Marine Corps’ Helping Bighorn Sheep in Anza-Borrego

The Military History of Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego During World War II, the Borrego Valley became an important military training area for the U.S. Army and Navy. Between 1942 and 1944, large portions of what is now Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park were used for troop training, aerial gunnery practice, bombing exercises, and anti-aircraft operations. Borrego Maneuver Area Established in 1942, the Borrego Maneuver Area covered approximately 400 square miles of desert extending across the Borrego Valley, the eastern Badlands, and areas reaching present-day Highway 86 and Highway 78. Army troops used the area for desert acclimatization, field exercises, and live-fire anti-aircraft training. Military activity occurred at locations including Borrego Valley, Ensign Ranch, Clark's Dry Lake, Borrego Sink, Coyote Canyon, Borrego Mountain, and the eastern Badlands. Observation posts were established on surrounding high points, including Yaqui Pass and Fish Creek Mountain. One lasting improvement from the military presence was the paving of Yaqui Pass Road and portions of Palm Canyon Drive to improve access to training areas. Navy Bombing and Gunnery Ranges The U.S. Navy leased several locations in the Borrego Valley for bombing, strafing, and emergency landing operations. Major target areas included Borrego Wash (Military Wash), Clark's Dry Lake, Benson Dry Lake, and the Borrego Hotel site near Half-filled Dry Lake. Clark's Dry Lake served as a shared Army and Navy bombing range, while Borrego Wash contained rock-circle targets and observation stations used to evaluate pilot accuracy. Benson Dry Lake and the Borrego Hotel site provided emergency landing fields and additional aerial target areas. Rocket Testing and Anti-Aircraft Training In 1943, scientists from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) conducted rocket experiments in the Borrego Mountain area to provide realistic targets for anti-aircraft units. Army gunners used .30-caliber, 40 mm, and 90 mm weapons during training exercises throughout the region. Carrizo Impact Area Following World War II, the military established the Carrizo Impact Area, which remained active from approximately 1945 through 1959. The U.S. Navy used more than 20,000 acres for bombing, rocket, and strafing exercises. Today, the Carrizo Impact Area remains closed to the public because unexploded ordnance may still be present. Legacy Although military operations ended decades ago, evidence of this history can still be found throughout the desert. Visitors should never disturb military artifacts or suspected ordnance. Any discoveries should be reported to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park staff. Today, these former training grounds are part of the protected landscapes of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, preserving both the natural environment and an important chapter of Borrego Springs history. 

This particular Scout Car, USA-W1162547, was used by General Patton's Third Army in the Anza-Borrego desert while training for the invasion of North Africa in 1943.

F-35B Fighter Jet Crash in Ocotillo Wells SVRA On July 29, 2021, a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet crashed in Ocotillo Wells SVRA near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California . The crash caused a small brush fire and led to the temporary evacuation of campers in the area as a precautionary measure. Fortunately, the pilot was able to eject safely and was rescued by a search and rescue team, later being released from the hospital after evaluation. The aircraft was part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and was on a routine training mission when the crash occurred. The incident involved the F-35B making contact with a KC-130J tanker during an air-to-air refueling exercise, which led to the crash. The U.S. Marine Corps launched a safety investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. Though the brush fire caused by the crash was quickly contained, the crash site was closed for some time before reopening to the public.

Borrego’s Military Echoes Borrego Springs is renowned for its serene deserts and pristine night skies, but beneath its tranquil surface lies a military past rooted deeply in the sands of time. The Borrego Hotel, once an Emergency Landing Field and Bombing Range during World War II, stands as a testament to the area’s contribution to the nation’s wartime readiness. Borrego’s Wartime Role In 1941, as global conflicts escalated, the U.S. Navy selected the remote desert of Borrego Springs for military preparedness. The Borrego Hotel was transformed into a strategic site where pilots practiced vital skills such as high-altitude bombing and emergency procedures essential for combat. The facility included a 250-foot by 2600-foot dirt runway and a distinctive bombing target marked by concentric circles, making it a significant training hub for the San Diego Naval Air Station. The AT-11 Kansan was the typical aircraft used for bomb target practice. Military Legacy and Community Safeguarding Post-war, the site continued under Navy use until 1955, after which it was returned to private hands. Today, the land is primarily recreational, but the imprints of history remain. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been involved in the environmental restoration of this Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS), ensuring that the land, once a cradle of wartime activity, is now safe for public enjoyment. Their efforts included detailed investigations to identify and mitigate any residual hazards, confirming the area’s use for military training with findings of practice bombs and munitions debris. Echoes of History in Modern Tranquility The shift from a training ground to tranquil desert is profound. Where pilots once honed their wartime skills, visitors now experience peace and quietude. The Borrego Hotel’s legacy, intertwined with environmental restoration endeavors, continues to shape the region’s identity, bridging its historical military importance with its present-day role as a sanctuary for nature and relaxation. Voices from the Past: Borrego Springs’ Military Heritage Borrego Springs’ military heritage is preserved not only in historical documents but also in the memories and accounts of those who lived and served in the area. Interviews with local residents and military personnel offer a personal glimpse into the past, bringing to life the stories not captured in written records alone. Sgt. Grayson’s Insights : SGT Grayson of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Arson/Explosives Unit shared that he had no knowledge of ordnance activity at the Borrego Hotel site, extending his insights to the broader region of Anza Borrego State Park. Fire Department’s Perspective : Investigator Steve Sawyer of the Borrego Springs Fire Department Arson/Bomb Unit also had no recollection of ordnance presence at the former Borrego Hotel Site. Local Law Enforcement Observations : Deputies Hahn and McKenna confirmed no awareness of a target area or ordnance presence at the site, acknowledging other range activities within the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Lifelong Residents’ Accounts : Nancy Ellis and David Ragsdill shared their lack of awareness of military activity at the Borrego Hotel site but knew of other military sites in the area. Legacy in the Land : Florence Leedy provided an account of a concentric circle bombing target on her property. Park Rangers’ Confirmation : Park Rangers like Fred Jee, Mark Jorgensen, and Jim Meiers acknowledged no knowledge of ordnance at the Borrego Hotel site but were familiar with evidence of past military activity within the area. Borrego Hotel: A Timeline of Transformation Pre-1941 : The area where Camp Ensign would be built was originally Ensign Ranch date palm orchards. 1941 : Opening of the Borrego Hotel Target Area for high-altitude bombing, dive-bombing, and strafing. 1942 : Establishment of the Borrego Valley Maneuver Area by the US Army as an Anti-Aircraft Training Center, also used by the Marine Corps. Construction of bombing stations, strafing stations, rocket targets, and anti-aircraft artillery for training. 1943 : US Marines construct Camp Ensign for military truck driving training at night. Ensign Ranch Airfield is built just south of Camp Ensign. 1944 : Closure of the Borrego Valley Maneuver Area in August. 1955 : Closure of the Borrego Hotel Target Area and Naval Outlying Landing Field. 1956 : Sale of the land of the Borrego Hotel Target Area and Naval Outlying Landing Field. Present : The region is known for recreational use and desert serenity, with environmental restoration efforts by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1990s-2010s. Today, it is celebrated for its natural beauty and quietude, with historical significance commemorated by the community. These interviews and historical insights underscore the layered history of Borrego Springs, where the military past intersects with civilian life, creating a rich tapestry of heritage and tranquility. Check out this military report for more details. 

Explore the resilience of the Peninsular Bighorn Sheep in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, where conservation efforts unite the community in preserving these iconic desert dwellers and their habitat.