MCAS YUMA
MARINES
Yuma, AZ
United States
MCAS YUMA
MARINES
Yuma, AZ
United States
MCAS Yuma
Base Essentials
Home of the Marine Corps air-ground task force training in Yuma, AZ — an intense combined arms training environment with extreme summer heat, exceptional ranges, and a small but tight-knit military city.
Base Details
Type
Marine Corps Base
Branch
MARINES
Command
MCICOM
Status
Active
Est.
1928
Acres
3,000
Active Duty
4,000
Civilian
1,500
Population
210,000
Economic Impact
$700 million
MCAS Yuma History
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in southwestern Arizona was established in 1928 and offers some of the best flying weather in the world with over 300 clear days per year. It is home to Marine Aircraft Group 13 and multiple training squadrons. MCAS Yuma also hosts the annual Weapons and Tactics Instructor course, the Marine Corps' most advanced aviation training exercise. The station's access to the vast Barry M. Goldwater Range complex makes it indispensable for live-fire and air-to-ground training.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
Marine Aircraft Group 13
—
—
Historic Timeline
1928
Fly Field Established; Marines Arrive
1959
Redesignated Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
1978
Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One Established
—
View Key Moments
(3)
1928
Fly Field Established; Marines Arrive
The Army established Fly Field near Yuma, Arizona, in 1928, and Marine Corps aviation units began using the site shortly after. The installation formally became a Marine Corps air station and has operated continuously as a military airfield ever since.
1959
Redesignated Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
The installation was officially redesignated Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in 1959 as the Marine Corps consolidated its southwestern aviation training footprint. Yuma's clear skies and vast restricted airspace made it ideal for weapons and tactics training.
1978
Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One Established
MAWTS-1 (Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One) was established at Yuma in 1978 as the Marine Corps' center for advanced aviation weapons and tactics instruction. MAWTS-1 is the Marine equivalent of the Navy's Top Gun program.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for MCAS Yuma.
MCAS Yuma Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for MCAS Yuma.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from MCAS Yuma.
PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to MCAS Yuma.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
Marine Corps Family Services (MCFS) — Relocation Assistance
Phone
(928) 269-2735Hours
Mon–Fri, 0730–1630
In-Processing
Marines arriving at MCAS Yuma report to their gaining unit's administrative section (S1) during duty hours in the uniform of the day. The unit S1 initiates check-in, provides the in-processing checklist, and coordinates required appointments. MCFS at (928) 269-2735 coordinates the mandatory Newcomers Orientation and provides welcome packets for Marines and families.
In-processing covers Military Personnel, Finance, medical enrollment at the Branch Medical Clinic, housing through the Housing Services Office, and base orientation. MCAS Yuma is the Marine Corps' primary fixed-wing tactical air training base, hosting Marine Aircraft Group 13 and the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 (MAWTS-1).
MCAS Yuma is located in Yuma, Arizona — in the Sonoran Desert near the California and Mexico borders. The area has one of the sunniest climates in North America but is very hot in summer. The small-town environment and compact base mean the military community is especially close-knit.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for MCAS Yuma.
On-post family housing at MCAS Yuma is managed by Lincoln Military Housing. The on-post residential communities offer 2–4 bedroom homes convenient to the flight line. Given Yuma's remote southwestern Arizona location, on-post housing is popular with many families, particularly those who prioritize short commutes and base community amenities. MCAS Yuma is located on…
Local Market
$1,250/mo
rent
/
$290,000
avg. home
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Cost of Living Around MCAS Yuma
85
15% Below National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near MCAS Yuma.
School Liaison Officer
School Liaison Services
2
High Schools
View schools
Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
MCAS Yuma is an F-35B training base in the Sonoran Desert of southwestern Arizona, sharing the region with the Army's Yuma Proving Ground. Yuma is a mid-sized agricultural and military city on the Colorado River, with easy access to Mexico, the beaches of Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco), and the California coast via I-8.
Yuma
Suburban
The city of Yuma is the primary and essentially only significant community for MCAS families. Multiple school districts — Yuma Union HSD, Crane Elementary, and others — serve the city. Yuma has extensive retail on 32nd Street and 4th Avenue corridors, good Mexican restaurants, and the Colorado River waterfront. Housing is very affordable by Arizona standards, and the dry desert climate is warm nearly year-round. The city celebrates the Colorado River culture with boat launches, fishing, and water sports.
Commute: 12 min
Schools: Yuma Union High School District
Families with kids
Single service members
Budget-friendly
Dual military
Retirees
Very affordable desert housing, Colorado River access, Rocky Point Mexico beaches 2hr, Agricultural Festival, warm year-round
Fortuna Foothills
Suburban
A planned community east of Yuma along I-8 in the Gila Mountain foothills, Fortuna Foothills is popular with families who want newer construction at lower prices than Yuma proper. Crane Elementary District and Yuma Union HSD serve the area. The commute to MCAS Yuma runs about 20 minutes on I-8. The desert scenery and newer community character attract retirees and senior military families.
Commute: 20 min
Schools: Crane Elementary SD / Yuma UHSD
Families with kids
Retirees
Pet owners
Budget-friendly
Newer construction, Gila Mountain backdrop, more affordable than central Yuma, quieter community feel
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at MCAS Yuma.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Partially exempt
Retirement Pay
Fully exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
Yes
Military Pay Details
Arizona taxes active duty military pay for Arizona legal residents. National Guard and Reserve members may deduct up to…
Spouse Income Tax
Under MSRRA, military spouses may maintain their legal domicile outside Arizona for Arizona income tax purposes. A quali…
Vehicle Registration
Arizona levies an annual Vehicle License Tax (VLT) in lieu of a personal property tax, calculated as a percentage of the…
Property Tax
Arizona has relatively low property tax rates. Pima County (Davis-Monthan), Maricopa County (Luke AFB), Cochise County (…
Pet Policies at MCAS Yuma
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at MCAS Yuma.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
8
Prohibited Animals
4
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at MCAS Yuma.
Commissary
1
MCAS Yuma Commissary
Exchange
MCX
Mon–Sat 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Sun 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Medical
1
Branch Health Clinic MCAS Yuma — Clinic
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about MCAS Yuma.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Main Gate is the main visitor access gate and is open 24 hours a day. Other gates are restricted to military and DoD ID holders — see the Gates section for full schedules.
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02
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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03
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for MCAS Yuma.
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04
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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05
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near MCAS Yuma.
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Question
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.