From Patton to the present . . .
Military
testing at the Yuma Proving Ground dates back to 1943 when the army established
the Yuma Test Branch along the Colorado River at Imperial Dam. Because engineers could control water flows,
it was the ideal location to try out portable bridges. About the same time, Camp Laguna was
established in an area around California/Arizona by Gen. George S Patton to
train more than a million soldiers for combat.
After the war, Camp Laguna was deactivated,
but the Yuma Test Branch remained in limited operation until 1950. Renamed Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) in 1963,
this multi-purpose facility has helped to develop numerous combat vehicles,
aircraft and weapons systems. One of the
largest military installations in the world, YPG is home to the Military
Freefall School and GM’s hot-weather test track. And just this month, a wind tunnel was
added - what a rush!
There are
22,000 men and women stationed here, and with annual winter training of Marines
from other units around the country the base population doubles. Total Yuma population is 94,000.
The hot
fighter – or “Top Gun” as it’s referred to – is currently the F35B Lightning 12. The pilot wears a helmet mounted display
system that tells him about the environment around him – situational awareness
– he “sees” through the floor if he wants to check the enemy threat beneath his
bird. The aircraft is loaded with
sensors.
Attack from
the rear by enemy fighters? The F35
pilot doesn’t have to turn hard into the threat – he can launch air-to-air
missiles forward and they will turn back and seek out the threat.
This portion of Arizona’s Sonora Desert continues to host a variety of military activities to train and equip the Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Marines of our country in order for them to be the best in the world – and to protect our country and our freedoms. That is quite an undertaking! Please make sure to thank those men and women whenever you can.
Just one more beautiful sunset - this one as we were leaving the grounds at the Yuma Proving Ground in Yuma, Arizona.
Hugs to all ~
Kay & Jeff
Travel
Update: All dental work was successfully
completed for Kay, and she is a happy camper now. Our “home”
site on BLM land at Ogilby Road for the month of January has changed. We have a new home right now - about 3 miles SE of where we were - at Sidewinder Road (still in Winterhaven CA).
We want to enjoy some 80s weather that is suppose to be here this week. After that we will begin a new adventure to Ajo, Arizona. Ajo elevation is approx. 1700 ft. (we are at around 300 here right now). Ajo is known as one of the most unique
camping spots in this area because of its desert landscape - close to Organ Pipe National Monument. We will most definitely take you there on a
future Blog update, so stay tuned - pictures and all!
And, on another note . . . Congratulations to our good friends back in Minnesota - Verena & Steve LeMay - who had something pretty special to celebrate over the holidays. . .their marriage! Our best to both of you on your new life together!
We want to enjoy some 80s weather that is suppose to be here this week. After that we will begin a new adventure to Ajo, Arizona. Ajo elevation is approx. 1700 ft. (we are at around 300 here right now). Ajo is known as one of the most unique
camping spots in this area because of its desert landscape - close to Organ Pipe National Monument. We will most definitely take you there on a
future Blog update, so stay tuned - pictures and all! 
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