MCAS Yuma is located in a desert town with plenty of sunshine. Average temperatures range from a low of 41 degrees to highs in the 120s. Since Yuma has ideal weather during the fall, winter, and spring months, Winter Visitors like to visit from October through April to enjoy the sunshine. Winter Visitors are retirees who live up north and travel 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 95,000 with an additional 91,000 Winter Visitor population in the winter months. During the year starting in March, the temperatures start to increase and can be over 120 degrees during the summer months. July through September can heat up when the humidity increases during monsoon season.
Base Rules
Two domestic pets are allowed per household on base. Animals must be registered with the Station Veterinarian and PMO and must be under control of their owner at all times. Call 928-269-6303 PMO for more information on pet registration.
All firearms must be registered with PMO within 24 hours of arriving at MCAS Yuma.
SAFETY/SECURITY PRECAUTIONS: Motorcycle and moped course required. Contact Ground Safety at 928-269-2965. Helmets required on motorcycles. SECNAVINST 6055.4 of 22 Nov 94 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.
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. The operator can be reached at commercial (719) 567-1110. Please note that long distance charges may be incurred.
Welcome to MCAS Yuma. Our 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. You will soon become an integral part of the Marine Corps’ premier aviation training base, serving along with approximately 4,500 fellow active-duty Marines and Sailors. With access to more than one million acres of bombing and aviation-training ranges and superb flying weather, MCAS Yuma supports 80 percent of the Corps’ air-to-ground aviation training. The air station hosts approximately 70 aviation units, bringing an average of 600 aircraft and 14,000 personnel for ongoing training that takes place throughout the year.
Originally incorporated as Arizona City in 1871, the town was renamed in 1873 to "Yuma." The Yuma Army Air Base was established in 1941 at a site previously known as Fly Field. Yuma Army Air Base began training pilots of AT-6 single engines, T-17 multi-engines, and B-17 Flying Fortresses. At the end of the war, all flight activity here ended, 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 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. For more information about our installation, visit our homepage.
The population in Yuma is 101,620 year round, with an additional 80,000-100,000 winter visitors during the months of October through April.
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma serves Marines, their families, Department of Defense employees, and retirees. There are approximately 5,300 military, 3,400 family members, and 2,200 civilian personnel aboard the installation, plus an additional 11,000 rotational transients.
MCAS Yuma is located in the southwest corner of Arizona bordering California and Mexico. Despite its remote desert location Yuma is 173 miles from San Diego, CA and 185 miles from Phoenix, AZ.
The Main Gate is located on Avenue 3E, which has access toInterstate 8, and is located about 173 miles east of San Diego and 185 miles south west of Phoenix. Take I-8 (East or West) until you arrive in Yuma.
When driving on base, be sure to have valid identification ready, as you will need to present it to the guard at the gate. Privately owned vehicles traveling on the air station are subject to vehicle checks by military police for current state and base registration and safety inspections.
Airports
Yuma International Airport serves the Yuma area and is located less than one mile from the Marine Corps Air Station.
Phoenix Sky Harbor -- 189 miles (3 hours, 12 minutes driving time)
Gateway Airport Mesa -- 209 miles (3 hours, 30 minutes driving time)
San Diego Airport -- 175 miles (3 hours, 16 minutes driving time)
Driving Directions from I-8
Traveling East on I-8: Take Exit 3 (Avenue 3E), then turn left at the signal. Go straight, then turn right to the Main Gate at the sixth signal. The North Gate entrance, which is for commercial vehicles only, will be at fifth signal.
Traveling West on I-8: Take Exit 3 (Avenue 3E). Turn right at the signal, then go straight, turning right toward Main Gate at the sixth signal. The North Gate entrance, which is for commercial vehicles only, is at the fifth signal.
Bus Transportation
Greyhound Lines service is available in the Yuma area. Limited facilities are available during station hours.
Currently, there is no base transportation on this installation. Phone numbers for duty officers are posted at the Yuma Municipal Airport for transportation to base from arriving flights directly to Yuma.
MCAS Yuma base operator can be reached at 928-269-2011.
Release 2024.03.06.1