YUMA PROVING GROUND
ARMY
Yuma, AZ
United States
YUMA PROVING GROUND
ARMY
Yuma, AZ
United States
Yuma Proving Ground
Base Essentials
The Army's desert testing facility outside Yuma, AZ — a small, specialized posting known for extreme summer heat, world-class vehicle and weapons testing, and access to the Colorado River corridor.
Base Details
Type
Army Post
Branch
ARMY
Command
ATEC
Status
Active
Est.
1943
Acres
1,084,116
Active Duty
1,800
Civilian
1,500
Population
210,000
Economic Impact
$600 million
Yuma Proving Ground History
Named AfterVincent Air Force Base was named after Brig. Gen. Clinton D. Vincent, a pioneer of bombing techniques who died in 1955; the facility was later transferred to the Navy and redesignated MCAS Yuma.
Yuma Proving Ground in southwestern Arizona was established in 1943 and is one of the largest military installations in the world, encompassing over 1,300 square miles of desert terrain. It is the Army's premier facility for testing weapons, munitions, and equipment in extreme desert conditions. YPG tests everything from artillery to parachute systems to autonomous vehicles, and its long-range firing corridors and clear weather enable year-round testing operations. The proving ground is essential to the Army's modernization efforts and the development of next-generation ground combat systems.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (ATEC)
—
—
Historic Timeline
1943
Yuma Proving Ground Established
1973
Designated Army Materiel Command Proving Ground
1990
Desert Shield and Desert Storm Testing
2001
Long-Range Test Mission Expands After 9/11
2018
Modernization and Autonomous Systems Testing
—
View Key Moments
(5)
1943
Yuma Proving Ground Established
Yuma Proving Ground was established in the southwestern Arizona desert in 1943 during World War II to test weapons and equipment under extreme conditions. The installation grew to encompass more than 1,300 square miles, making it one of the largest military installations in the world.
1973
Designated Army Materiel Command Proving Ground
YPG was formally aligned under the Army Test and Evaluation Command as one of the Army's premier proving grounds, focused on testing artillery, munitions, parachutes, mobility platforms, and aviation systems in hot desert conditions.
1990
Desert Shield and Desert Storm Testing
Throughout the fall of 1990, YPG supported pre-deployment testing and evaluation for Desert Shield and Desert Storm operations, validating equipment performance in conditions analogous to the Iraqi and Kuwaiti deserts where U.S. forces would soon operate.
2001
Long-Range Test Mission Expands After 9/11
Following the September 11 attacks and the start of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, YPG expanded its long-range firing corridors and high-tempo testing of artillery, body armor, vehicles, and unmanned systems supporting the Global War on Terror.
2018
Modernization and Autonomous Systems Testing
YPG became a primary testing site for Army modernization priorities, including next-generation combat vehicles, autonomous platforms, long-range precision fires, and counter-unmanned aerial systems, leveraging its more than 2,000 square miles of restricted airspace and long-range corridors.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Yuma Proving Ground.
Yuma Proving Ground Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Yuma Proving Ground.
Main Gate
Hours coming soon
Visitor Center Gate
Hours coming soon
Back Gate
Hours coming soon
Visitor Access
What you need to know to get on Yuma Proving Ground.
REAL ID Required
How are you entering the base?
I have a DoD ID / CAC
Active duty, civilian employee, retiree, or dependent.
I'm visiting someone
Sponsored visit — a DoD ID holder will vouch for you.
I need a day pass
No sponsor — process through the Visitor Control Center.
Commercial / Delivery
Truck drivers, contractors, and vendors.
Quick summary
Visitors need a sponsor (active-duty member or federal employee with CAC) and must obtain a pass through the Visitor Control Center after a background check. You must present a REAL ID–compliant driver's license or ID; non-compliant state IDs require additional documents. Foreign nationals require escort by an authorized government official at all times.
Confirmed May 21, 2026
· Sources: official .mil sites, MilitaryOneSource, base guide
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Yuma Proving Ground.
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Yuma Proving Ground.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
Phone
(928) 328-6689Hours
6:30 AM to 3:45 PM.
In-Processing
Contact your unit first upon arrival. Report to the Military Personnel Division (MPD/S1) at Building 501, Room 71, located at 2nd Street and D Street on Main Post. Hours: Mon–Thu 0630–1700; closed Fri–Sun and holidays. Phone: (928) 328-2578. Bring all financial and medical documents. The base operator can assist after hours at (928) 328-2151.
For after-hours lodging, IHG Candlewood Suites (Building 540) is available 24 hours at (928) 388-6200, offering full-suite accommodations with kitchens. Personnel without a military ID will need a background check at the Visitor Control Center (approximately 15 minutes).
Newcomer orientation is held quarterly at the Palm Garden Conferencing Center, Building 530. The Housing Services Office can be reached at (928) 328-2031. Army Community Service (ACS) provides relocation support at (928) 328-2513.
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Temporary Lodging Details
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Yuma Proving Ground.
On-Base Housing
Balfour Beatty Communities
AZ016
MHA
Yuma Proving Ground offers on-post family housing through the Army's privatized housing program. The installation is located approximately 25 miles northeast of Yuma, Arizona in a remote desert environment. On-post housing is limited but convenient given the proving ground's distance from the city, and most families with operational schedules appreciate the short on…
Local Market
$1,250/mo
rent
/
$290,000
avg. home
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Cost of Living Around Yuma Proving Ground
85
15% Below National Average
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Yuma Proving Ground.
School Liaison Officer
Coming soon
1
Elementary Schools
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2
High Schools
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4
Colleges & Universities
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11
Other Schools
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3
Pre-K Schools
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Education Resources
Notes, tuition & more
Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Yuma Proving Ground sits in the Sonoran Desert of southwestern Arizona, about 30 miles north of the city of Yuma on US-95. The region is one of the hottest and driest in North America, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 110°F. Yuma is the primary service center for proving ground families, and many choose to live in Yuma proper and commute up US-95.
Yuma
Suburban
Arizona's fifth-largest city, Yuma serves as the primary hub for YPG and MCAS Yuma families. The city has extensive retail on the 32nd Street and 16th Street corridors, multiple hospital options, and several independent and Yuma USD/Crane ESD school zones. Housing is affordable by Arizona standards. The city has good Mexican-food options given its proximity to the border and significant Hispanic culture influence.
Commute: 30 min
Schools: Yuma Union High School District / Crane Elementary SD
Families with kids
Single service members
Retirees
Budget-friendly
Most amenities in the region, affordable housing, good food and retail, Yuma Territorial Prison State Park, Colorado River access
Wellton
Rural
A small desert community 30 miles east of Yuma on I-8, Wellton is for families who want a quiet rural existence and don't mind the longer drive to Yuma's amenities. Housing is very affordable. The Antelope Union High School and Roll Elementary districts serve the area. Not a mainstream choice, but preferred by some outdoor-oriented families who want space and solitude in the Sonoran Desert.
Commute: 20 min
Schools: Antelope Union High School District
Budget-friendly
Outdoorsy types
Pet owners
Cheapest housing near YPG, quiet desert lifestyle, large lots, easy I-8 access
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Yuma Proving Ground.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Partially exempt
Retirement Pay
Partially exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
Active duty pay for service outside AZ is exempt. Pay earned while stationed in AZ is taxable.
Spouse Income Tax
MSRRA applies. Spouses may maintain domicile in another state.
Vehicle Registration
Non-resident military members may keep home-state plates.
Property Tax
Disabled veterans may qualify for property tax exemption up to $4,188.
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Pet Policies at Yuma Proving Ground
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Yuma Proving Ground.
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
Local Pet Notes
Temporary Lodging
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Yuma Proving Ground.
Commissary
1
MCAS Yuma Commissary
Exchange
PX
Medical
Coming soon
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
Youth Programs
MWR & Recreation
3
Fitness Center
Swimming Pool
Employment & Education
1
Education Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Yuma Proving Ground.
01
Are the base gates open 24 hours?
All 2 gates at Yuma Proving Ground operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Access levels vary by gate — some are restricted to military and DoD ID holders only.
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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 Yuma Proving Ground.
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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 Yuma Proving Ground.
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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.