Military

Yuma's bases play a key role in war on terror and in protecting the nation's interests

Yuma is far from the front lines in the fights in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the city's two military bases - Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and U.S Army Yuma Proving Ground - both make significant contributions in those campaigns, as well as the country's overall war on terrorism.

YPG

The important role YPG has played in the war on terrorism is recognized by politicians and military leaders now more than ever before, said Chuck Wullenjohn, a spokesman for YPG.

Built in 1943 to test river bridging equipment, the Army base today provides testing of weapons systems, vehicles and other military equipment before it goes to the battlefield.

"They have come to realize more and more about the realistic testing we do here in the desert and have come to rely on it," Wullenjohn said. "I have heard people at the Pentagon asking whether a system was tested here before it was deployed."

Located off Highway 95 and 30 miles north of the city, YPG takes in 1,300 square miles of desert terrain that is ideal for weapons testing, Wullenjohn said.

"Our role is to test the weapons systems and munitions we issue (to) our soldiers. We know the results of our tests save American lives."

Much of what goes on at YPG is classified, but often that technology goes directly to Iraq. Currently, the testing of unmanned aircraft and measures to disrupt roadside bombs is of high importance.

"This is a year-round task that has increased the past three years," Wullenjohn said. "We test technologies here that disrupt the signal that triggers the device so it won't explode."

In addition to testing the unmanned aircraft, YPG also trains the operators who will eventually go to Iraq or Afghanistan to fly them.

The base also hosts predeployment training for Marines and special operations forces twice a year.

YPG is also Yuma's top civilian employer. About 2,300 employees - mathematicians, software developers and engineers, for example - work there along with a small number of test and support soldiers. The base also contributes hundreds of millions of dollars a year to the local economy.

The base hosts a military free-fall school where students from all branches of the military learn parachute and free-fall techniques.

From mid-January through March, the Army's precision parachute team, the Golden Knights, uses YPG as its training ground in daily jumps. The public is invited to come out to YPG's Cox Field to see the jumps.

Indeed, the base gets about 17,000 visitors who come as part of tour groups or to patronize some of its facilities that are open to the public, including the Cactus Cafe and its military museum.

For more information on YPG's tours or events, contact the public affairs office at 328-6189.

MCAS Yuma

MCAS Yuma is the busiest air station in the Marine Corps and the third-busiest in the Navy. It supports 80 percent of the Corps' air-to-ground aviation training.

With a main runway that extends more than 13,000 feet and a new 14-story air traffic control tower, the base is home to 11 squadrons and units, including four AV-8B Harrier squadrons, a fighter jet training squadron and the Weapons and Tactics Instructor program.

At any given time, any of those squadrons or units can be deployed to various parts of the world, said MCAS Yuma spokeswoman Capt. Beatrice Yarrish.

"With the continuing global war on terrorism, the Marines and sailors aboard the air station maintain the highest level of training in order to play their role in support of the air station and the Marine Corps' missions," Yarrish said. "This is possible due to the support the Yuma community and military family members provide."

More than 5,000 Marines and sailors are stationed at MCAS Yuma. Of those, about 1,000 are deployed overseas, including Marines from the VMA-513 Harrier squadron that is attached to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Marines from VMA-214, assigned to the 31st Marine Exhibitioner Unit.

"The base also has individual Marines deployed throughout the world in support of other ongoing missions," Yarrish said.

Marines at the air station hold a variety of military occupational skills such as Harrier jet pilots and mechanics, ejection seat designers, air traffic controllers, military police, welders, cooks, electricians, engineers, doctors and lawyers.

MCAS Yuma hosts U.S. squadrons that come to Yuma from around the country to train on nearby bombing and aviation ranges administered by MCAS Yuma. With clear skies and warm temperatures year-round, flying weather is valued by Yuma-based and visiting military pilots.

In addition, MCAS Yuma is the only joint-use air station in the Marine Corps. Through an agreement between the Marine Corps and Yuma County, MCAS Yuma provides all air traffic control, crash crew services, security and runway and taxiway maintenance for both the base and Yuma International Airport.

Tours for the public are available, but MCAS will only accommodate groups of 10 or more. The base also hosts three guided bus tours during the months of November, January and March.

For more information about tours, contact the public affairs office at 269-2275.

Also, the base hosts the annual Yuma Air Show, a popular event in which pilots show off their aerial acrobatic skills as they perform for spectators.