About MCAS
The History of MCAS Yuma
The year was 1928. The place - 640 acres covered with cactus, brush and desert wildlife, near Yuma. It was that year that Col. Benjamin F. Fly persuaded the federal government to lease the land from Yuma County. Three weeks later, a 20-year lease with an option for an additional 20 years at $1 per year, was signed. Fly Field became a reality.
Aviation was in its infancy, and Fly Field became the center of attention in Yuma. During the summer of 1928, it was used as a stopover point for 25 planes in a New York to Los Angeles air race. It was used sporadically by private aircraft until 1941 when the U.S. government, through the Civil Aeronautics Administration, authorized an expenditure for permanent runways.
When the United States entered World War II, an air base was erected with the astounding speed which characterized the war effort and by early 1943, Yuma Army Air Base began graduating classes of pilots. The base became one of the busiest flying schools in the nation, training pilots of AT-6 single engine trainers, 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. During the period of inactivity, it was controlled succesively by the War Assets Administration, the U.S. Corps of Engineers and the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Reclaimation, which used it as a headquarters for its irrigation projects.
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 airfeld was named Yuma Air Base, but was renamed Vincent Air Force base in 1956 in memory of Brig. Gen Clinton D. Vincent, a pioneer of bombing techniques, who died in 1955.
From Air Force Base to Marine Corps Air Station
The Facility was signed over to the Navy Jan. 1, 1959, and nine days later, Col. L.K. Davis became the first commanding office of the newly designated Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Station. On July 20, 1962, the designation was changed to Marine Corps Air Station. From 1962 until 1987, the air station served primarily as a training base for pilots assigned to Marine Corps Crew Readiness Training Group-10 flying the F-4 Phantom, A-4 Skyhawk and AV-8A Harrier.
Since then, the main runway has been extended to 13,300 feet (enough concrete for 37 miles of two-lane highway) and the Tactical Aircrew Combat Training System, has been added. The system is designed to provide realistic air-to-air combat training with electronically simulated weapons firing for all Navy and Marine squadrons.
In 1987, Marine Aircraft Group-13, with Marine Attack Squadrons 211, 214, 311 and 513 replaced MCCRTG-10 as the major tenant command aboard the station. The move also brought Marine Wing Support Squadron-371 to Yuma, joining Marine Air Control Squadron-7 and 2nd Light Antiaircraft on Yuma's ranges.
On September 1, 1994, subsequent to the deactivation of 2nd LAAM Bn., 1st LAAM Bn., was reactivated, consisting of H&S Battery and three firing batteries. 1st LAAM Bn., then merged with MACS-7 on July 11, 1997 resulting in the redisignation of MACS-7 as MACS-(Reinforced).
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About MCCS
Marine Corps Community Services
The Personal and Family Readiness Division (MR) under the staff cognizance of the Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs is responsible for providing policy, plans, resources, and direct support to Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) field activities for certain nonappropriated fund management and oversight functions, such as accounting, information technology, and construction. MR is also responsible for a number of military personnel services programs, such as: Casualty Assistance, DEERS Dependency Determination, Voting Assistance, Postal Services, and Personal Claims. MCCS delivers goods and service at over 2, 250 facilities and has a staff of more than 12,000 employees worlwide.
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Safety and Security
Air Show Security
-Vehicles the breakdown while entering will be removed to the side of the road until a wreker can come retrieve the vehicle.
-Vehicles that are left in the parking area after the conclusion of the show will be towed by a military wreker.
-All vehicles that are towed will be taken to the dirt strip adjacent to the Obstacle Course.
-Within a reasonable time, individuals will be able to retrieve their vehicles, otherwise they will be removed from the installation by a civilian tow company at the vehicle owners expense.
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Traffic and General Info
County 14 Entry-
This entry will be used for traffic that is coming from County 14, east or west bound.
Loesch Entry-
This entry will be used for traffic that is coming eastbound on 32nd St., then turning south onto Ave. 3E and for traffic coming southbound on Ave. 3E from Interstate 8.
Gate 4 Entry-
This entry will be used for traffic that is westbound on 32nd St. Traffic will flow south on Ave. 4E, west on County 13, then north on Ave. 3E.
Handicapped Entry-
All vehicles with handicap insignia will utilized the North Gate entry.
Exiting-
At designated times, entry points will be changed to outbound traffic. County 14, Gate 4, and Loesch Gate. Traffic will be directed out the closest exit point.
*No backpacks, coolers or weapons will be allowed into the Air Show.
There will be random security checks on carried items.
