Stories

Marines have lots of acronyms

  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 ca... Full story

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

  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 pilo... Full story

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

Originally published in The Sun in May, 1991

  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 unifor... Full story

Kuwaiti ambassador visits MCAS Yuma (1991)

Originally published in The Sun in April, 1991

  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 parad... Full story

Commander looks back on accomplishments (1990)

By ANNE T. DENOGEAN

    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 Y... Full story

Past has prepared the future (1990)

Looking forward from the past

By COL. MACK LUCKIE

    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 give... Full story

WTI: Unique training ground for Marines

BY JAMES GILBERT, SUN STAFF WRITER

  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 e... Full story

Operation at MCAAS really 'big business' (1960)

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 A... Full story

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

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.

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, whi... Full story

Runway goes into use May 1 (1960)

Flying hours at MCAAS will soon increase with the addition of a large portion of the new 13,300 foot runway which is expected to go into use on or about May 1.All the concrete on the runway has been laid except for a 45 foot section which has been le... Full story

Jet pulls plow to start work (1960)

Aug. 4 --- An old fashioned plow, tied to the end of a jet, signaled the start of construction of the new runway at MCAAS here this morning.As a sort of broad hint to the contractor, a base spokesman said the jet towing a plow indicated the speed wit... Full story

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