MCAS to hold last public tour of season

Marine Corps Air Station Yuma will host the last of this season's free public tours of the air station for Yuma residents and winter visitors on Tuesday beginning at 9 a.m.

During this bus-guided tour, visitors will begin with a military K-9 dog demonstration and then board buses that will stop on the flight line where visitors will be able to see first-hand some of the aircraft, vehicles, weapons and equipment used by Marines as well as overseas in support of combat missions.

Visitors will also get a chance to see Marines in action as they demonstrate their hand-to-hand combat skills.

To attend, visitors must travel along Avenue 3E and enter the air station via the main gate, which is where they will board the busses.

The main gate will open to the public at approximately 8:30 a.m., but visitors can arrive any time between then and 11 a.m. to attend the tour. Buses will depart on a staggered schedule from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. If a visitor arrives after buses depart, they may have to wait until a bus returns from a previous tour.

Photography and video are permitted throughout the tour, unless otherwise noted. Refreshments and Marine Corps memorabilia will be available for purchase. Bathrooms are available at the parking lot and flight line display.

The public is also invited to attend the 50th annual Marine Corps Air Station Yuma Airshow and Open House, celebrating the centennial of Naval Aviation and the Marines' air-ground force capabilities, For more information, contact the MCAS Yuma Public Affairs Office at 928-269-2275 or 928-269-2942.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.