Influential folks tread YPG ranges for first time
U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground hosts loads of visitors each year, but when it comes to private business decision-makers and influential congressional staffers, the number becomes much smaller.
The proving ground hosted 20 members of the Mesa Defense Alliance in late January, an organization consisting of local businesses, some manufacturers of military systems, the mayor of Mesa, and staffers from a number of congressional offices.
Though the visitors had stopped by other military installations in Arizona, such as Luke Air Force Base and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, they were largely unfamiliar with the size and breadth of YPG’s testing mission, which sets the proving ground apart from most other military bases.
YPG Commander Col. Ross Poppenberger assumed command of Yuma Proving Ground last June and quickly realized after discussions with Yuma community leaders that firms in other parts of the state could benefit from proving ground assets but were unaware of them. This tour took place as a step on the road to rectifying the problem.
“What I keep hearing as I travel around the state is, ‘I had no idea that military capability existed in our own backyard,’” he said during the tour in reference to what YPG can do. “I intend to continue getting the word out and, hopefully, bring some private industry partnerships back to the proving ground.”
Arizona is host to numerous defense industry contractors and manufacturing firms. Some are familiar with what YPG has to offer, while others are not. Some manufacture products sent out of state for testing.
Mesa Mayor John Giles, a three-year veteran of the job, took part in the tour and felt it was a worthwhile and eye-opening exercise.
“Our city has a fairly large collection of defense contractors,” he said, “and it’s good to expose them to the assets of the proving ground. If we can keep them closer to home and build the overall regional economy, it’s a win for all of us.”
Giles is an Arizona native who has been generally familiar with YPG’s testing mission for many years but was hazy on the details. As he saw the breadth of YPG during the day, and the quantity and variety of important weapon system testing that takes place, the visit grew more and more in educational value.
“YPG is a huge economic engine, not only for Yuma, but for a large part of the state,” he said. “To be honest, I thought YPG was somewhat similar to the Barry Goldwater Bombing Range, which is totally incorrect. I had no idea of all the jobs at YPG and the economic activity relating to the facility. YPG is very impressive.”
Jeff Rogers, newly appointed director of YPG’s Air Combat Test Directorate, who has been at YPG for 11 years, says tours like this are important, and not just for the broad-spectrum purpose of building good public relations.
“We don’t want to be hidden out in the desert, without private firms, other DoD agencies, friendly foreign military services, as well as the American public, not knowing what we do or of what we are capable,” said Rogers.
He has overheard a few employees over the years grousing about events like this because they were time consuming or a thorn in their side in some other way. He disagrees with these sentiments.
“Marketing YPG is part of the job,” he said, “and something we need to do. Our mission directly helps the warfighter by getting him or her the best system possible.”