McChord Field Base Guide

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U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeffrey Downie, Thunderbird #8, flies an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft above the McChord Field flightline in preparation for the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Show and Warrior Expo before landing at JBLM, Washington, July 12, 2023.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeffrey Downie, Thunderbird #8, flies an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft above the McChord Field flightline in preparation for the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Show and Warrior Expo before landing at JBLM, Washington, July 12, 2023. The mission of the JAWE is to foster goodwill to educate and familiarize attendees with the people, mission, and equipment of the Air Force, Army, and other Armed Services while continuing to provide installation-wide mission support. The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” are one of the JAWE’s premier acts and will be joined by aerial demonstrations from the C-17 West Coast Demonstration Team, TORA! TORA! TORA! and many more. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Zoe Thacker)

 

McChord Field was formally dedicated on 3 July 1940, in memory of Colonel William C. McChord, Chief, Army Air Corps Training and Operations Division who was killed in a plane crash on 18 August 1937.

On 1 January 1948, the field was re-designated McChord Air Force Base. McChord AFB has played a major role in almost every military action in recent history from Vietnam to Desert Storm and Desert Shield, to Bosnia and the former Yugoslavia. In addition, members of the 62nd Airlift Wing have played significant roles in rescue and relief efforts after the eruptions of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Pinatubo and the more recent tsunami in Southeast Asia.

McChord and the 62nd Airlift Wing continue to play a major role in Iraq and the Global War on Terror through airlift efforts and the transportation of troops from nearby Fort Lewis and Naval installations.

Welcome to McChord Field.