MCAS50

MCAS has had a long history of service to the country

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  On Feb. 21, 1928, President Calvin Coolidge authorized the federal government to lease 640 acres of desert land - covered with cactus, brush and desert wildlife - near Yuma for use as a flying field. Three weeks later, a 20-year lease, with... Full story

MCAS, YPG significant part of local economy

BY JOYCE LOBECK, SUN STAFF WRITER

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  On any given day, an Apache helicopter might buzz across the desert landscape while below, artillery pieces fire at targets 40 miles away, armored vehicles travel road courses, parachutists drop from the air and a new technique for clearing... Full story

The Air Force years through one pilot's eyes

BY JAMES GILBERT, SUN STAFF WRITER

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  Yuman and retired Air Force Lt. Col. Dwaine  R. "Bird Dog" Franklin was first sent to the Yuma Air Base in 1951 and has fond memories of the times he and his wife had there, which would later become Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.  ... Full story

Marines that stay: Why Yuma is now home

BY DARIN FENGER, SUN STAFF WRITER

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  Ask teachers, business owners and law enforcement officers how they landed in Yuma and expect a common refrain: "I came here in the Corps."   A lot of U.S. Marines may complain about the heat when they get assigned to Marine Corps Air... Full story

Marine Corps Air Station Search and Rescue

BY WILLIAM ROLLER, SUN STAFF WRITER

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  Although their primary mission is to look after the safety of military personnel in the extensive training ranges, the Marines and sailors of Yuma's Marine Corps Air Station Search and Rescue (SAR) also assist the civilian population in times... Full story

Yuma home to four Harrier squadrons

BY JOYCE LOBECK, SUN STAFF WRITER

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  Each day is an air show for Yuma-area residents as Marine Corps pilots ply their skills in the cockpits of their Harriers.   That's because Marine Corps Air Station Yuma is home to the four Harrier squadrons on the West Coast, its... Full story

From Harrier pilot to commander

BY STEPHANIE A. WILKEN, SUN STAFF WRITER

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  Marine Col. Clyde M. Woltman knew he wanted to be a pilot from the time he was 6 years old.   He was inspired by his father, who was in the Navy, but Woltman said he knew he wanted to be a Marine.   He brought the two together in... Full story

It takes many Marines to ensure Harrier is safe to fly

BY STEPHANIE A. WILKEN, SUN STAFF WRITER

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  For those who face it in battle, the Harrier can be lethal. But for those who fly it in battle, it should be safe.   Keeping it well-maintained is the task of about 1,500 Marines at MCAS Yuma, including everyone from administration to... Full story

Desert Talon prepares Marines for Middle East deployments

BY JAMES GILBERT, SUN STAFF WRITER

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   Before Marines deploy to the Middle East, they first come to Yuma for a training exercise to help them prepare for the urban and desert operations they are likely to face.   Held at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Desert Talon is a... Full story

Meet the MCAS Yuma support and training units

BY CHRIS McDANIEL, SUN STAFF WRITER

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  The fighter jockeys at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma often get all the glory; but there are several other units operating behind the scenes that provide critical functions in service of our nation.   These are the other units assigned... Full story

Marines have lots of acronyms

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  If you are a Yuma-based Marine, you may know what a VMFA is. You know the meaning of SAR, WTI or STOVL.   If you aren't now or never were in the Marines, you may be scratching your head right about now.   Every occupation, every... Full story

Family reacts to release of Marines captured in Iraq (1991)

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  More than a month of anguished waiting ended Tuesday when the family of Capt. Craig Berryman, the Yuma-based Marine pilot listed as missing in action, learned that he had been released by his Iraqi captors.   Berryman, 28, a Harrier... Full story

Marine shares story of capture in Iraq with school children (1991)

Originally published in The Sun in May, 1991

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  Marine Capt. Craig Berryman, held the attention of a crowd of Yuma school kids Thursday as he recalled being shot out of the sky by an Iraqi missile and then spending more than a month in brutal confinement.   Berryman, dressed in... Full story

Kuwaiti ambassador visits MCAS Yuma (1991)

Originally published in The Sun in April, 1991

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  The Kuwaiti ambassador to the United States made a brief stop at the Marine Corps Air Station Thursday to thank Yuma-based Marines for "standing with us and behind us."   As Marines from various units stood in formation on the MCAS... Full story

Commander looks back on accomplishments (1990)

By ANNE T. DENOGEAN

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    The Marine in Col. Mack Luckie has resolved to make the most of his new assignment in Washington, D.C., but the civilian heart in him wishes he could stay right here in Yuma.    "I want to remember everything about... Full story

Past has prepared the future (1990)

Looking forward from the past

By COL. MACK LUCKIE

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    With the beginning of a new decade, MCAS Yuma looks forward to adding new strength to its reputation as the Marine Corps' premier tactical aviation training facility. Although this reputation is relatively new, the things that... Full story

WTI: Unique training ground for Marines

BY JAMES GILBERT, SUN STAFF WRITER

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  Twice a year, pilots, weapon system operators, ground combat and combat support service officers from throughout the Marine Corps come to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma to take part in a course designed to hone their battlefield knowledge and... Full story

Operation at MCAAS really 'big business' (1960)

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What activity of business in Yuma consumes the most fuel, maintains the largest repair and construction bill and produces over 50 feature length films a year?The Marine Corps Auxilliary Air Station!In the past year, since units began to deploy here... Full story

In the beginning: Burke Praises Yuma Weather and Facilities (1960)

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In a letter addressed to LtCol H. L. Lantz, Executive Officer of MCAAS, Chief of Naval Operations Arliegh Burke, praised the flying weather and facilities here."The commissioning of MCAAS, Yuma, is an occasion of great importance to the Marine Corps... Full story

Air station attacked: Bees take MCAS by force (1980)

By Sgt D.A. Taylor Jr.

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There was a panic here last week as a squadron of killer bees arrived for a two-day deployment.Landing without clearance from the tower, the bees caught everyone by surprise, including a pilot who was about to take off in his A-4.  The bees,... Full story

'MCAS 50th Anniversary' Archives