Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), sprawling across a vast area of Washington State’s picturesque Puget Sound region south of Tacoma, stands as a premier globally-focused power projection platform for both the U.S. Army and Air Force. Formed in 2010 through the consolidation of the historic Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base, JBLM is one of the largest and most diverse military installations in the United States, critical to national security in the Indo-Pacific theater and beyond.

The Army component, often referred to as JBLM-Lewis, is home to America’s I Corps, which commands and controls Army forces across the Pacific. It also hosts the 7th Infantry Division headquarters, multiple Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), the 2nd Ranger Battalion, and other key enabling units. These forces maintain high readiness for rapid deployment to any contingency worldwide, underscoring JBLM’s role as a strategic launchpad for Army operations.

The Air Force component, JBLM-McChord Field, is anchored by the 62nd Airlift Wing (active duty) and its Total Force Integration partner, the 446th Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve Command). Together, these Air Mobility Command (AMC) wings operate a large fleet of C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, providing vital strategic and tactical airlift capabilities for global combat support, humanitarian aid, and aeromedical evacuation missions. The Western Air Defense Sector (WADS), a Washington Air National Guard unit, also operates from McChord Field, providing critical air sovereignty for the western United States.

Military personnel and their families stationed at JBLM benefit from its location in the stunning Pacific Northwest, offering unparalleled outdoor recreational opportunities, from hiking in Mount Rainier National Park to exploring the waters of Puget Sound. The base itself is a city, providing comprehensive support services, while the surrounding communities of Lakewood, DuPont, Lacey, and Tacoma offer diverse living options. JBLM continues its legacy of service as a vital joint training, readiness, and deployment hub.