McChord Air Force Base

McChord Air Force Base
source
Name	McChord Air Force Base
Location	near Lakewood, Pierce County, Washington
Coordinates	47°08′N 122°29′W
Type	Air Force Base
Controlledby	United States Air Force
Built	1938
Used	1940–present
Garrison	62d Airlift Wing
Occupants	62d Operations Group, 446th Airlift Wing, Air Mobility Command

McChord Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation located on the Joint Base Lewis–McChord complex near Tacoma, Washington, adjacent to Fort Lewis and within the Puget Sound region. Established in the late 1930s, it developed into a key Strategic Air Command and Military Airlift Command hub, operating large transport aircraft and hosting active duty, reserve, and joint units. McChord has been associated with major operations including support for Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and global Humanitarian aid efforts.

History

Originally activated as Tacoma Field in 1938 during expansion under the General Headquarters Air Force program, the base was renamed for 2d Lieutenant William T. McChord, a United States Army Air Corps pilot killed in 1937. During World War II the installation served training and ferrying missions connected to the Air Transport Command and supported operations in the Aleutian Islands Campaign. Postwar realignment placed the field under Continental Air Command and later Strategic Air Command during the Cold War, when it hosted tanker and strategic airlift assets and supported deterrence posture alongside installations such as Fairchild Air Force Base and March Air Force Base. The transition to airlift focus intensified with assignment to Military Airlift Command and subsequently Air Mobility Command, reflecting global logistics missions including support for Korean War veterans repatriation, Vietnamese evacuation operations, and deployments during the Invasion of Panama and post-9/11 operations like Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Units and Operations

Primary tenant units have included the 62d Airlift Wing (active duty) and the 446th Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve), flying types such as the C-141 Starlifter, C-17 Globemaster III, and earlier models like the C-124 Globemaster II. McChord units fall under operational control of Air Mobility Command and coordinate with Air Force Reserve Command and Pacific Air Forces for regional tasks. The 62d Operations Group, 62d Maintenance Group, and 62d Mission Support Group provide core mission capability, while specialized detachments have supported United States Transportation Command missions, joint exercises with United States Navy carrier groups, and interagency responses with Federal Emergency Management Agency during domestic crises. Reserve and active components have participated jointly in operations with allies such as Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force in Pacific theater exercises like Cope North.

Facilities and Infrastructure

The airfield features long runways and airfield support infrastructure enabling heavy strategic airlift, including hardened aprons and specialized cargo-handling equipment compatible with C-17 Globemaster III operations. Maintenance facilities include depot-level shops, flightline hangars, and a centralized aircraft maintenance complex formerly supporting C-141 Starlifter retirements. On-base facilities encompass family housing, medical clinics aligned with Evans Army Community Hospital protocols due to joint basing with Fort Lewis, and educational partnerships with institutions such as Pierce College and University of Washington. Air traffic control integrates with the Federal Aviation Administration procedures for shared use in the Seattle metropolitan airspace, coordinating with nearby civilian airports like Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.

Environmental and Safety Issues

Environmental programs at the base have addressed contamination from historical petroleum, polychlorinated biphenyls, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances associated with firefighting foams and maintenance activities. Remediation efforts have involved coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Washington State Department of Ecology, and community groups around American Lake and local groundwater basins. Safety initiatives include runway and flight safety compliance with Federal Aviation Administration standards, occupational health oversight in line with Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidance, and joint incident response planning with Pierce County Fire Districts and Joint Region Marianas for overseas contingency model exchanges.

Role in Community and Economy

As a major employer in Pierce County, the base contributes through direct military and civilian jobs, contracting with regional businesses, and partnerships with economic development entities such as Port of Tacoma and local chambers of commerce. Community outreach programs connect base personnel with organizations like American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and local school districts including Bethel School District. McChord supports regional emergency response via mutual aid agreements with Washington State Emergency Management Division and has spurred infrastructure investments in transportation corridors linking to Interstate 5 and rail via BNSF Railway lines serving nearby industrial hubs.

Notable Incidents and Accidents

Over its history, the installation has experienced aircraft accidents and incidents, including mishaps involving transport types such as the C-124 Globemaster II and C-141 Starlifter during training or global deployments; investigations have engaged entities like the Air Force Safety Center and National Transportation Safety Board. Noteworthy events involved emergency responses to chemical spills during maintenance operations, prompting state-level oversight by the Washington State Department of Health and federal review by the Environmental Protection Agency. Security incidents have led to procedural revisions coordinated with Federal Bureau of Investigation field offices and local law enforcement such as the Pierce County Sheriff's Department.

Category:Installations of the United States Air Force Category:Airports in Washington (state) Category:Military installations in Washington (state)