Location:
The Combat Center is located between two major east/west highways, Interstate 40 and Interstate 10. To get to the Combat Center from Interstate 10 East or Interstate 10 West, take Highway 62E (29 Palms Highway). Highway 62 will take you through Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree and finally 29 Palms for approximately 46 miles. Upon entering the City of 29 Palms, take a left on Adobe Road in 29 Palms (the first traffic light). Adobe Road runs to the main gate.
History:
The land has a history of military use dating back to 1940 when the Army used the area for training glider crews. Glider training ended in 1943 when the Army switched to training fighter pilots. At the end of World War II, the Navy used the area as a bombing range until 1945 when it was transferred to San Bernardino County. In 1952 the Marine Corps took charge and was designated Headquarters Marine Corps Training Center. In 1957 it was commissioned as a Marine Corps Base. In 1979 the Base finally became what we know it as today, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center.
Residents of 29 Palms have inherited a history that was first recorded nearly 130 years ago during the original exploration of what later became 29 Palms by Colonel Henry Washington. He found Chemehueiv and Serrano Indian tribes living in the surrounding hills and near the spring they called "Marrah", or land of little water, now known as the Oasis of Mara. These tribes which existed since times un-known, held to their villages even as gold prospector's flowed into the Oasis in the 1870's to camp and replenish water supplies. By 1913, the natives had almost disappeared. It is said that 29 Palms was named for the number of large, fine palm trees once found in the middle of the Oasis of Mara. The recording of 29 is attributed by various authorities to either Colonel Washington or to the gold miners. In the summer of 1885, however; a survey team counted only 26. Not withstanding, 29 Palms is what the community is known as today.
Mission:
The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center's (MCAGCC) two-fold mission is to operate live fire combined arms training that promotes readiness of operating forces and to provide facilities, services, and support, responsive to the needs of tenant commands, Marines, Sailors and their families.
The population assigned to the Base is approximately 12,000 Active Duty members, 13,000 family members and approximately 1,600 civilians.
The telephone information number to obtain command listing and phone numbers to the various facilities aboard MCAGCC is 760-830-6000 DSN: 230-6000.
All official activities aboard the Combat Center have an area code and prefix of 760-830-xxxx, unless otherwise noted. All off-base, local activities have an area code of (760).
Population Served
| Active Duty |
Family Members |
DoD/Contract |
Retired |
| 12,500 |
24,000 |
2,100 |
1,200 |
Sponsorship:
Regarding requests for sponsorhip, per MCO 1320.11e, please contact the gaining unit for sponsorship assignments. For additional information, please contact the Relocation Assistance Program at 760-830-4028 or email at joanne.ferraro@usmc.mil
Temporary Quarters:
For inbound married personnel, reservations can be made at our temporary lodging facility, The Sleepy Tortoise Lodge at 760-830-6573. The TLF does not accept pets. For other accommodations out in town, please contact Information and Referral at 760-830-6344 or Relocation Assistance at 760-830-4028. Inbound single or unaccompanied service members should report directly to their gaining unit. The unit will provide lodging.
Major Commands:
The major commands aboard the Base are: Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School (MCCES), 7th Marine Regiment (REIN), Combat Logistics Battalion - 7 (CLB-7), Marine Wing Support Squadron - 374 (MWSS-374), 1st Tank Battalion, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (3rd LAR), 23rd Dental Company, Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron One (VMU-1), Delta Co. 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion, Headquarters Battalion, Reserve Support Unit and Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital.
Relocation Assistance Program:
The Relocation Assistance Program is located in Bldg 1551. Relocation Assistance provides Welcome Aboard Packages, maps and numerous other resources for those relocating to 29 Palms. For information on Newcomers' Orientation, contact RAP directly at 760-830-4028.
The OBSERVATION POST is published every Friday and is distributed to housing and other key locations throughout the Base. The Observation Post provides the Combat Center with important military news and useful advertising information.
Critical Installation Information:
Some installation-specific topics of which newcomers MUST be aware are the following:
(1) Seat belts will be worn at all times while driving on Base.
(2) Children under the age of 6 years old or under 60 pounds must be in a car seat.
(3) Hands-free only cell phone usage is permitted while driving a vehicle.
(4) Sleeves on the utility uniform will be rolled down at all times.
(5) Regarding base housing, certain dog breeds are not allowed in base housing. Please check directly with the Housing Office at 760-830-6611 for specifics.