Same experience but a few years after you. Once I was in El toro (just before closing so BC era) and saw friends i hadnt seen in a while, loading some c130's with crates. I went in and spoke to them, and they said the planes were all going "south". WTF you working on?
They replied backing up the drug war (with an eyeroll) and "Warren Smith" needed some new toys.
If you're wondering who "warren smith" is, thats a joke moniker for the "clowns" at least then. War in Smith, Smith means anywhere they choose so to speak.
Reagan was done for when he got shot, then GHB and his people ran everything.