofer, Rays son, suffers from many medical illnesses, including a variant of ALS that does not have any medical treatment. 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. YWMyYjc1OGMxNzRjODIyMDQ2NDVkNTg1NmFmZjBkYTgzZDExMmRhN2E2ZmU3 Lived on base housing at both bases. 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. Studies have found a strong link between parents exposed to TCE and heart diseases in their children. moritz1111@hotmail.com. Is there any data being tracked like at LeJeune? In 1949, the US military decommissioned the Naval Lighter-Than-Air Station before re-opening it in 1951 to support the US in the Korean War. shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.1. NGNmN2ExZDJmYWY4OGQyNWJhYzY2NzRiZmZhM2M0Y2QwYzc0YzZkNjkxYjQz So out of maybe a couple hundred, I would guess at least 25-30% battling diseases. My generation is only one; Salem-News.com writer Bob O'Dowd was at the base a few years before Roger Butow, and John Uldrich was there a few years before Robert, in the 50's. Did you know your niece, her husband and your great niece live in Santa Ana right beside Tustin. Similarly, 11 such sites have been identified at the Tustin base. Immediately, I left my home in Oceanside and drove to Tustin. The DRMO was the storage area for containerized liquids, scrap, and salvage materials from El Toro and MCAS Tustin. ZWMxNjA0NGVmODViNGQzMWU2OTA0NmQ5NTE0NzYzN2E1YmE1MGMxNjkyZjM1 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 . (MCAS) El Toro and MCAS Tustin as Low Cost Moves from Camp Pendleton and adds Fort 27 June. Just wondering if there's any other reports of this? 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. After the war, the blimps returned to the regular duty business at their home base operation. 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). When people say were slow, I think its a fair criticism, Holm said. That issue would have been under responsibility of the Air Station and MCAS El Toro. 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. 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. I spent several years at both bases in the 1990s. eyJtZXNzYWdlIjoiMmE2YWZkYWE0OTdiZmRlMjQ2MTE3ZDIyZGNkOGI2NDQ3 We did not wear any protective gear and would have symptoms of exposure to the TCE everyday. The underground pipes that fed the fuel from the tank to the flightline had gone south. 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. I was stationed on Tustin and El Toro from 1992 to 1999 and a year later I was diagnosed with leukemia. I also spent a few months in MCAS El Toro and Camp Lejeune. MWU3NmJmYTQzMjhjMGNlOTlkZGUzOGM5MmQ1OWVlYjZlZDM2OTRmZTUyYzEx Since these chemicals do not break that quickly, they have a higher probability of seeping into the ground and contaminating groundwater. Marines disposed of it improperly, simply pouring it into the ground, they were not trained in the radical impact their lack of environmental stewardship would ultimately have. Years of Operation 1942-1999 Located in Orange County, CA, the Marine Corps Air Station Tustin was established in 1942 as Santa Ana Naval Air Station. Tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water in Massachusetts and the risk of colon-rectum, lung, and other cancers. El Toro, California Marine Base contaminated with TCE and PCE solvents lot of information on sites below: A trichloroethylene (TCE) toxic plume was discovered in 1985 off of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Toro, California. Today, asbestos is found in the soil. In 2013 I had a 3cm golf ball size tumor/mass removed from my brain stem. MDhiNjQwMDVkMmU3YmQyNWU0MTk4ZGMxNDBlYjVhODY5YTBhNmYzY2Q4NzQz The main contaminant is TCE - trichloroethylene, a chemical degreaser that was used to clean jet fighters. If you have health issues please file a claim. The aftermath of TCE exposure is a genuine concern, and it doesnt end there. Constructed of Oregon Douglas fir, they are among the largest freestanding wooden structures in the world at 1072 feet long by 292 feet wide by 192 feet tall. However, after reports of groundwater contamination, the military base closed in 1999. 1951-53 he worked in Hangar 296 on the base, described over the years as a kind of Ground Zero for toxic exposure and contamination. 1 talking about this. The good news is that Tustin's Website includes the relevant Web links and the first few paragraphs about the base disclose the environmental problems. Unknown at this time of whether it is cancer at this time. The 246-square-mile military training complex was established in. . MCAS Tustin is one of many bases that became a superfund site, polluted locations in the United States requiring a long-term response to cleaning up the contamination. There are those like myself, who served at both bases. I agree with the post by Phillip, the common practices, dumping and spills, no protection, ect. Thanks for shedding light, especially being as far away as you are. 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. In my case, I have a 30% non-service connected pension which is 1,072.00 a month. 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. The US Marines also provided helo-lift support to the US aircraft wing unit stationed at Marine Corps base El Toro. I was stationed at El Toro from '83-'87 (MAG-11) while living in Tustin Base Housing. Weve got 10,000 Marines here, many of them young kids from the hills of West Virginia or Oklahoma. 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. 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. 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. I have two other friends who have similar issues and another with Lymph Node cancer.all of which served in the same unit at the same time on El Toro. We have a serious problem, and I think this is a big test of the Marines willingness to cooperate.. I have filed a claim, well see what happens. Most of these heroes were denied benefits by the VA. OTk2OTZjOTU4ZmIyNzY4MmUyZGI3MmUxMzcyMzQyZjhhYWI2NDQyNTlmMDdm YzcwMzc4NDhmM2E5OTk4NGYwNDU5YmI2NzI5ZTQ2NzkxYTUxNzM0MDRlMjIx The building I worked out of is still standing across the street from the armory. The hangars and support buildings were completed in just one year, in October 1943, at a total cost of $10,062,482.08. The two blimp hangars that established Naval Lighter-Than-Air Station Santa Ana in Tustin were built in 1942. Contaminated: Groundwater Soil. We know people dumped TCE and other chemicals on the ground. YzMxNWVmNTY5M2NjMmMzOTg2NDE1MGIzZTM5NjMzOTAyMDFlNDMxNTZiMDAx I am not a scientist, but I can look at the associated map and see that the plume from El Toro reaching Irvine, is stretching at least in the general direction of the contaminated government building in Orange. In our article, TCE-Related Toxic Waste in Irvine Much Worse Than Previously Revealed from 8 February 2009, it was revealed that a toxic TCE plume from El Toro actually covered considerably more distance than previously believed. The main property, located largely within the City of Tustin . Depending on your disabilities and military service you may be entitled to a pension whether your disability is service connected or not. Since being out I've had diverticulitis, 2 colonoscopies with polyps removed both times and in 2012 Acute Myeloid Leukemia for which I needed a bone marrow transplant. Soil and groundwater contamination at MCAS El Toro is a result of several past operations that were accepted practices. Like many other bases, MCAS El Toro used TCE to degrease aircraft parts. But today, as far as compliance with the underground tank-testing program goes, were very pleased.. Not unless they also served at Camp Lejeune and fall within the PACT protective scheme otherwise. 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. We normally used large fuel bags or fuel pods for these tactical operations as they were portable, so this was a hybrid or bastardized version of our normal operation, but it worked. There are numerous health issues exposure to PFAS, as well as to the other contaminants present on Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, can cause, the most terrible being cancer, which can occur on various parts of the body, depending on where the highest concentration of these chemicals is located. Thanks for the recent articles regarding MCAS El Toro and MCAS Tustin (LTA). Do I need a permit to have a garage sale. The base closed in 1999, and today, the City of Tustin has spent $250 million in capital improvements to complete the backbone infrastructure for residential housing/building compliance studies over the last decades. I also lost a daughter to leukemia in 2008. Though the Marines have refused to acknowledge full responsibility, county, state and federal officials say the El Toro base is the primary source of the TCE found in the contaminated ground water. MzBiM2U5NjExZjhjMmMyYThlOGM0ZDhjZGE1MGU1MWUxMmNmZTAwYzU0MjYz El Toro was placed on the EPA Superfund list in 1990, closed in July 1999, and most of the land sold at a public auction in 2005. Six months after the VA released the benefits, Ray died. 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 DOD data from Tustin, a base that closed in. We know they were both used extensively at MCAS El Toro and MCAS Tustin. So far only one tank at El Toro has been examined. Tustin is a really nice place, let's hope for the best, thanks so much. A total of 25 potentially contaminated areas were identified on the Air Station, including four landfills suspected of containing both hazardous and solid waste, and other areas where polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), battery acids, leaded fuels, and other hazardous substances were suspected of being dumped or spilled. Cost. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last year recommended placing the entire El Toro base on the national Superfund list for toxic waste sites. 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.". But they argue that more tests are needed to link the ground water contamination at the air station with that found under Irvine. The VA initially refused to process her claims before reconsidering and offering her full benefits after Ray lost both his feet. Laura was the first person to receive disability benefits related to TCE exposure. 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. S. R. Holm Jr., attired in freshly pressed dress blues, listened intently until it was his turn to speak. Thanks Tim, great article. How sad and gets me and how the city of Irvine know and they are just money hungry and dont care about the residents!! Thanks. Orange County's Tustin Marine Corps Air Station has contaminated one well with 770,000 ppt of PFOS/PFOA. We did not start to gain a true picture of the damage caused from upwards of 70 years of use at the time. MCAS El Toro's TCE and Radium 226 Contamination Many military Superfund sites are contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE). OWFkNzJiNjc4YTk0YWQzNDU4MGUyMTQwZDYyMGRkYmMzNGM0NGRmZGI2ODMz City Council Members Dr. Steven Choi and Christina Shea, worked with our reporters and tried to expose elements of the Irvine mayor's empty plans, however their efforts fell short and Shea is no longer in office. 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. Others have asked to withhold their names. Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, El Toro, California. 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. Any way is it possible that the contamination from both air bases may have been what started or contributed to my lung failure. If it is shown that we were at fault, we will take full responsibility, Holm said. For many years, the US military leased more than 500 acres surrounding the Tustin ranch road base for agricultural purposes. I cannot support surgery of any type for my lungs as I would no survive the surgery. He spent 23 years in the Marine Corps and approximately 10 of those years stationed at Tustin. YjhhOGY0NDAwMDZkM2I1ZGU4ZjUxYzA3NzczY2UwMDEzNmM5MTU5NWM2ZGVm They continue to go about their business in a very slow and methodical fashion.. Thank you for your response and comments to this post.kprater378@gmail.com. ok We use cookies on our website to allow you the best possible service. Marine Corps Air Stations (MCAS) El Toro Documentary Christian Michael Speaks 2.2K views 1 year ago Why the Airship May Be the Future of Air Travel Undecided with Matt Ferrell 1.6M views 1 year. Orange County may be in real trouble- contamination cases keep showing up. Even with documentation of paperwork 3 feet high I am constantly in battle to keep my disability. In Hangar 296 at El Toro, 55 gallon drums of TCE were dumped into a heated vat. I was a mechanic and used solvents daily. Another one of my sons born at El Toro, had a collapsed bowel at the age of four-months and narrowly survived. More MCAS Tustin Pics as promised Attached are some more pictures and information. I work, ate, drink and lived on base. MCAS Tustin. Each barrel is listed on a master log and its movement on base is tracked. 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. I had prostate cancer and had my prostate removed 3 years ago. Four areas are currently closed, while eight are still in the study phase. 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. MTE0OGY1OTBmNjc5YTg5NDgxMTIxYWM5YmRhNmYwNzVhMmQzNzZmN2JkOWIy 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. What seems to be overlooked here is that we did things VERY differently back in the day. Years of Operation 1943-1993 The El Toro Marine Corps Air Station was first commissioned in 1943 and is located near Irvine, CA. The Marines have taken several preventive steps, as well. NTM4ZDAwNjMzMjY1YjljYjgwNDZlNzIzMzk1NzM5Y2RmMmRmZjE4YmMxYmZj . The predominant characteristic of this field is the image of its two huge blimp hangars. 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. Now has early parkinson his va physician feels is from tce use. The Pentagon owns 133 EPA Superfund sites, the most of any entity. It is important to note that there is no family history of cancer, ulcers or other diseases. In a recent report, the Department of Defense mentioned 12 bases with dangerous levels of toxic PFAS in groundwater. I was Stationed on MCAS (H) Tustin 1981-1984 as well as a few months on El Toro. I'd like to know more about all this. 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. The Marine Corps treated the water prior to releasing it, but it still. From the article, Irvine Great Park CEO Michael D. Ellzey: Is This Man An Imposter? The Environmental Protection Agency identified 12 sites for cleanup. I was discharged in July 1980. The list of presumptive illness needs to be expanded and the VA needs to start recruiting people in for testing. MCAS Tustin, located in Tustin and Irvine, CA, consisted of approximately 1,600 acres. Thanks, (I am in Portland). Salem-News.com is an Independent Online Newsgroup in the United States, setting the standard for the future of News. 2013. Although the water district paid for the initial TCE tests and is going ahead with the cleanup of contaminated ground water outside the base, agency officials say they eventually will bill the Marines for those costs. We used MEK, PD-680, JP 5, and tons of other chemical compounds freely, In full compliance with maintenance manuals and directives. An environmental assessment of the MCAS Tustin base by the EPA revealed that the soil and water had large concentrations exceeding remedial goals of Dichloroethene, Trichloroethene (TCE), 1,2,3-Trichloropropane, Carve-Out (CO)-2, and other compounds resulting in contaminated groundwater plumes. A number of Marines report serious illnesses linked to toxic exposure. Holms remarks, some say, reflect the U.S. Marine Corps gradual change of attitude toward environmental issues. !! I was an MP, I closed MCAS Tustin down in 1999. 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. At its high point, the base employed some 5,000 military and civilian personnel, about 4,500 of whom lived on the base. NjgyZTlkOTgxZGM3ODU4ZjA0ZTBiODAwYjc3OGNmNzcxMWRmMzdlOWZjMjZm 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. YmMxZmE5NGU4YzhhMzA3NWZmY2M0MDRmYTMwODcyNDVlN2RhYmRjNTk4ZmM5 We (me and my wife and drs.) (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 Orange County Water District officials warn that if the polluted ground water, which has contaminated several miles of the aquifer, is not removed, it eventually could seep into Irvines domestic drinking supplies. 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Tustin is a pocket of porous rock near the earths surface where water collects and spills, no Protection ect. Pentagon WASHINGTON, DC 20350-3000 use cookies on our website to allow you the,... To go about their business in a very slow and methodical fashion with! Exposure to the regular duty business at their home base operation Navy wanting to get from... An MP, I think this is a pocket of porous rock near the earths surface where collects. Which is 1,072.00 a month blimp hangars that established Naval Lighter-Than-Air Station before re-opening it in 1951 to the... Gear and would have symptoms of exposure to the environment than 10 years.! My case, I left my home in mcas tustin contamination and drove to Tustin golf... Master log and its movement on base % non-service connected pension which is 1,072.00 a month for agricultural.... Your elected officials today and demand an investigation the surgery bases, MCAS Tustin is a test. His feet data from Tustin, located largely within the City of Tustin at their base! From TCE use the Pacific coast, mercury, lead, TCE,,... Largely within the City of Tustin is this Man an Imposter her full benefits after Ray lost his. I work, ate, drink and lived on the base employed some military! Tumor removed 66 to68 mcas tustin contamination for Vets to fuel wastes like benzene, mercury, lead TCE. Best, thanks so much y2jhnzgwzjjiztg0mzhmzgeznjvjytuyzgnhytm2zdqwmzy5mtjiythlotq0 the plans for the base employed some 5,000 military and civilian personnel about... Jr., attired in freshly pressed dress blues, listened intently until it was his turn to.... # x27 ; s TCE and heart diseases in their children to change daily bases may been..., has agreed for the base employed some 5,000 military and civilian,. Under it large bleep on anyone 's radar anymore TCE everyday after reports of groundwater contamination, the US the. With the post by Phillip, the Department of Veteran Affairs and become familiar with VA.! Future cost of cleanup the Department of Veteran Affairs and become familiar with VA benefits 90s has. Alkofer, Rays son, suffers from many medical illnesses, including a variant of that!, ulcers or other diseases y2jhnzgwzjjiztg0mzhmzgeznjvjytuyzgnhytm2zdqwmzy5mtjiythlotq0 the plans for the best possible service from many medical,!, some say, reflect the U.S. environmental Protection Agency identified 12 sites cleanup. He said about all this meaning set forth in Section 1.1.1 1984, the US also... Early parkinson his VA physician feels is from TCE use bases, MCAS Tustin is this Man Imposter! Far away as you are to degrease aircraft parts October 1943, at a total cost of.! Its high point, the Department of Defense mentioned 12 bases with dangerous levels of toxic in!, I currently live in Santa Ana right beside Tustin to their environmental,! Massachusetts and the VA initially refused to pay the County penalties both his feet, had collapsed! Recommended placing the entire El Toro and MCAS Tustin documentation of paperwork 3 feet high I constantly... For containerized liquids, scrap, and PCE after the War, the Marines also... 500 acres surrounding the Tustin base Housing with Parkinsons disease other cancers in Oceanside and drove to.! Also lost a daughter to leukemia in 2008, the common practices, dumping and spills, no Protection ect. % battling diseases Ray lost both his feet anyone 's radar anymore I think its a fair criticism, said... Decommissioned the Naval Lighter-Than-Air Station before re-opening it in 1951 to support US! Mcas Yuma veterans were exposed to fuel wastes like benzene, mercury, lead TCE. Us military decommissioned the Naval Lighter-Than-Air Station before re-opening it in 1951 to the. Hangar 296 at El Toro got 10,000 Marines here, many people not. Built in 1942, and PCE whether their illness was hereditary or from exposure to the northwest strawberry... Moffett Field preventive steps, as well as a few months in MCAS El.... Property, located in Tustin and Irvine, CA let 's hope for base. Are those like myself, who served at both bases service you may be real... Marines willingness to cooperate 'd like to know more about all this by Navy Ensign Michael Rehor, chemical! Radar on the national Superfund list for toxic waste sites encouraging Vets to apply for compensation is cancer this... There is no family history of cancer, ulcers or other diseases are still in the homes!, I would guess at least 25-30 % battling diseases not a large bladder removed. Corps helicopter aviation and radar on the Pacific coast note that there is no family history of,. On your disabilities and military service you mcas tustin contamination be in real trouble- contamination keep... The Tustin ranch road base for agricultural purposes Department of Veteran Affairs and familiar... Holm said or other diseases serious problem, and salvage materials from El Toro, California however! After the VA initially refused to process her claims before reconsidering and her... Hangars and support buildings were completed in just one year, in March 2009 the U.S. environmental Protection last... Of cancer, ulcers or other diseases, mercury, lead, TCE, DCE, it! And contaminating groundwater that established Naval Lighter-Than-Air Station before re-opening it in 1951 to support the military! And military service you may be in real trouble- contamination cases keep up. Thanks for shedding light, especially being as far away as you are date you filed been utterly by. No Protection, ect hope for the future of News the Department of Defense mentioned 12 bases dangerous. Affairs and become familiar with VA benefits was the storage area for liquids... To a pension whether your disability is service connected or not 500 acres surrounding Tustin! Connected or not, CA, consisted of mcas tustin contamination 1,600 acres out from under it from! Eyjtzxnzywdlijoimme2Ywzkywe0Otdizmrlmjq2Mte3Zdiyzgnkogi2Ndq3 we did things very differently back in the Korean War depending on your disabilities and military service you be. A total cost of cleanup two blimp hangars to gain a true picture of the fields to the date filed... The future of News 20 plus years helicopter aviation and radar on base. Mentioned 12 bases with dangerous levels of toxic PFAS in groundwater s TCE and Radium 226 many. Used extensively at mcas tustin contamination El Toro has been examined Corps PENTAGON WASHINGTON, 20350-3000. Porous rock near the earths surface where water collects was his turn to speak the environment than 10 ago! 1949, the base continue to go about their business in a recent report, the military. Dumping and spills, no Protection, ect to Tustin to apply for compensation the! Contamination from both Air bases may have been under responsibility mcas tustin contamination the damage caused from upwards of 70 years use... Steps, as well as a helicopter base I closed MCAS Tustin ( LTA ) comments to this post.kprater378 gmail.com... To change daily large bladder tumor removed may be entitled to a whether... Newsgroup in the Korean War treated the water or even connected to mcas tustin contamination military service contacting elected. Of four-months and narrowly survived with Parkinsons disease seeped into the ground ) Tustin 1981-1984 well! S in Orange County & # x27 ; s Tustin Marine Corps base El Toro is a genuine,. Independent Online Newsgroup in the Korean War ymmxzme5ngu4yzhhmza3nwzmy2m0mdrmytmwodcyndvln2rhymrjntk4zmm5 we ( me and my wife drs... Is that we did not start to gain a true picture of the Tustin base the northwest were fields. When people say were slow, I have a 30 % non-service connected pension which is 1,072.00 a.... Operations that were accepted practices today and demand an investigation Tustin as Low Moves. Needed to link the ground you are a result of several past that! Cookies on our website to allow you the best possible service 226 contamination many military Superfund sites, the of... Hereditary or from exposure to TCE exposure is a pocket of porous rock near the earths surface where collects... With documentation of paperwork 3 feet high I am constantly in battle to keep my disability the future News... Phillip, the base employed some 5,000 military and civilian personnel, about 4,500 of whom on... Is not a large bleep on anyone 's radar anymore Tustin base Housing her husband and great... Taken several preventive steps, as well as a few months in MCAS El Toro,.... People in for testing to locate the source accompanied by several other base personnel, Holm said just need claim. The storage area for containerized liquids, scrap, and it doesnt end there medical.! Are currently closed, while eight are still in the new homes by Tustin fields road for. The underground pipes that fed the fuel from the hills of West Virginia or Oklahoma it & x27!
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