Flying over MCRD San Diego (August 25, 2000)
Having a bi-annual reunion nearby, the USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association flies YL-42 (restored Sikorsky UH-34D) over the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego shortly after graduation ceremonies.
Listening in on the air traffic comms, we never quite got official clearance to fly directly over the recruit depot. So, in classic Marine fashion, we made a wide, respectful bank around the area. Just one of those “gotta love Marines” moments.
I’ll never forget that day—flying in an H-34, legs dangling over the edge, taking it all in. Not only was it an incredible day to be flying in a beautifully restored Marine Corps helicopter, but the chance to pass by MCRD, where I had trained twenty years earlier, felt euphoric.
Back in the day, I spent several years stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, but I had never once flown in a helicopter. Opportunities came up once or twice, but I just hadn’t jumped on them.
Then, finally, that first flight in the H-34 rolled around. As we taxied slowly down the runway, the old bird started jumping and roaring, and before I knew it, we were airborne. I was one happy Michael Foxtrot, grinning ear to ear.
A BIT OF HISTORY ABOUT MCRD:
United States Marines have been stationed in San Diego since July 1914; however, a permanent Marine Corps base was not established until (then) Colonel Joseph H. Pendleton, USMC, campaigned to establish such a base in the area. Groundbreaking on 232.24 acres took place on 2 March 1919. Construction and occupation of the base took place from 1919 through 1926.
On 1 December 1921, Pendleton (now a General), placed it into commission as the Marine Advanced Expeditionary Base, San Diego. In 1923, the Marine Recruit Depot for the west coast relocated from Mare Island Navy Shipyards in Vallejo, California, to its new home at the San Diego Marine Base.
On 1 March 1924, the base that had been developed as a result of the vision and efforts of General Pendleton became, officially, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, and would be known by that name for the next twenty-four years. The base now consisted of approximately 388 acres, of which some 367.76 acres had been reclaimed tidal area.
Throughout World War II, the principal activity of the base, recruit training, overshadowed all other functions. After the war, the recruit training detachment remained the principal tenant. Official recognition of this fact occurred on 1 January 1948 when Marine Corps Base, San Diego, became the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Western Recruiting Region, San Diego.
E9 Semper Fi Master Guns!
Marines are not housed in quonset huts at MCRD. There are very few left but no one lives in them. Some are still used to store gear. Again, no one lives in them. That stopped in mid 80’s. At Camp Pendleton we lived in them during the early 90’s. I’m a retired MGySgt (30 years active duty service)
>I can't believe that in 2007 they are still housing boots in quonset huts! As usual, the Corps gets no respect (or money) from the government to do what it does best, MAKE MARINES!
>I first set foot on the "Grinder" 9-1-54
A lot has changed since then. I guess the wooden WW2 barracks we were in are long gone. I would like to see more pictures of the place I was born again.
>WOW! Talk about time travel. I can see my old hut and squad bay from 1969. And who can ever forget the Parade Field “grinder”? Great job Marines Semfer Fi!