MCAS Yuma: Winner of the 2026 Commander in Chief’s Annual Award of Installation Excellence

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS WINNER Marine Corps Air Station Yuma Arizona Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS)

Yuma continues to set the standard in installation excellence, supporting the Marine Corps and Department of War. The installation manages nearly 1.2 million acres of training ranges and complex airspace, facilitating tens of thousands of airspace and ground operation requests, supporting Sailor and Marine training and major exercises including two Weapons and Tactics Instructor courses, large force exercises, and multiple foreign military detachments. The Range Operations Division and Marksmanship Training Unit ensured rigorous weapons qualification and pilot certifications, directly sustaining operational readiness for the Fleet Marine Forces.

In a year defined by high operational demand, MCAS Yuma demonstrated unwavering commitment to mission readiness, innovation, and quality of life for Marines, Sailors, and their families. Unaccompanied and family housing maintained high occupancy rates while completing major recapitalization projects, including new $88 million barracks, modernizing facilities, and enhancing living conditions. Operation Clean Sweep and the “Refresh” program improved maintenance responsiveness and tenant engagement. The station’s Food Service Branch served over 880,000 meals and supported critical exercises, earning the Major General W.P.T. Hill Award for excellence for the second consecutive year. MCAS Yuma’s administrative, fiscal, contracting, and legal teams demonstrated exceptional efficiency, executing multimillion-dollar contracts, managing a budget over $150 million, and providing comprehensive legal and workforce support. Safety and security remain cornerstones of the installation’s success. Mishaps decreased by 37 percent as the Fire Department and Provost Marshal’s Office maintained readiness across all operations. In the area of installation resilience, a 25-megawatt microgrid project and additional advanced energy project that provided increased energy security and reliability for the installation. The Branch Health Clinic, Marine Corps Community Services programs, and transportation teams, ensured mission readiness and morale for thousands of service members, dependents, and transient personnel. Communications and public affairs efforts further enhanced the station’s strategic profile, engaging local communities and earning national recognition for excellence.

The dedication and professionalism of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma’s marines, sailors, and civilian workforce exemplify operational excellence, mission readiness, and a commitment to quality of life, positioning the installation as a model for the Marine Corps and Department of War.

“Semper Fidelis”

Source U.S. Department of War