U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) is a multiple test facility under the jurisdiction of U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command. Yuma Proving Ground is close to the Arizona-California border, the Colorado River, and is situated approximately 25 miles from Yuma, Arizona.
This Army installation is physically quite large but YPG has only a single major unit. The installation plays a vital role in testing and evaluating weapons systems for ground-based and aircraft-based missions.
Find information about Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PCSing personnel, and inprocessing.
Mission & Units
Yuma Proving Ground is a multi-discipline test facility operated by the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, testing much (if not all) the weaponry in the Army’s ground combat arsenal. Yuma tests artillery, mines, aircraft weapons, ground weapons, target acquisition and fire control systems and much more. Yuma Proving Ground has a single major unit (Yuma Test Center / Airborne Test Force) plus a handful of tenant units.
Important activities and organizations at Yuma Proving Ground include:
- Yuma Test Center
- Health Clinic
- Military Freefall School
- U.S. Army Special Operations Flight Detachment
- Veterinary Treatment Facility
History
Yuma Proving Ground, unlike some military installations with histories that begin in World War Two, has a legacy stretching all the way back to 1850 with the construction of Fort Yuma, which operated until 1883. Another facility known as the Yuma Quartermaster Depot opened in 1865, operating for roughly 18 years.
For a time, that was the entire history of the area in or near Yuma Proving Ground. The U.S. Army would not bring another workforce or mission to the area in any significant way until World War Two when Yuma Test Branch began operations close to the present location of the YPG installation.
Some sources report that in 1944, rice plants and hemp growing operations were initiated there to add realism to training for those headed to the Pacific Theatre to fight the Japanese Imperial Army.
At the end of the War, Yuma Test Branch continued to operate (unlike some of its fellow WW2-era military bases) but the focus of the training environment changed and expanded.
The facility was redesignated as Yuma Proving Ground in 1963 and a few years later YPG would take on aircraft armament testing, a mission inherited from Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.
YGP was the site where testing and development of what we know today as the Global Position System began in the mid 1970’s, running as many as three flights per day for more than a decade
Operations at Yuma Proving Ground include operating nearly 250 miles of automotive test courses and facilities designed to operate in “nearly all types of field performance and controlled engineering tests” including country-specific conditions, difficult driving situations such as sloped driving surfaces, obstacle courses, etc.
YPG testing and development in this area has resulted in major improvements in the design of combat transportation and fighting platforms including the M-1 and Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
Contacts
Main Address And Phone Numbers
301 C Street
Army Community Service
Yuma, AZ 85365-9498
- 928-328-2513
- DSN 312-899-2513
Important Contact numbers
- Army Community Service (928) 328-2324
- Commissary (928) 328-2240
- Emergency 911
- Exchange (928) 343-1132
- ID and CAC Card Processing (928) 328-2578
- IHG Army Hotels (928) 328-2129
- Library (928) 328-2558
- Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) (928) 328-3738
- Relocation Readiness (928) 328-2513
- Suicide Prevention Hotline (800) 273-8255
- Visitor Control Center (928) 328-6689
- School Liaison Office (928) 328-3119
- Child Development Center (CDC) (928) 328-3130
- New Parent Support Program (928) 328-3224
- Parent Central Services and Child Care (928) 328-3119
- Domestic Violence Victim Advocate Hotline (928) 941-3650
- Financial Readiness Office (928) 328-2513
- Legal Services and JAG (928) 328-2608
- Sexual Assault Hotline (928) 920-3104
- Health Clinic (928) 328-2502
- Yuma Regional Medical Center (866) 957-9224
- Housing Services Office (Privatized Housing) (928) 328-2177
- Unaccompanied Member Housing (928) 328-2671
Surrounding Area
Yuma, Arizona is about 150 miles from San Diego, California, and 156 miles from Phoenix, Arizona. The nearest airport is Yuma International, with the next closest major airports more than 160 miles away or more including Palm Springs International Airport and San Diego International.
In Yuma, golf is a big attraction, with Desert Hills Golf Course and Ironwood Golf Course among the many offerings; Tripadvisor lists at least nine golf courses in the Yuma area for you to explore. There is also birdwatching at the Imperial Wildlife Refuge, and you can explore a western-style ghost town at the Castle Dome Mines Museum & Ghost Town.
If you are into local history, don’t miss the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, with the prison facility full of history since 1876. If you are more into exploring the outdoors but without the prison history, try Yuma Crossing State Historic Park; if you want early Americana try the Century House Museum with its’ collection of artifacts and exhibits focused on pioneer-era events.
When PCSing to Yuma Test Center, new arrivals reporting during normal duty hours should visit the Military Personnel Division (MPD), Building 501. Arrivals after duty hours will
Your sponsor or gaining unit should issue you an
Services
Health Care
Healthcare at Yuma Proving Ground is provided for service members and families via the Yuma Proving Ground Health Clinic and/or the Marine Corps Air Station Health Clinic. New arrivals may choose either as their primary care provider. You may choose either YPG or MCAS as your primary provider.
YPG health services include Pharmacy, Lab, and Radiology, but there is “limited Physical Therapy and Psychology” options offered. You may qualify for a referral to obtain certain medical services not available on the post.
Child Care
The Yuma Proving Ground Child Development Center (CDC) offers on-base care for children between the ages of six weeks through Kindergarten age. There are waiting lists depending on the time of year you PCS to the area. Care options include full time, hourly care on a space-available basis only, and part-day pre-K programs.
Call 928-328-3130 to inquire about waiting lists and other requirements.
Household Goods
All incoming troops headed for Yuma Proving Ground are directed to track and manage their household goods shipments via the Defense Personal Property System at Move.mil.
Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue
All ID card services at Yuma Proving Ground should be scheduled via the Yuma RAPIDS scheduler. Appointments are required for all ID card services, one appointment per service rendered. You will receive a confirmation number–safeguard it since this number is REQUIRED for modifying appointments. All documents submitted must either be in English or translated into English. For more information call the facility at (928) 328-6161.
Schools
Yuma Proving Ground has multiple schools on-post
Those who live off-post may find school attendance requirements are based on location. There are a dozen or so elementary schools in the area, five middle schools, and there are separate school districts for high schools including Yuma Union High School District No. 70
This school district includes the western part of Yuma County “from the Gila Mountains west and south to the international border” according to official sources. Area facilities include Cibola High School, Gila Ridge High School, Kofa High School, San Luis High School, Vista Alternative High School
Contact the YPG School Liaison Office to learn more about transferring students to the local school district including immunization requirements, transcripts, and more at 928-328-3119.
Housing
On-post housing is privatized and operated by Desert Oasis Communities. Those who need on-post housing should contact the Army Housing Office whether unaccompanied or traveling with family members.
Off-post housing for military families is the responsibility of the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma. Call their housing office at 928-269-2826/3643.
All new arrivals are directed to sign in with the Housing services representative located at 1120 Cutter Street. You will be given your options for on-post and off-post housing and help is available to navigate the process.
Single service members between the ranks of E1 through E5 must live on-post in the barracks. E6s and above can live off-base or in family housing.
PCS and TDY Lodging
Temporary lodging needs are met by Army Hotels (IHG) on-post. Reservations are required. Call 928-388-6200 or reserve online at www.ihgarmyhotels.com.
Unlike some military lodging facilities, when PCSing to Yuma Proving Ground you should know that there is no priority given to those traveling on PCS orders. There is a limited number of options for those traveling with pets and additional fees may be required.
Call ahead to discuss availability for those traveling with pets. Local boarding facilities are suggested including:
- Ironwood Veterinary Clinic 928-257-1249
- Yuma Animal Hospital 928-329-0123
- Dog N’ Cat House Professional Boarding & Daycare, 928-782-3647
Remember, for the temporary lodging facility at Yuma, reservations are required.
Transportation
Depending on the time of day you arrive, the usual
You may be required to fly into Yuma International Airport (the closest facility at roughly 35 miles away from the post) and you should make arrangements in advance if you must fly elsewhere. Your sponsor may be able to give you advice as to the best alternative airport to Yuma International.
Remember to get a Certificate of Non-Availability if you must stay off-post due to a lack of rooms on-post in TLF or Army Lodging.
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
As of April 2012, U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground does not require base decals. Yuma Proving Ground on-post vehicle procedures may require drivers and passengers to be compliant with federal REAL ID Act requirements for photo ID used to gain entry into federal installations.
All privately owned vehicles are required to conform to Arizona state law including minimum insurance requirements. New arrivals are permitted to drive in Arizona using a valid drivers’ license from another country where applicable.
Privately owned vehicles registered in another state must be registered in the State of Arizona as soon as the owner becomes an Arizona resident. You may be able to register for one or two years depending