MCAS Yuma bans drones over base and training range

Marine Corps Air Station Yuma on Jan. 14 issued a public reminder that the operation of unmanned aircraft is strictly prohibited over the installation, its airfield, the Barry M. Goldwater Range and designated national defense areas. The guidance makes clear the prohibition applies to all sizes of unmanned aircraft and is intended to protect operational security and service members.

The notice is aimed at both recreational hobbyists and commercial operators in the Yuma region. Local pilots, farmers who use drones for crop monitoring, photographers and businesses that rely on small unmanned systems for inspections will need to avoid the specified military airspace. Operators found in violation can face fines, criminal charges and seizure or destruction of their aircraft.

Military bases and training ranges impose airspace restrictions to prevent interference with aircraft and exercises, and the Marine Corps’ reminder reiterates that those restrictions are enforced. For Yuma County residents, the practical effect is simple: do not fly drones over the base, its runways or the Barry M. Goldwater Range. That area includes designated national defense zones where the military maintains heightened security measures.

Beyond the immediate legal risk to operators, unauthorized flights can disrupt training missions and pose safety hazards to pilots and service members. Local law enforcement and base security have authority to take enforcement action when unmanned aircraft are operated within restricted areas. Confiscation and the potential for criminal prosecution underscore that violations carry consequences beyond administrative penalties.

The reminder also matters for businesses that schedule work near the base or the range. Planning drone flights for surveying, construction monitoring or media coverage now requires confirming locations are outside restricted airspace. Recreational flyers should check their flight paths well in advance and avoid the temptation to launch from nearby public lands without verifying clearance.

For Yuma County residents, the ban reinforces the need to respect military installations in a region where training and national defense activities are a constant presence. Expect continued enforcement and periodic reiterations of airspace rules from military authorities. Operators unsure about permitted locations should contact relevant authorities or check official airspace notices before flying.

What this means for readers is straightforward: keep drones away from MCAS Yuma and nearby defense areas to avoid legal trouble and keep military operations safe. Continued awareness and careful planning will help hobbyists and businesses alike operate responsibly under the county’s skies.