P538 Barracks Ribbon Cutting

By | Marine Corps Air Station Yuma | September 28, 2026

Marine Corps Air Station Yuma celebrated the completion of a new Bachelor Enlisted Quarters building Sept. 25, 2026, as part of the Commandant’s Barracks 2030 Initiative.

The P538 BEQ ribbon-cutting ceremony and building tour took place at the on-base site to mark the final milestone of the barracks completion. The project was made possible through the efforts of NAVFAC Southwest teams, Harper Construction, and Installations, Logistics, and Environmental Department, and MCAS Yuma leadership advocacy for the Marines aboard the installation.

“You’ve been living in that barracks over there that dates back almost 40 years,” reflected Col. Robert A. Monroe, commanding officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Yuma. “It is time we replace it with facilities that respect your service.”

Designed as an upgrade to aging barracks built in the 1950s through the 1970s, the new facility can house up to 321 military personnel from Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron and Marine Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 that work on MCAS Yuma.

The $90 million project includes a 100,756-square-foot building featuring 164 two-person rooms with a shared bathroom, as well as a kitchen service area on each floor.

“The $90 million invested in these barracks is not just a construction project, it is a generational investment in their well-being, their readiness, and directly supports the Commandant’s Barracks 2030 Initiative to ensure our warfighters have the best possible living conditions.” Col. David J. Bennett, commanding officer, MCAS Yuma

Bennett emphasized the new command motto, ‘Shield the Installation, Strengthen the Marine’ highlighting the importance of quality living conditions for Marines aboard MCAS Yuma and their connection to mission readiness.

“We can generate a force better prepared to return to work and accomplish the mission, whether it’s supporting world-class training opportunities here at the “Crossroads of Marine Corps Aviation” or deploying globally,” said Bennett.

The Barracks 2030 Initiative, a top priority for Gen. Eric M. Smith, 39th commandant of the Marine Corps, focuses on improving Marines’ standards of living through modernization efforts and targeted investment in barracks facilities, reflecting its commitment to mission readiness through the well-being of its personnel.

For the Marines and Sailors who will reside in the new BEQ, they will have a new place to call home, one that is safe, reliable, and modern, supporting rest and recovery for the next mission.

(U.S. Marine Corps Story by Cpl. Hannah R. Dodson)