Yuma County Supervisors Tour Army Proving Ground, Learn About Testing Capabilities

Yuma County's top civilian employer sits 30 miles north of downtown, employs more than 2,000 people, and tests weapons systems that span everything from small arms to long-range artillery. On Monday, the Yuma County Board of Supervisors made the drive up the Proving Ground to see that operation firsthand.

The board toured U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground as part of a continuing series of visits to major community institutions, receiving briefings on the installation's testing capabilities from command staff under Col. Ben "Patrick" McFall III, the installation's commander. The tour covered the breadth of what YPG does: developmental testing of ground weapons systems, helicopter armament and target acquisition systems, artillery and tank munitions, and cargo and personnel parachutes including guided systems technologies.

YPG holds the distinction of operating the longest overland artillery range in the nation and conducts developmental testing on nearly every piece of equipment in the Army's ground combat arsenal. The installation, which sprawls across western Yuma County and southwestern La Paz County, manages test operations at three separate locations and is actively supporting six of Army Futures Command's cross-functional teams focused on building the next-generation force.

The economic stakes of that mission for Yuma County are substantial. As the county's largest civilian employer, YPG's payroll, contractor activity, and seasonal testing rotations ripple through local hotels, restaurants, and supply vendors each year. Defense contractors and test support personnel who cycle through YPG for seasonal campaigns regularly fill rooms and spend at businesses along 32nd Street and the East Main corridor.

Board Chairman Martin Porchas of District 1 and Vice-Chairman Jonathan Lines of District 2 were among the officials on the tour. The visit comes weeks after YPG drew thousands of residents at the 60th annual Yuma Air Show at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in March, where the installation showcased gear tested by its Airborne Test Force.

County officials did not announce specific follow-up commitments at the conclusion of the tour, but the visit signals continued interest from the board in understanding what workforce pipelines, infrastructure investments, and local vendor opportunities connect county government to YPG's expanding mission under Army Futures Command.