On Aug. 20, 1952, Camp Pendleton Base Headquarters issued Post Order 343, and Marine Corps Training Center,
Twentynine Palms, Calif., was born. Two years before, the nation had become embroiled in the Korean War. As the need for live-fire training grew along with the swelling ranks, it became obvious that more ranges were needed.
Pendleton’s Marines looked southward, and happened upon the abandoned Condor Field, a WWII Army and Navy glider base located in the vicinity of what is now
mainside.
Only 70 Marines comprised the detachment at the Center. Manned by Marines from Camp Pendleton, its primary mission was to prepare the new base for the arrival of permanent personnel. By mid-December, 1952, a fresh 3rd Marine Division, with assistance from the 12th Marines, conducted the first large-scale, live-fire field exercise aboard the new base. The FEX-1 gave Marines a glimpse of the facility's potential and foreshadowed the large-scale combined-arms exercises
(CAXs) for which the base is now famous.
The base has undergone numerous changes. Since its beginnings, many hundreds of thousands of Marines have prepared for war here, practicing their war-fighting skills in the challenging terrain and climate of the Mojave Desert. In the early days it was primarily seen as a place for artillery units to unmask devastating firepower in training. Subsequently, it has been home to numerous tenant commands, earning a reputation as the premier combined-arms training facility in the Marine Corps.
In 1976, under the command of Brigadier General Ernest R. Reid, Jr., work began to add an expeditionary airfield to the base's growing infrastructure. When the first C-5 landed in August 1978, it was apparent that the air-ground capability of the base was complete. It was also during this time that plans for the Combined Arms Exercises for which the base is now famous were conceived. Supplanting an earlier exercise known as Desert Palm Tree, the new CAXs were remarkable in two respects: the practice of combined arms, and live-fire and movement during the exercises were unprecedented in scale. Just as noteworthy was the creation of a Tactical Exercise Control Center with the primary purpose of controlling, instructing and critiquing the exercises. In the words of base historian, Col. Verle E. Ludwig, USMC (Ret.), "Twentynine Palms was to be a permanent 'combined-arms exercise college' for all of the Marine Corps."
Throughout its short but illustrious history, the base has been known by five previous names. Officially christened in 1952 as Camp Detachment Marine Corps Training Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., it was redesignated on Feb. 6, 1953 as Marine Corps Training Center, Twentynine Palms. By Feb. 1, 1957, it grew to base status and was again redesignated as Marine Corps Base, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Following completion of the expeditionary airfield, its name was changed to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Training Center Oct. 1, 1978, and changed yet once more to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center on Feb. 16, 1979.
On Oct. 1, 2000, after 21 years as MCAGCC, the command was redesignated as Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Twentynine Palms, Calif. This redesignation accompanied a change in policy that placed MAGTF Training Command under the auspices of Training and Education Command, Headquarters Marine Corps
MCCDC, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Va. This arrangement simplifies what was occasionally a complicated chain of command, and promises to further enhance the base's ability to fulfill its primary mission–to provide the highest-quality training for units that train here and to provide the highest-quality support to the units, Marines, Sailors and families that call it home.
The growth of the base has paralleled the growth of the surrounding community. Throughout the years, the vibrant and vital relationship between the base and the City of Twentynine Palms and other High Desert communities has been a source of comfort and pride to the command. From the installation’s early days when the survival of 70-odd Marines depended almost solely upon what the budding town provided, until present, the relationship has always been one of mutual respect and support.
With the threats to our nation more probable today than ever before, and the perpetual need to train Marines realistically and safely for the inevitable occasion when they will be called upon to protect it, the importance of the base at Twentynine Palms to that readiness is secure. The MAGTF Training Command remains committed to an exciting future of training Marines and working hand-in-hand with the community of which it is proud to be a part.
Main
phone numbers: Commercial (760)830-6000 or
DSN 957-6000
Mailing
address: Box 788500, Twentynine Palms, CA
92278-8500
Population:
9,147 active duty; 8,588 family members; 1,398
civilians
Housing: 174
officer family units; 1,990 enlisted family units; 45
unaccompanied enlisted spaces; wait upto one year; 30
mobile home spaces 9760)830-6611/7375
Temporary
lodging: 92 visitor units (760)830-6573
Community
Services Center: (760)830-6344
Schools: Elementary
school just off base run by Morongo Unified School
District
Child
Care: Center for 132, with wait; approved
home care for about 300 (760)830-3227
Health
care: Hospital. Appointments
(760)830-2286; benefits and Tricare (800)242-6788
Marine Corps air Ground Combat Center - Twentynine Palms, CA
has a medium size commissary - (760)830-6665,
a medium exchange, and a mall (760)830-6163. Recreation at Marine Corps air Ground Combat Center - Twentynine Palms, CA
includes bowling, library, auto hobby, recreation center,
theater, golf, gym, tennis, swimming, outdoor activities,
and stables.
