As the West Coast’s premiere training installation, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is a cornerstone for preparing numerous Department of Defense personnel to be ready to defend our nation’s interests. MCB Camp Pendleton’s airspace and ranges are structured to ensure that personnel aboard the installation get the highest quality training while ensuring their safety and the safety of our neighboring communities. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Dylan Chagnon)
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With over 42,000 Marines and sailors calling it home, Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton is one of the busiest training installations in the Department of Defense. As the largest coastal base for the Marine Corps, and the only location on the west coast to conduct amphibious landing operations, Camp Pendleton is an irreplaceable asset to the defense of the nation and its interests around the world. The primary value of Camp Pendleton is in its ranges. Integrated land, sea, and airspace, providing live fire opportunities unmatched anywhere else. Of the base’s 125,000 acres, 114,000 are devoted to training areas. Marines on Camp Pendleton conduct small arms, artillery, rocket, and air-to-ground munitions training, each with its own designated safe area. Government regulations state that small arms fire and maneuver training have a designated restricted airspace from sea level up to 2,000 feet. Artillery, rockets, and mortars, up to 27,000 feet. And aircraft operations and air-to-ground munitions from 15,000 to 27,000 feet. This is to ensure training is conducted safely and doesn’t interfere with military and civilian air traffic. Additionally, red and white beach are the only coastal training ranges on the west coast, responsible for maintaining the amphibious capabilities of the Navy and the Marine Corps. With its available ranges, Camp Pendleton serves as a cornerstone for Marine units training to improve their combat-readiness and is an irreplaceable asset to the defense of the nation.