Marines TV

U.S. Marines from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma participate in the 247th Marine Corps Birthday Cake Cutting Ceremony and Uniform Pageant at MCAS Yuma, Arizona, Nov. 9, 2022. The ceremony was held in honor of the Marine Corp’s 247th birthday, signifying the passing of tradition from one generation to the next. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Jon C. Stone and Lance Cpl. Jade Venegas)

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment conduct assault support tactics in conjunction with Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2-18 at Combat Village, Welton, Ariz., April 16. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 cadre, which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine Corps aviation in support of a Marine Air Ground Task Force and 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 taken by Lance Cpl. Cody Rowe)

More than 500 United States Marine Corps enlistees and their family and friends from across the state of Arizona converged in Phoenix for the 2017 annual Marine Corps Recruiting Station Phoenix pool function, March 4, 2017. The purpose of the function is to screen and physically test the Marine applicants, while at the same time give them a preview of what they may be able to expect once they ship off to U.S. Marine Corps boot camp. The applicants, from 13 recruiting substations located throughout Arizona, ran an initial strength test made up of pull-ups, crunches, and a one and a half mile run. They ate a Meal Ready to Eat (MRE) for lunch and had question and answer sessions with Marine Corps drill instructors. To complete the day the recruiting substations competed in a fitness relay, culminating what being a Marine is about – camaraderie, teamwork and unity. (U.S. Marine Corps multimedia by Staff Sgt. Tyler J. Bolken)

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.

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.

Phoenix residents of all ages came out to the Civic Space Park, Sept. 12, 2015 and put their abilities to the test with a modified Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test. The event was open and free to anyone who wanted to participate. Also available in high definition.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Thomas Brown, a native of the small desert town Salome, Ariz., has always strived to push his personal limits. In 2005 Brown, a mortarman in the infantry, accepted the ultimate challenge and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, wanting to take his place amongst the Marines and make a difference. In this interview Brown tells us more about himself and what excites him about Marine Week Phoenix, Sept. 10-13, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Tyler J. Bolken)

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. James Merville, a Phoenix native, has been playing music since the first grade and always desired pursuing a career in music, which he found in the Marine Corps 12 years ago as a professional trombone player. Merville’s career has taken him across the world to play music in places such as Australia, Cambodia, and Mongolia to name a few. His wife of 11 years and their three children have been on the adventure as well, being stationed in New Orleans, San Diego, and Minnesota. In this interview Merville tells us more about himself and what excites him about Marine Week Phoenix, Sept. 10-13, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Tyler J. Bolken)

On 22 February 2015, the Marines of Marines Attack Squadron 211(VMA-211) are welcomed home by their loved ones after returning from a deployment with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU). The 11th MEU was aboard USS Makin Island to support contingency operations in the Pacific fleet. (U.S Marine Motion Imagery by Cpl. Conner Robbins.)

Marine Attack Squadron 311 "Tomcats" works constantly to maintain and fly the AV-8B Harrier aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. The Marines of the unit work effectively by keeping high morale. Available in high definition.

An evening colors ceremony was held aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., by non-commissioned officers with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, Oct. 5 to honor veterans. The colors ceremony was in keeping with the spirit of the Committed and Engaged Leadership program, established by Major General Steven Busby; Third Marine Aircraft Wing’s commanding general. Available in High Definition.

U.S. Marines from Marine Corps Recruiting Station Phoenix conduct a Combat Fitness Test with the Campo Verde High School Football team, July 20, 2013, concluding the team's annual weeklong football camp retreat in Prescott, Ariz. The coaching staff invites the Marines to discuss leadership with the players and introduce them to the CFT, which requires mental toughness and max energy exertion for short periods of time much like football. Available in High Definition.

Major Brian M. Bell and Master Gunnery Sergeant Eric Holland, both retired, lead 135 students from Yuma, Arizona's Marine Corps Junior ROTC program to Kofa High School through a mock crucible on March 28, 2013. Available in High Definition.

More than 400 Marine Corps enlistees and their family and friends from across the state of Arizona participated in this annual daylong event, which provides all an opportunity to operate as a team, develop motivation, experience team competition and maximize parental involvement. The enlistees are currently part of the Marine Corps delayed entry program and are awaiting their dates to ship to boot camp. Available in high definition. Produced by Cpl. Tyler J. Bolken Marine Corps Recruiting Station Phoenix Marketing & Public Affairs http://www.facebook.com/ArizonaMarines