Military AI Works

Some images from waaay back when I was stationed at MCAS El Toro in the early 1990s.

One of the very first F/A-18Ds in the USMC inventory (VMFA-(AW)225, I believe) It's parked on VMFP-3's old flightline (sacrilege!)


VMFA-323 Death Rattlers F/A-18A in for some heavy maintenance after Desert Storm


Being so close to MCAS Tustin was nice. Every day, we'd get flybys like this from CH-46E, CH-53D, and CH-53E.


A T-56 mounted on its Moon Buggy, ready to get towed across base to the outdoor test cell.


Speaking of test cell, here's an F404 ready to go. The indoor test cell was right behind that big tree in the background. Nice swab ringer in the foreground (lots of swabbing in the Corps)


A F/A-18B of VMFAT-101 in for some major work


Triple nuts




All kinds of visitors this day. Note the TAC badge on the Falcon's tank. I'm old.


Some CH-53E's taking gas from a VMGR-352 Herc.


It was normal to get visitors from the other services. Notice anything special in this pic?


A civil registered F-8 Crusader? Now THAT'S a nice ride!


AV-8B VMA-211 "Wake Island Avengers" from MCAS Yuma, making a visit


RF-4B of VMFP-3 "Eyes of the Corps"


A collection of parts and pieces. Some things belonging to an A-4, F-8, and MiG-15, I believe.


Yikes. It's me at age 19 in the driver's seat of a C-130A

Awesome! Thanks for sharing and an even bigger THANKS for serving!

Funny how the paint job on the Harrier is EXACTLY the same today as it was back then..... LOL!

Looks like those CH-46's have desert cammo on them? Is that from Desert Shield/Storm service?

Hey, that's a cool set of pics

Yes, the Phrogs were painted that way for Desert Shield/Storm. I think it suited them nicely. Thanks for the comments.

Great shots, might need to do some research on the F-8!

I grew up not too far from El Toro, I went to high school right under the approach path. I remember when a C-5 would go over we would have to stop class because it was so loud. I think the F-8 may have been from Raytheon or some other contractor. I think NG or Lockmart still have some A-3s hanging around up at Van Nuys.

Here's the Crusader

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Vought-F ... 0098079/L/
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled ... 1261102/L/

VMFP-3 used this car as a pilot shuttle. I think it's actual MIL-SPEC paint.