LOCATION
MCAS Yuma is located in the southwest corner of Arizona. Bordering California and Mexico. Yuma is exactly 178 miles from San Diego, CA and Phoenix, AZ. Yuma has become one of the fastest growing cities. Cost of living is moderate.
HISTORY
Yuma is one of the oldest cities in the Southwest. MCAS Yuma was established in 1928. During World War II, 1943, an air base was erected with the astounding speed which characterized the war effort. The base became one of the busiest flying schools in the nation, training pilots of AT-6 single engine trainees, T-17 multi-engine trainers and B-17 Flying Fortresses. At the end of the war, all flight activity here ceased and 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 airfield was named Yuma Air Base.
The facility was signed over to the Navy Jan. 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.
MISSION
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 Squdron-1 and Third MAW units, to include Marine Aircraft Group-13.
POPULATION SERVED
MCAS Yuma serves Marines, families, DoD employees and retirees. There is one squadron assigned to MCAS Yuma and nine tenant commands, for a total of 3,991 military. With at least 10,000 family members.
SPONSORSHIP
For any one requesting a sponsor prior to arrival to MCAS Yuma, you can request in two ways. One, request a sponsor directly with S-1 Office at your gaining command, phone numbers are provided in contacts. Second, contact the local Relocation Assistant Program (RAP) office to request (982) 269-2425. RAP will then coordinate with your command a name and phone number of your sponsor.
TEMPORARY QUARTERS
MCAS Yuma's Temporary Lodging Facility welcomes Active Duty, Family Members, TAD, PCS, Retirees, and Sponsored Family and Guests. Located at Bldg. 1088, two blocks inside MCAS Main Gate. There are 36 total rooms all with access to private patios and a grassy courtyard. The suites feature kitchenettes and two queen size beds. Special suites feature kitchenettes, a king size bed and handicapped rooms. There are 12 rooms with king six beds. Conjoining rooms include one regular suite and one king room.
Rooms are priced at $42 King Room (Sleeps 2) and $47 Queen Room with kitchenette (Sleeps 4).
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE
Relocation Assistance Program (RAP) services is available to provide you with Welcome Aboard Packets and any additional information you might need. Specialized information includes special needs, schools, entitlements, employment, rentals, home buying, etc. RAP provides bi-monthly Welcome Aboard Briefs which is mandatory for Marines and highly encouraged for family members to attend. Loan locker items are available up to 30 days at no cost. The loan items include kitchen kits, tables and chairs, baby items, ironing board & irons, plus much more. Give RAP a call to make your move be successful (928) 269-2425.
CRTICAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION
MCAS Yuma is a desert town and with the desert we have plenty of sunshine (350 days out of the year). Average temperature ranges from low 36 degrees to high 107. Since Yuma has ideal weather, snow birds like to visit from October through March to enjoy the sunshine. Snow birds are retirees that live up North and want to fly south for warmer weather. During this timeframe, our population will double and traffic is slow moving. During the Summer months, starting in May, Yuma will be over 100 degrees and July through September can heat up when the humidity increases.
Housing rentals in the community becomes scarce during October through April due to the increase of population. If interested in buying a home, currently the market is great. With the fast pace of growing Yuma has done, increase in home costs have increased, but cheaper than your large cities.