El Toro Marine Squadron May Go to Persian Gulf

A squadron of El Toro Marines could be sent to the Persian Gulf as early as next week, a base spokeswoman said Thursday.

About 292 members of Marine Refueler Transport Squadron 352, based at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in Orange County, were put on standby and told they could be flown to the gulf in five to 10 days, spokeswoman Shannon Olsen said.

“That means that they are getting ready and probably will go,” she said. “But until we get the execute order, we won’t know for sure. They’re gearing up.”

Among other things, Olsen said, the Marines--who maintain and operate about 14 cargo transport planes--are updating medical records, getting their personal affairs in order and readying planes, she said.

If the order comes, she says, the Marines will be transported to Miramar Marine Corps Air Station near San Diego, where they will join about 700 other military personnel from that base and Camp Pendleton for the trip to the gulf.

Personnel from El Toro, Tustin Marine Corps Air Facility and Camp Pendleton were among those deployed to the gulf earlier this year, when an attack against Iraq was considered possible. More than 200 left Orange County on Feb. 23.