El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, California

Until the closure of the base in 1999, El Toro was the largest Marine Corps air installation in the Western United States, with fighter jets training over the Pacific, and over ranges in the Imperial Valley and beyond. Even before the departure of the Marines the debate about whether to turn the base into a commercial airport or a park was one of the most talked about land use issues in Orange County. Ultimately voters passed a ballot measure authorizing the creation of Orange County Great Park, as well as multi-use commercial development.