Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Joint Base Lewis–McChord (JBLM) is a U.S. military installation located near Tacoma, Washington. It is an amalgamation of the United States Army's Fort Lewis and the United States Air Force's McChord Air Force Base, which merged on February 1, 2010, following recommendations from the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. The base is owned by the Department of Defense and operated by the United States Army, with control by the US Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM). It serves as a training and mobilization center for all services and is the sole Army power projection base west of the Rocky Mountains in the Continental United States. Its location provides access to deepwater ports for equipment deployment, and units can deploy from McChord Field. Air Force units utilize the C-17 Globemaster III for combat and humanitarian airlift missions.

Fort Lewis was established in 1917, while McChord Air Force Base originated as Tacoma Field in 1927, becoming McChord Field in 1938 and McChord Air Force Base in 1948. Both installations played roles in World War I, World War II, and subsequent operations. The primary units stationed at JBLM include I Corps and the 62nd Airlift Wing, the latter being the host unit at McChord Field. The 62nd Airlift Wing operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for worldwide combat and humanitarian airlift. Other units include the 1st Special Forces Group and the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. The base features over 86,000 acres, including 115 live-fire ranges, with additional training space at Yakima Training Center. The Joint Base Headquarters provides installation support services, including facility maintenance, family programs, and emergency services. Medical care is provided through on-base facilities such as Madigan Army Medical Center.