MCAS Yuma

Marine Corps Air Station Yuma is located two miles from the city center of Yuma, Arizona. The station occupies approximately 3,000 acres and shares airfield facilities with Yuma International Airport. The facility was established in 1928 as Fly Field. During World War II, it operated as Yuma Army Airfield, providing flight and gunnery training for the Army Air Forces. After closing in 1945, the site was reactivated in 1954 by the United States Air Force as a training base for interceptor squadrons. It was designated Yuma Air Force Base in 1954 and renamed Vincent Air Force Base in 1956. Control was transferred to the United States Navy in January 1959, and the United States Marine Corps assumed control in June 1959. The installation was designated Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in 1962.

The station is operated by the U.S. Marine Corps under the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Units based at the station include Marine Aircraft Group 13, which operates squadrons of F-35B Lightning II aircraft, including VMFA-214, VMFA-211, VMFA-122, and VMFA-225. Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401, a reserve unit, operates F-5N/F Tiger II aircraft for adversary training. Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1) conducts testing with platforms including the F-35B, MV-22B Osprey, AH-1Z Viper, and CH-53K King Stallion. Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 (MAWTS-1) provides tactical training for aviation units. Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1 (VMU-1) operates the MQ-9A Reaper.

The station operates an auxiliary airfield on the Barry M. Goldwater Range and utilizes the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range. Infrastructure includes five V/STOL pads. Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron operates the UC-12F Huron. Other units based at the facility include Marine Air Control Squadron 1 and Marine Wing Support Squadron 371. Colonel Charles E. Dudik serves as the station commander.