The only Army power projection base west of the Rockies
In short: Located just outside Tacoma, Washington, Joint Base Lewis–McChord is a massive military complex born from a 2010 merger. It serves as a critical gateway for global power projection, combining heavy land forces with strategic airlift to deploy equipment and personnel across the globe.
Joint Base Lewis–McChord (JBLM) was formed on February 1, 2010, through the merger of Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base. This consolidation followed 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendations aimed at maximizing warfighting efficiency and saving taxpayer dollars. Today, it serves as a primary training and mobilization center, notably housing I Corps—one of the active Army's contingency corps capable of commanding up to five divisions or a joint task force on short notice. The base's strategic value lies in its geography. Located 9.1 miles south-southwest of Tacoma, the site enables quick movement of heavy machinery to Seattle, Olympia, and Tacoma's deepwater docks. While Fort Lewis provides the land power—housing units like the 2nd Infantry Division and the 1st Special Forces Group—McChord Field provides the reach.
The 62d Airlift Wing, composed of over 7,200 personnel, utilizes C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to conduct worldwide combat, humanitarian, and Antarctic resupply missions. The history of the site is complex. Fort Lewis was established in 1916 as Camp Lewis to serve as a training base during World War I, but its expansion involved the seizure of Nisqually tribe reservation lands via eminent domain. Meanwhile, McChord Field (originally Tacoma Field) became a critical defense hub during World War II, training pilots for the Doolittle Raid and the invasions of Italy and France. Despite being labeled the military's 'most troubled base' in 2010, the installation has since pivoted, earning multiple Army Communities of Excellence awards between 2012 and 2014.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Joint Base Lewis–McChord
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/wars-joint-base-lewis-mcchord.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Wars since 1945 · More in Wars & Conflicts · Latest · A–Z · All topics
