WESTERN AREA COUNSEL OFFICE
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA


MISSION
As the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) command counsel office, the office enables MCAS command to fulfill its mission by providing timely and candid legal advice and counsel, effective advocacy, and creative problem solving.

VISION
To operate a world-class legal office to support the Marine Corps Air Station mission.

INSTALLATION COMMAND COUNSEL
WACO installation command counsel represents MCAS Yuma and its tenant commands in all practice areas under the cognizance of the Office of General Counsel for the Department of the Navy.

Practice Areas

Environmental/Land Use
WACO MCAS Yuma supports installation command missions by providing commanders and staff accurate, effective, and timely legal advice and counsel on highly complex and often unusual environmental and land use issues, including environmental compliance and natural and cultural resource management, water rights, and real estate.

Ethics
WACO MCAS Yuma shares responsibility and coordinates with the installation command Staff Judge Advocate to provide commanders and staff accurate, effective, and timely legal advice and counsel regarding ethics issues, including the use of government resources, conflicts of interest, logistical support to non-Federal entities, fundraising, travel and transportation, procurement integrity, and gifts.

Labor and Employment
WACO MCAS Yuma supports MCAS Yuma command missions by providing commanders and staff accurate, effective, and timely legal advice and counsel regarding civilian personnel policy and administration. WACO MCAS Yuma proactively coordinates with and supports the Civilian Human Resources Office on legal and policy issues and serves as the agency representative on labor and employment litigation.

Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS)
WACO installation command counsel, together with WACO non-appropriated counsel, provides accurate, effective, and timely legal advice and counsel to support MCAS Yuma MCCS activities and their business operations.

Procurement
WACO MCAS Yuma supports MCAS Yuma command missions by providing the contracting office accurate, effective, and timely legal advice and counsel regarding supplies and services acquisition, litigation support, fiscal law, and ethics regarding procurement, use, and disposition of government resources.

Legacy

The station was established in 1928. During World War II in 1943, an air base was erected with the astounding speed which characterized the war effort. The base became one of the busiest flying schools in the nation. At the end of the war, all flight activity ceased and the area was partially reclaimed by the desert. On July 7, 1951, the Air Force reactivated the base, and the 4750th Air Base Squadron resumed training as part of the Western Air Defense Forces. In 1959, it was transferred to the Navy. In 1962, the facility was changed to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS). In November 2012, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 became the world’s first operational squadron at MCAS Yuma. MCAS Yuma's mission is to provide aviation ranges, support facilities and services that enable its tenants, other commands, visiting military and interagency forces to enhance their mission capability and combat readiness.

On 29 January 1988, the Commandant of the Marine Corps began a test program to determine the suitability, acceptability, and feasibility of instituting regionally-organized area counsel offices. Following the program’s successful completion, the Western Area Counsel Office (WACO) was established on 15 July 1988, and WACO MCAS Yuma is one of the installation area counsel office. WACO MCAS Yuma supports all installation and tenant commands by providing legal services in accordance with its mission.