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Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma Base Guide

Kena Sosa

Marine Corps Air Station Yuma is located in the desert two miles from Yuma, Arizona. This installation is home to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1, Third Marine Aviation Weapons units.

MCAS Yuma is also tasked with supporting weapons training for Navy and Marine forces. This military base guide for MCAS Yuma includes information on the surrounding area, child care, in-processing, and housing in the Yuma, Arizona area.

MCAS Yuma Base History

MCAS Yuma started when the federal government purchased over 600 acres in Arizona in the 1920s. This area would become a joint military/civilian operation known as Fly Field.

When America entered World War Two, the site was redesignated as Yuma Army Airfield, where it was a training site for single-engine warplanes.

After the war, the need for such training dwindled; in 1945, the base was closed and transferred to the federal government’s use as headquarters for the Bureau of Land Reclamation.

But the Korean War and the Cold War brought new training requirements, and in 1956 the site was transferred to the United States Air Force and renamed Vincent Air Force Base after Brigadier General Clinton Vincent, who earned his General’s star before the age of 30..

Vincent Air Force Base was reassigned to Navy jurisdiction in 1959, with the site becoming a Marine Corps Air Station three years later.

Today, MCAS Yuma operates as one of the Marine Corps’ busiest air stations. It still conducts weapons training; there are approximately a million acres of bombing and flight training ranges here. MCAS Yuma also provides about 80 percent of the Corps’ air-to-ground aviation training.

Yuma Surrounding Area

MCAS Yuma is about 160 miles from Phoenix, Arizona, and San Diego, California. The desert climate here can take some getting used to if you’re used to colder regions, but with the nicer weather here comes the ability to take in outdoor adventure travel and sports for much longer than just tourist season.

Golf is a major pastime here. Ironwood Golf Course and Desert Hills Golf Course are just two of at least nine golf courses in the Yuma area.

Fans of the outdoors will enjoy birdwatching at the Imperial Wildlife Refuge, and a visit to the western-style ghost town at the Castle Dome Mines Museum & Ghost Town is considered a must-see in some circles.

Local history buffs will want to see Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, with a historic prison facility that’s been around since 1876. Yuma Crossing State Historic Park is another excellent option. Those interested in early America should visit the Century House Museum, which features a collection of artifacts and exhibits focused on pioneer-era events.

MCAS Yuma Mission and Units

Marine Corps Air Station Yuma supports aerial weapons training. It has an impressive set of weapons ranges, and some 4500 Marines and Sailors are assigned here.

Yuma is home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 (MAWTS-1), Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1) and Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 (VMFT-401).

Important missions and units at the Air Station have included:

This base routinely supports approximately 600 aircraft and trains approximately 14 thousand troops annually.

In-Processing and Check-In

All who arrive at MCAS Yuma on PCS or TDY orders should check in with their gaining unit. Hand carry all travel orders, medical records, DEERS updates, and other crucial information to your inprocessing appointment once scheduled.

If you arrive after normal duty hours, report to Station Headquarters, Building 980. Call 928-269-2252 for assistance.

Child Care At MCAS YUMA

MCAS Yuma Child Development Centers provide child care on-post. Full-day, part-day, and hourly/drop-in care are offered with hourly care on a space-available basis only. Due to high demand, waiting lists may apply. You can make reservations or learn about waiting list requirements by calling 928-269-2350.

You may also explore child care options with the Family Child Care (FCC) program, which is a DoD program offering additional on-base care options provided by private certified and inspected family homes in base housing.

The FCC program operates on some, but not all, military bases and may depend on whether or not there is a participating community offering these services. Call the Child Development Center as soon as you have orders to MCAS Yuma to learn your options, waiting list times, and whether FCC is available at the time of your arrival.

Housing At MCAS Yuma

MCAS Yuma housing operations are privatized and managed by Lincoln Military Housing. Due to high utility costs in the area, on-base housing is preferable and you should expect elevated air conditioning costs for roughly 8 months out of the year compared to other assignments.

Temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit are not unusual in this part of the country. Due to demand, there are waiting lists for on-base housing. Call Lincoln Military Housing at 928-269-2826.

Unaccompanied service members with PCS orders to MCAS Yuma may not be required to live on post but doing so is strongly encouraged. Especially for those E5 or below or arriving at MCAS Yuma as their first duty station.

Related: BAH Calculator

PCS and TDY Lodging

MCAS Yuma TLF provides temporary lodging for those on PCS or TDY orders to the area. If you have PCS orders, you can make reservations as early as a full year in advance, otherwise, reservations are accepted 90 days out.

If you travel with pets, you may be required to stay in a local commercial hotel instead. Pet-friendly facilities may not be available, and it’s not safe to assume there is a place for your pet without reservations with pets specifically listed.

Call to make reservations: 928-269-2262. You will be given priority if you are traveling on PCS orders.

Transportation

Yuma International Airport is about 5 miles from the base. The usual ride-sharing, shuttles, taxis, and other options may be available depending on the time of your arrival, demand, tourist season, etc. It’s always best to coordinate your arrival with your sponsor for best results.

Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License

MCAS Yuma requires vehicle registration before you can use a privately owned vehicle on-post. Register at the MCAS Yuma Pass and Registration Office within 30 days of the report. To register, you will need the following documentation:

If you are on active duty you are not required to register a vehicle with the State of AZ.

MCAS Yuma Schools

There are no DoD schools on board MCAS Yuma. All school-age children attend classes in the off-post community. Typically, school choice options are based on location; many elementary schools in the area, five middle schools, and there are separate school districts for high schools.

School districts in Yuma include:

Contact the MCAS Yuma School Liaison at 928-269-5373 for additional information on enrollment, transfer, and immunization requirements. Transportation to local schools may be available depending on the school and your location.

Colleges and Universities

There are a handful of colleges in the local area, including:

The MCAS Yuma Education Center offers help for military members and family members to enter college, training, or other higher education opportunities. Call them at 928-269-3248. Services include:

Related: Ultimate GI Bill Benefits Guide

MCAS Yuma Contacts

MCAS Yuma
Ave 3E Main Gate
Yuma, AZ 85369-9132

Important MCAS Yuma Contact Phone Numbers

Related: Ultimate Military Benefits Guide

Military Bases and VA Facilities in Arizona

Find a listing of military bases, as well as VA resources and veteran facilities in the state of Arizona.  If you are traveling to Arizona on PCS orders, look up the BAH in your new duty location using our BAH Calculator.


PCSing to Arizona

The State of Arizona offers veterans a variety of services and support via the Arizona Department of Veteran Services. These benefits include tuition waivers for qualifying veterans and financial assistance programs.

If you plan on shipping a pet as part of a relocation to Arizona, know that summer months can complicate air travel for pets due to extreme heat. Military OneSource notes, “Airlines usually will not ship pets in or out from April to September. It is too hot and it would endanger your pets.” It’s smart to plan an alternative form of travel for your animals when relocating to Arizona in the hottest months.

Air Force Bases in Arizona

Army Bases In Arizona

Marine Corps Bases in Arizona

Get more info on VA benefits for veterans, retirees, separating service members, spouses, dependents, and disabled veterans. Learn more about the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon program, monthly housing allowances, VA loans, and TRICARE.

Did you know? The State of Arizona offers tuition assistance to veterans and dependents of those wounded or killed in the line of duty. According to the Arizona Department of Veteran Services, “Veterans and surviving dependents eligible for the Tuition Waiver scholarship have tuition expenses waived for credits needed to obtain an undergraduate degree in any course of study.”

Learn more about Arizona veteran benefits

VA Facilities in Arizona

Are you a veteran or retiree looking for VA facilities in the State of Arizona? The following list includes addresses and contact numbers for VA healthcare clinics, vet centers, and VA National Cemeteries in the state.

VA Health Clinics In Arizona

Payson VA Clinic

903 East Highway 260
Suite 2
Payson, AZ 85541-4972
928-363-1081

Anthem VA Clinic

41810 North Venture Drive
Building B
Anthem, AZ 85086-3169
623-249-2300
Mental health: 928-776-6071

Cottonwood VA Clinic

501 South Willard Street
Cottonwood, AZ 86326-8120
928-649-1532
Mental health: 928-776-6071

Northeast Phoenix VA Clinic

11390 East Via Linda Road
Suite 105
Scottsdale, AZ 85259-4075
480-579-2200
Mental health: 480-579-2205

Thunderbird VA Clinic

9424 North 25th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85021-2714
602-633-6900
Mental health: 602-633-6900

Carl T. Hayden Veterans’ Administration Medical Center

650 East Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012-1839
602-277-5551
Mental health: 602-222-2752 x2752

Phoenix Midtown VA Clinic

5040 North 15th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85015-3328
602-234-7080

Phoenix VA Clinic

1500 East Thomas Road
Community Resource & Referral Center (CRRC)
Suite 106
Phoenix, AZ 85014-5748
602-248-6040

VA Benefits Sites in Arizona

VetSuccess on Campus at Arizona State University

301 E. Orange St
Memorial Student Union, Lower Level, Room 75
Tempe, AZ 85287
480-727-5627

Phoenix VA Regional Benefit Office

3333 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85012
800-827-1000

Pre-Discharge Site, Luke Air Force Base

7282 N 137th Avenue
Luke Air Force Base, 56 MSS/DFB Building 1113
AZ 85309
800-827-1212

VA Vet Centers in Arizona

Phoenix Vet Center

4020 North 20th Street
Suite 110
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-640-2981

VA National Cemeteries in Arizona

National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona

23029 N Cave Creek Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85024
480-513-3600

Other Military Bases in the Continental United States:

Look up the BAH in your new duty location by searching for your zip code’s housing allowance using our BAH Calculator. You can also review our complete list of Military Bases by State.

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