The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.

VMX-1 is an independent test organization which conducts operational testing under the authority of COMOPTEVFOR or MCOTEA and administrative control of the Deputy Commandant for Aviation with the charter to: Flight-testing of the MV-22 Osprey was delayed in the aftermath of the two incidents in 2000 and resumed in May 2002 to address the mechanical issues raised by these accidents.

On 11 July 2014, Marines from VMX-22 accompanied USS America (LHA-6) on her maiden voyage from Mississippi, en route to her homeport in San Diego, California.

In August 2015, the Light Attack (UH-1Y, AH-1W, and AH-1Z) component and the Aviation Command and Control component relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and Camp Pendleton, CA, respectively.

[1] In October 2019, the F-35B Testing Detachment stationed on Edwards Air Force Base, California moved to MCAS Yuma, Arizona.