Fort Lewis

Fort Lewis, WA merged with McChord AFB (Air Force Base) in 2010 as an outcome of the 2005 BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure Commission) and is now known as JBLM (Joint Base Lewis-McChord). JBLM is located in Pierce and Thurston counties in Washington State on the Puget Sound, Southwest of Tacoma and East of Olympia. Two geographical landmarks in the immediate area are Snoqualmie National Forest and the volcano, Mount Rainer National Park.

History

Congress approved the construction of Camp Lewis in 1916. Its namesake is for Meriwether Lewis of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition and Louisiana Purchase team. Opened in 1917, the first occupants were recruits trained and then sent to Europe during World War I. The name was later changed to Fort Lewis. In 1930 an Army Airfield, Tacoma Field began operations.

Tacoma Field began operations in 1930 under an Army Commander. The name was changed in 1940 to McChord Field as a namesake for Colonel William McChord, a former Chief in Headquarters Army Air Corps. McChord separated from Army control in 1947 with the enactment of the US Air Force and became McChord AFB.

The two military bases operated separately for 63 years until reunited under an Army Commander in 2010 to become today’s JBLM, supporting all major military enactments at home and around the world from World War I through to today’s Afghanistan operations.

JLBM Mission

This is a training and mobilization center for all services. Major Army units are I Corps, one of four Corps in the Army, and serves as US Pacific Command Headquarters; Western Regional Medical Command; Madigan Army Medical Center, a full service hospital facility; and WA Army Guard attachments. Major Air Force units are the 62nd Airlift Wing; Air Force Special Operations Command; 242nd Information Warfare Aggressor Squadrons; and WA Air Guard attachments.

Other Components

YTC (Yakima Training Center): YTC is a sub-installation of JBLM providing a full range of training courses where units prepare for mission assignments. A portion of YTC terrain resembles large areas of Afghanistan.

WANG (Washington National Guard): Adjacent to the main post is Camp Murray, state headquarters for the Washington Army and Air National Guard.

Land & Population

JBLM occupies 647 square miles; 142 miles for the main post and 505 miles for the YTC. Current population is 109,300, composed of Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard personnel, family members and civilian employees.

Family Housing

JBLM has 4600 family quarters of single, duplex, and multiplex housing, with more scheduled for construction. Family Services works with local communities to help families find living arrangements when the on-base housing is full.

Education

There are no schools located on JBLM. School age children must register and attend schools in the local communities. Transportation to and from schools is provided.

Daily Living

There are three commissaries and shopping centers with PXs selling national brand merchandise. The centers have fast food and dine-in eateries, banking, gasoline and auto repair, movie theatres and more. There are medical clinics plus Madigan Medical Center. Chapels are available for Protestant, Catholic and Jewish denominations. Army Community Services assistances with any special needs. Family and Soldier Morale, Welfare and Recreational centers supply golf courses, gyms, pools, an ice rink, arts and crafts activities, travel services, a library, and a travel camp with cabins to rent. JBLM maintains an Army Museum and an Air Museum and provides support to thousands of military retirees.

Visiting JBLM

JBLM is not open to the public except for the annual Open House during the Armed Forces weekend in May.

JBLM is a first class, modern military installation and is the number one station requested on service members’ wish lists. An excellent military experience for service and living.