MCAS Yuma is a United States Marine Corps air station. It is the home to multiple squadrons of AV-8B Harrier IIs of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 (MAWTS-1) and Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 (VMFT-401), an air combat adversary squadron of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing of the Marine Corps Reserve.
Location
MCAS Yuma is located in the southwest corner of Arizona bordering California and Mexico. Yuma is exactly 178 miles from San Diego, CA and Phoenix, AZ. Yuma has become one of the fastest growing cities. Military personnel assigned to Yuma will find the community both supportive and friendly. Cost of living is moderate.
View Larger Map
History
Yuma is one of the oldest cities in the southwest United States. MCAS Yuma was established in 1928. During World War II in 1943, an air base was erected with the astounding speed which characterized the war effort. The base became one of the busiest flying schools in the nation, training pilots of AT-6 single engine trainees, T-17 multi-engine trainers and B-17 Flying Fortresses. At the end of the war, all flight activity here ceased and the area was partially reclaimed by the desert. On July 7, 1951, the Air Force reactivated the base, and the 4750th Air Base Squadron resumed training as part of the Western Air Defense Forces. The airfield was named Yuma Air Base.
The facility was signed over to the Navy on January 1, 1959, and nine days later, Col L. K. Davis became the first commanding officer of the newly designated Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Station. On July 20, 1962, the designation was changed to Marine Corps Air Station.
Mission
Primary mission is to support aerial weapons training for the Atlantic and Pacific Fleet Marine Forces and Navy, and to serve as a base of operations for Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1 and Third MAW units, including Marine Aircraft Group-13.
Population Served
MCAS Yuma serves Marines, families, DoD employees and retirees. There are 14 commands that serve aboard MCAS Yuma, for a total of 3,991 military, with at least 6,716 family members.
Base Transportation
Currently, there is no base transportation on this installation.
Sponsorship
For any one requesting a sponsor prior to arrival to MCAS Yuma, you can request a sponsor in one of two ways. One way is to request a sponsor directly from S-1 Office at your gaining command. Another is to contact the local Relocation Assistant Program (RAP) office at 982-269-2425, to request a sponsor. RAP will then coordinate with your command and provide you with the name and phone number of your sponsor.
Postal Procedures for Inbound Personnel
The following is a guideline for personnel inbound to MCAS Yuma, AZ.
- All inbound personnel may utilize the designated inbound address of P.O. Box 92500 (preferred method) or their command address if known. This will only be a temporary forwarding address until the member arrives.
- Mail will be held at the Post Office until arrival.
- Upon arrival, any mail being held may be picked up by service member at the Military Postal Facility Bldg. 699. If the new join will be residing in the barracks (single or Geo Bachelor) then a different individual P.O. Box will be issued upon check in.
- Personnel residing in either on base housing or in the community (apartment or house) will have mail delivered to their place of residence.
- There is no personal mail delivered to the units. Only Official Mail is delivered to unit addresses aboard MCAS Yuma.
- POC for postal matters can be directed to 928-269-2162/3119.
Temporary Quarters
MCAS Yuma’s Temporary Lodging Facility welcomes active duty, family members, TAD, PCS, retirees, and sponsored family and guests. Located at Bldg. 1088, two blocks inside MCAS Main Gate. There are 48 total rooms all with access to private patios and a grassy courtyard. The suites feature kitchenettes and two queen size beds (28 rooms). Other units available feature a king size bed (16 rooms) and four Accessible rooms. Conjoining rooms include one regular suite and one King room. Free Wireless in all rooms. Note that no pets will be admitted at the Dos Rios temporary lodging facility. Families will be offered alternative lodging at local facilities which allow pet stays. Reservations can be made 90 days in advance. PCS families may make reservations up to one year in advance. PCS orders do have priority.
Rooms are priced at $60.00 for a King Room (sleeps 2) and $70.00 for a Double Queen Room with Kitchenette (sleeps 4).
For reservations call 928-269-2262.
Relocation Assistance
The Relocation Assistance Program provides assistance to all service members and their families who are relocating from one duty station to another. You may contact the Relocation office at 928-269-2425. The following services are available:
- Pre-Departure Planning Determining Needs and Priorities
- Destination Information (Welcome Aboard Packets)
- Sponsorship Assistance and Training
- Maps
- Welcome Aboard Brief
- Loan Closet
Welcome Aboard Briefs are offered 3rd Wednesday monthly from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Mandatory for all Active Duty and highly recommended for spouses and children. Great resources for on base and off the installation.
Critical Installation Information
MCAS Yuma is a desert town with plenty of sunshine (350 days out of the year). Average temperatures range from a low of 36 degrees to a high of 107. Since Yuma has ideal weather, snow birds like to visit from October through March to enjoy the sunshine. Snow birds are retirees that live up north and want to fly south for warmer weather during the winter months. During this timeframe, our population doubles and traffic is slow moving. Population of Yuma County (year-round) is 94,361. During the Summer months, starting in May, Yuma will be over 100 degrees and July through September can heat up when the humidity increases.
Housing rentals in the community become scarce during October through April, due to the increase of population. If you are interested in buying a home, the market is great.
Two domestic pets are allowed per household. Animals must be registered with the Station Veterinarian and must be under control of their owner at all times. Call 928-269-2888, Pet Registration, located in Bldg. 952.
All firearms must be registered at the Pass and ID Office within three days of arriving at MCAS Yuma.
No public city transportation with exception of commercial taxi.
SAFETY/SECURITY PRECAUTIONS: Motorcycle and moped course required. Contact Ground Safety at 928-269-5769. Helmets required on motorcycles. SECNAVINST 6055.4 of 22Nov94 requires helmets to be worn when bicycling aboard DoD installations. Other restrictions: walkers and joggers must be at least three feet off roadway.
Cell phones cannot be used while driving on base; only hands free devices may be used.
Contact Information
The base operator’s phone number is 928-269-2011.