[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 74 (Tuesday, May 2, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE YUMA PROVING GROUND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PAUL A. GOSAR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 2, 2023

  Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 80th 
anniversary of the United States Army Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. 
Although the proving ground is only celebrating its 80th birthday, the 
land's rich history extends beyond a century. In 1850, Fort Yuma was 
constructed overlooking the Colorado River crossing, and 15 years 
later, a second facility was constructed in 1865 to act as a supply 
base for Army posts across the Western United States.
  Fast forward 78 years later in 1943, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
opened the Yuma Test Branch, while General Patton selected Yuma as the 
site for Camp Laguna. Although this site was deactivated in 1944, it 
was successfully prepared ground troops for desert combat.
  In 1963, the site reopened as Yuma Proving Ground with a new, 
affirmed mission: to provide innovative testing for new technology and 
provide adaptable training to the entire defense industry. Due to its 
overwhelming success, the site was designated as a Major Range and Test 
Facility Base only three years later.
  The proving ground constructed the ``Cibola Range'' in 1971 for the 
purposes of testing helicopters, umnanned aircraft, and navigations 
systems. With approximately 2,000 miles of restricted airspace, Yuma 
Proving Ground has become a prime site for all varieties of aircraft 
testing. Both the Apache helicopter and the Global Position System, 
more commonly known as GPS, completed all their developmental testing 
at Yuma Proving Ground.
  In addition to aircraft testing, Yuma Proving Ground offers over 200 
miles of vehicle courses with a variety of road and terrain conditions. 
Such testing space has been utilized by the M-1 Abrams tank and the M60 
Main Battle tank. All U.S. ground weapon systems deployed to Saudi 
Arabia during the Persian War were tested at Yuma Proving Ground.
  For the past 80 years, Yuma Proving Ground has succeeded in ensuring 
the safe function and efficiency of military equipment for the United 
States defense industry. It currently employs more than 2000 Yuma 
residents, enabling our community to positively impact the country's 
national security.
  It is my distinct pleasure to recognize the 80th anniversary of such 
an essential site in the history and success of our great state of 
Arizona and beyond. Congratulations to Yuma Proving Ground. I look 
forward to the next 80 years of triumph.

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