Joint Base Lewis–McChord

Joint Base Lewis–McChord is a major Department of Defense installation located in Pierce County, Washington. It was formed in 2010 from the merger of Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base under the Base Realignment and Closure process. The base serves as a premier power projection platform for the United States Army and United States Air Force, supporting global operations and homeland defense missions across the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility.

History

The origins of the installation trace to 1917 when local citizens, led by the Washington State Legislature, donated land to the federal government to establish Camp Lewis as a training ground for American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. It was designated Fort Lewis in 1927, becoming a permanent Army post. The adjacent airfield, initially part of the Army Air Service, was formally established as McChord Field in 1938, named for Colonel William C. McChord, and later became a key Air Defense Command base during the Cold War. Throughout the 20th century, both installations played critical roles in conflicts including World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, with McChord Air Force Base becoming a major hub for Military Airlift Command operations. The formal merger creating the joint base was implemented on 1 October 2010 following recommendations by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission.

Geography and facilities

The base encompasses over 414 square miles across Pierce County and Thurston County, making it one of the largest military reservations in the United States. Its terrain includes parts of the Puget Sound lowlands and the forested foothills of the Cascade Range. Key facilities include Gray Army Airfield for aviation support, the Yakima Training Center for large-scale maneuver training, and extensive railheads connected to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. The installation also hosts the Madigan Army Medical Center, a major Defense Health Agency hospital, and the Northwest Landing housing community. The air component operates from a primary runway complex capable of supporting heavy airlift aircraft like the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III.

Units and operations

As the home of I Corps ("America's Corps"), the base is the operational headquarters for Army forces in the Indo-Pacific Command. Major Army tenants include the 7th Infantry Division, the 2nd Infantry Division's 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, and the 1st Special Forces Group. The Air Mobility Command's 62nd Airlift Wing and 446th Airlift Wing operate the C-17 Globemaster III, providing global strategic airlift. The base also supports the Washington National Guard, including the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, and hosts detachments from the United States Coast Guard and Canadian Armed Forces. It is a critical staging point for exercises like Operation Pathways and deployments to locations such as South Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Economic and community impact

It is the largest employer in Washington outside of King County, with a workforce of over 60,000 military personnel, Department of Defense civilians, and contractors. Its annual economic impact exceeds $8 billion on the regional economy, significantly supporting communities like Lakewood, Tacoma, and DuPont. The installation partners with local entities such as the University of Washington Tacoma, the Clover Park Technical College, and the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce on education and workforce initiatives. Cultural ties are strengthened through events like the annual Washington State Fair military appreciation day and support for the Seattle Seahawks' "Salute to Service" programs.

Environmental issues

The base manages significant environmental stewardship programs due to its size and historical activities. Ongoing remediation efforts address contamination from PFAS firefighting foams used at the McChord Field airfield, impacting groundwater in areas near American Lake. The installation coordinates with the Washington State Department of Ecology, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians on cleanup and monitoring. It also maintains programs to protect endangered species habitat, such as for the Streaked Horned Lark, and manages large tracts of undeveloped land under agreements with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Sustainable initiatives include the preservation of Puget Sound prairies and compliance with the Endangered Species Act.

Category:Joint bases of the United States Category:Installations of the United States Army in Washington (state) Category:Installations of the United States Air Force in Washington (state)