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~The FReeper Canteen Presents~ Road Trip: Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona 
The U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground is one of the largest military installations in the world. Situated in southwestern La Paz County and western Yuma County in southwestern Arizona, U.S., approximately 30 miles north-east of the city of Yuma. The proving ground is used for testing military equipment and encompasses 1,307.8 square miles in the Sonora Desert. In a typical year, over 500,000 artillery, mortar and missile rounds are fired, 36,000 parachute drops take place, 200,000 grueling road miles are driven on military vehicles, and over 4000 air sorties are flown from the proving ground’s Laguna Army Airfield. 
A huge variety of weapon systems and munitions are tested. These include: long range artillery; missile firing aircraft; cargo and personnel parachutes; direct fire weapons; unmanned aerial systems; technologies to defeat roadside bombs; and a great many more.
Yuma Proving Ground test experts have worked on a seven-days-per-week, round-the-clock basis, to test eight variants of the Stryker armored vehicle since April 2002. Focusing on the vehicle's durability and performance, proving ground testers put 175,000 grueling road miles on the Stryker over gravel roads, pavement, cross-country, and all sorts of rough terrain. This road testing took place to evaluate the engine, transmission, universal joints, and various other mechanical components. The Stryker variants fired well over 120,000 rounds from weapons mounted on the vehicles, including nearly 50,000 120mm projectiles from the Stryker Mortar Carrier. 
Nearly all the primary ground weapon systems deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Enduring Freedom underwent extensive testing at the proving ground. As the Army's desert environment tester, the proving ground remains an extremely busy place. Yuma Proving Ground conducts weapon system and munitions testing for all U.S. military services, despite being an Army installation.
A small but significant number of tests are conducted each year for friendly foreign nations, such as Britain, Germany, Sweden, Canada, Singapore, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Italy, France, Israel, and others. The proving ground's long overland firing range (55 miles) and artillery and mortar testing expertise are a particular attraction. Private firms and law enforcement agencies (such as the U.S. Border Patrol and various police departments) have also tested weapons, munitions and other items at the proving ground. 
Learn More About Yuma Proving Grounds Here!
In 1959, 13 men joined together to form the Strategic Army Corps Sport Parachute Team, to compete in the then communist dominated sport of skydiving. The team performed so well that on June 1, 1961 the Army officially recognized, designated and activated the team as the U.S. Army Parachute Team. The "Golden Knights" are stationed at Fort Bragg, but participate in their Winter Training at Yuma Proving Ground. 
Learn More About The Golden Knights Here!
FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT~Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allies military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.
Please remember: The Canteen is a place to honor and entertain our troops. The Canteen is family friendly. Let's have fun! We pray for your continued strength, to be strong in the face of adversity. We pray for your safety, that you will return to your families and friends soon. We pray that your hope, courage, and dignity remain unbroken, so that you may show others the way. God Bless You All ~ Today, Tomorrow and Always
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