Marines TV

U.S. Marines, stationed out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, volunteer with the Single Marine Program during an event for senior citizens at the Crossroads Park in Yuma, Ariz., Thursday, Dec. 14, 2016. The Single Marine Program, hosted by Marine Corps Community Services, exists to improve the quality of life for service members on station and provide activities such as volunteer opportunities to enhance recreational activities and encourage community involvement. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Esgar Rojas and Lance Cpl. Christian Cachola/Released)

Marines with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment conducted aerial insertion and raids during Steel Knight in Yuma, Ariz., Dec. 6-8, 2016. The training provide a realistic scenario for the Marines to enhance raid skills clearing and securing open areas and urban terrains. Steel Knight is a division level exercise designed to enhance the command and control and interoperaiblity with the 1st Marine Division, its adjacent units and naval support forces. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Frank Cordoba/Released)

Marines with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment conducted aerial insertion and raids during Steel Knight in Yuma, Arizona, Dec. 6-8, 2016. The training provide a realistic scenario for the Marines to enhance raid skills clearing and securing open areas and urban terrains. Steel Knight is a division level exercise designed to enhance the command and control and interoperaiblity with the 1st Marine Division, its adjacent units and naval support forces. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Frank Cordoba/Released)

The U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band performs for military veterans and civilians at the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center, Hawaii, Dec. 6, 2016. The concert was held for civilian and military members visiting the memorial. The U.S. military, National Park Service, and State of Hawaii are jointly commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Dec. 7, 1941 attacks on Pearl Harbor and Oahu. (U.S. Marine Corps Video by Sgt. David J. Adams)

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 (VMFT-401) conduct a partial task trainer to simulate a "two versus one" aerial engagement near Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., November 9, 2016. The "Snipers" of VMFT-401 are the United States Marine Corps' only adversary squadron. All "Sniper" pilots are air combat tactics instructors. (U.S. Marine Corps Video by Sgt. Conner Robbins and Sgt. Travis Gershaneck/ Released)

U.S. Marines with Marine Air Control Squadron 1 conduct a quarterly training exercise at Auxiliary Airfield 2 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., on June 22, 2016. The purpose of this event is to promote the progression and qualification of the Marines in their use of tactical air operations center.

Members of Marine Aircraft Group 13 and Marine spouses attended MAG-13's Jane Wayne Day aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, May 12 and 13.

Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 211 conducted their last flight as an AV-8B Harrier squadron aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., May 6. The squadron will be redesignated as an F-35B Lightning II squadron in June.

An end of course video production featuring the highlights of Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-16 in Yuma, Ariz., April 24, 2016. WTI is a seven week training event, hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) cadre, which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine Corps aviation in support of a Marine Air Ground Task Force. MAWTS-1 provides standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine Aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Daniel D. Kujanpaa/Released)

U.S. Marines of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma participate in a Single Marines Program (SMP) event in Yuma, Ariz. on 31 March 2016. The SMP organized a paintball tournament aboard MCAS Yuma, there were 8 teams representing each squadron on the air station. The Single Marines Program exists to improve the Quality of Life for Single Marines and sailors and to provide community service opportunities to integrate the Marine Corps into the local community. (U.S Marine Corps Video By Cpl Conner Robbins/Released)

Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 1 launches the RQ-7B Version 2 Shadow from Cannon Air Defense Complex in Yuma, Ariz., March 26. The squadron launched their first flight after moving from Twentynine Palms, Calif., to their new location. Marine Wing Support Squadrons (MWSS) 371 and 274 built a runway for VMU-1's aircraft.

Marines conduct low-light specific weapons delivery training at Camp Pendleton March 3, 2016. The low-light training restricts visibility for the Marines and allows them to improve communication and weapons proficiency under challenging circumstances. The Marines are with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, conduct a long range raid during Integrated Training Exercise 2-16 at Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz., Feb. 13, 2016. The raid was conducted with movement via MV-22 Osprey from Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Donald Holbert/ Released)

On, 31 January 2016 Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 participate in Operation Scorpion Fire at the ranges of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. Marines with both tiltrotor and fixed-wing squadrons participate in this annual exercise, which provides a realistic environment for ground units in needs of close air support. (U.S Marine Corps Motion Imagery By Cpl Conner Robbins)

Overview Marine Corps Installations West (MCIWEST)is comprised of five Marine Corps installations throughout California and Arizona. Our bases and air stations are fundamental to the combat readiness of Marine operating forces and integral to the quality of life for our Marines, Sailors, and their families. With a primary goal of consistent level of support to installations, the region maintains an outward focus on all matters that affect the collective installations to include encroachment, environmental policy and initiatives, and energy sustainability. It is the collective leveraging of the region that optimizes the installation's ability to provide uninterrupted support to the operator. MCIWEST truly embraces a paradigm of partnership within the western region. California, Arizona, and Nevada account for 67% of the Department of Defense (DOD) Military Use Airspace and ranges, and 85% of the Marine Corps' ground training areas and ranges. Additionally, 80% of the Marine Corp's real-estate resides in the western region. As Marines we value our relationships with the local community, and as a result continue to be considerate and responsible neighbors. We assist in disaster response, support local charities, volunteer in community organizations, provide habitat refuge for endangered species, and continuously seek new ways to be the best stewards of our environment. The Marines, Sailors and civilians aboard our installations are involved with community partners who work diligently to ensure that whenever possible our presence benefits our surrounding communities. Environment It is a common misconception that training Marines and maintaining sustainable habitats for endangered species, as well as preserving valuable real-estate, are mutually exclusive. Due to expanding urbanization and the suitable habitats that our training grounds provide, more than a dozen species of plants and animals have made our installations their home. Furthermore, our installations are home to dozens of historic preservation sites. Our installations take great pride in preserving Arizona and southern California's natural resources. We are committed to responsible stewardship of the environment through programs that ensure the proper balance between the operational needs of the Marine Corps and the protection and preservation of the environment for future generations.

The first air facility in Yuma was constructed in 1928 for military and civilian use. When the United States entered World War II, an air base was erected and by early 1943, Yuma Army Air Base began graduating classes of pilots. The base became one of the busiest flying schools in the nation. At the end of the war, all flight activity here ceased and the area was partially reclaimed by the desert. In 1951, the Air Force reactivated the base, which was later transferred to the Navy in 1959. On July 20, 1962, the Base's designation was changed to Marine Corps Air Station. MCAS Yuma is one of the Marine Corps' premier aviation training bases. With access to 2.8 million acres of bombing and aviation training ranges and superb flying weather, MCAS Yuma supports 80 percent of the Corps' air-to-ground aviation training. Each year, the air station hosts numerous units and aircraft from U.S. and NATO forces. The ideal weather and location along the Colorado River make Yuma and the surrounding area an oasis in the southwestern Sonoran Desert. Nestled in five square miles just southeast of Yuma, the air station is home to a number of tenant units including Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1, Marine Aircraft Group-13, Marine Wing Support Squadron-371, Marine Fighter Training Squadron-401, Marine Air Control Squadron-1, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 and Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 4 and Combat Service Support Detachment-16. The main runway has been extended to 13,300 feet, or enough concrete for 37 miles of two-lane highway. MAWTS-1 hosts the biannual Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) aboard MCAS Yuma and is recognized as the most comprehensive graduate level aviation course of instruction in the world today. On average, over 8,000 U.S. Marines log more than 8,000 flight hours during more than 5,000 sorties each year. WTI trains aviators, infantry, artillery and armory officers in addition to their service support personnel in advanced Marine Air Ground Task Force tactics, techniques and procedures.