Business as Usual Cloaks Emotions at El Toro Base : Defense: Closure recommendation for the Marine air station comes during preparations for 50th birthday.

The sleek F-18s took off and landed as usual Friday as much of the base activity appeared to be standard operating procedure.

But beneath the facade of normalcy, emotions among military and civilian personnel were turbulent following Defense Secretary Les Aspin’s official recommendation to close down El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

“Everybody has been coming to me all day and saying, ‘Charlie, it can’t be true,’ said Charles Walker, 70, a civilian worker at the Base Exchange.

On the other side of the sprawling base, pilots on the flight line said they had hoped that the closure recommendation would never become a reality.

“Even though we’ve been hearing a lot about this, it’s still somewhat of a surprise,” said one pilot, Lt. Col. Don Borje, 40.

Solemn and glum moods reigned over most of the base. Terri Wooton, a Base Exchange civilian worker who is married to a Marine sergeant, said she was unhappy because she had literally grown up with El Toro.

“I was raised in this area, and I’ve known this base all my life,” she said. “It’s going to be like history disappearing. There’s so much history connected to this base.”

Ironically, closure recommendation for El Toro comes as the base is preparing for its 50th birthday. The base is holding its Golden Anniversary celebration, which will be open to the public, at 4 p.m. next Wednesday.

El Toro, however, is by no means officially shuttered. Capt. Betsy Sweatt, the base’s public affairs officer, noted that the recommendation for closure is still just that--a recommendation. She said the decision makers in Washington must ratify the recommendation. And even if the closure is approved, Sweatt said, the phase-out could take as long as six years.

But those technical points did not bring much hope to military and civilian workers on the base. In interviews, most personnel said they think that El Toro’s days are numbered.

F-18 pilot Borje, who has been in the Marines 18 years, shook his head and said he seldom understands the reasons why some bases are picked for closing.

“Most of the guys think this is a great base: one of the best places to be stationed in the Marine Corps,” he said. “Great weather. The surrounding area is really good. And target ranges (for practice flights) are nearby.”

Two other Marine aviators, Lts. Anthony Slick, 25, and Keith Cutler, 30, said they were disappointed to hear the closure recommendation.

“As far as the local community goes, this is going to have an impact,” said Cutler. “First the loss of Tustin, now the loss of El Toro.”

Slick said: “I’m curious to see what they’re going to do with the land. I like this base. I hate to see it go down.”

In addition to serving the active-duty Marines, El Toro also has a busy role in serving retirees and visitors from other branches of the military.

Air Force Academy Cadet Jason Rishel, 21, was one such visitor Friday. He said he would feel a personal loss if the base closes.

“I grew up in El Toro and graduated from El Toro High School in 1990,” said Rishel, who is a sophomore at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. “I’ve watched planes take off and land at this base. In fact, I’m so interested in Marine aviation that I’ve been considering asking for a cross-commission (from the Air Force Academy) and going into the Marines when I graduate.

“So, yeah, this base has meant a lot to me, growing up here in El Toro and all. I’m kind of bummed at the announcement. Too many things are being cut.”

Why Close El Toro?

Here are the highlights of the Defense Department’s recommendation to close El Toro:

RECOMMENDATION

Close El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

Relocate its aircraft and their dedicated personnel, equipment and support to Miramar Naval Air Station and Camp Pendleton in San Diego County.

JUSTIFICATION

Naval and Marine air wings are projected to be reduced, creating an excess in air station capacity.

El Toro has the lowest military value, has no expansion possibilities, is the subject of serious encroachment and land-use problems, and much of its training is conducted over private property.

The closure allows the relocation of fixed-wing planes and helicopters in a manner that eliminates excess capacity and avoids the need for a new aviation facility at the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif.

The squadrons and related activities at Miramar will move to the Lemoore Naval Air Station near Fresno to make room for the relocation of the El Toro squadrons. The newly configured Naval and Marine Corps air stations would have an increased military value, compared to the current mix.

The Department of the Navy will dispose of the land and facilities at El Toro and any proceeds will be used to defray base closure expenses.

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

Total estimated onetime cost: $898.5 million.

Annual recurring savings: $173.9 million with an immediate return on investment.

Net savings for a 20-year period: $1.374 billion.

Savings in construction at Twentynine Palms: $600 million.

IMPACT

Projected employment loss: 0.9% of the employment base of the Anaheim-Santa Ana Metropolitan Statistical Area, assuming no economic recovery.

There is no significant community infrastructure impact.

Eliminates generation of hazardous waste and pollutants.

Removes special air space restrictions (such as military operating areas).

Reduces noise levels and air emissions.

Source: Department of Defense