Author: SgtGrit

SGT Grit; You continue to deliver great products; just got my 100th Anniversary of Marine Aviation tee, good stories, bring a tear or two, and many good laughs; thank you.   It has been interesting to see the MCAS Yuma stories as I was convinced that few Marines were aware of the station especially the older Marines.  These stories bring back some good feelings.   I started my tour after boot camp/ITR as a 2531 at Camp Pendleton/main-side area 16 with H/3/11 in Feb 1962.  I was with H/3/11 until Feb of 1963; I thought I knew where all of the  Marines bases were at (little did I know), and I was a very naive "salt" (if there is such a thing!).  I went to MCRDSD for Basics Electronics/Aviation Radar school until Jan of '64.  So, by now I considered myself a very Marine Corps knowledgeable "salt"!  Disproved many times over the ensuing years since then!     After graduation from electronics school all my class mates got orders and split.  The First Sgt. had none for me and wasn't sure why.  He told me to stay out of sight, but to check-in  after AM chow every day until he got some word.  I laid low for several days and finally Top called me into his office and gave me my orders.  MCAS Yuma!     I had never heard of it, and worse yet no one in the office had either.  I knew where AZ was and where Yuma was, and I was not excited about that.  But still no info on what went on there or any real pertinent info.  I only knew to report to MACS 1 (Marine Air Control Squadron) in a couple of days.     So in Jan 1964 I drove to Yuma and reported in the night before my report date. I was given an orientation booklet by the Sgt of the Guard, and he had a driver take me to a barracks to get bedding and a temporary rack for the night with orders to have chow and report to MACS 1 at 0800 the next AM.  The duty NCO gave me all the info and directions I needed for the task at hand.  He gave me some bedding and showed me to a receiving room.  It was a ROOM! I reminded him I was not an NCO.  I was informed that this was standard billeting. Major shock.  I was convinced something was amiss!   Next day I did as told and reported into MACS 1; meet the radar maintenance officer (CWO 4), his staff and was taken out to meet the rest of the troops.  This was not the 1st Division!  But it was cool!  A Cpl(E4) was assigned to take me around the area and get me all checked in, and introduce me to all squadron Marines, gear, tools, etc.  At breakfast I couldn't believe the mess hall, 4 men to table and great chow.  I really was starting to think I was at the wrong place, or I was experiencing a mistaken identity; they thought I was someone I was not.  The last stop was at the barracks where I was assigned a room and introduced to my roommate.  This place was like a hotel.     I never complained about the barracks at either the 11th Marines or MCRDSD (all WW ll) barracks); they were comfy etc.., but this was over the top.  And I would have to confirm what the other Marines said; 2 men to a room, shared shower/commode connecting the rooms, wash basins/medicine cabinet in each room, single racks, AND doors on the room!  And if you asked first moderate decorations were allowed!   I have attached some scans from the orientation booklet I spoke of to prove our stories, and to provide a "way-back" machine for the folks that were there to reminisce over (hope you can use them Sgt Grit).   Yuma had a small permanent-duty assignment of Marines and sailors, and made for a very relaxed/friendly atmosphere.  Not that you could get away with murder, but drill, inspections,  etc.. were virtually non-existent.  We were a weapons training base almost exclusively so I don't think there were more than 400 personnel there, and we were all mostly support units.  We could go to the E-club at night and it was rarely more than 20-25 Marines there at any one time. BUT; almost every week 1 or more squadrons checked in for training etc.  Could get a little zoo like, but still mucho fun.  It was always fun when a 1st time squadron was checking in; you would meet a couple of Marines wandering the barracks hallways looking for their rooms, and you always got the same question; "where are the squad-bays?".  After a short explanation they were usually astounded and usually remarked, "wait until so & so sees this; he will s__t  his skivvies!".   The "myth & legend" about the barracks was rampant. The popular story at that time was that when the Marine Corps took over Vincent Air Force Base in 1959 they first considered taking out all rooms and converting to squad-bays.  Engineers said the buildings would collapse.   Well then take all the doors off the rooms and install 4 men in each room; double bunks, foot lockers etc.  Too costly, crowded, and oh by the way the air-conditioning won't work.  How about 2 men and no doors; air is still a problem.  What if we shut down the air and install a different ventilation system and different windows; you know how far that flew in Yuma!  There is probably a thread of truth /reality in all the myth surrounding those days.   All in all Yuma turned out to my best duty station for many reasons.  I thought it would be a remote/isolated h-ll hole, but in fact it was a great place.  It had a million things going for it.  I really enjoyed my time there.  If I hadn't just got married in '65 I was set to re-up, but Nam had hit the fan and my new wife informed me she was pregnant, BTW; still together after 47 years.   Thanks for listening; sorry for the length.  I would love to hear from any Marines that were permanent duty Marines at MCAS Yuma especially you guys from the early 60s when we were the  "secret" base!                   Wayne Mailhiot 1980XXX (nowhere near the "salt" I thought I was!)