Ceremony marks start of Joint Base Lewis-McChord

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kirsten Wicker
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Joint Base Lewis-McChord reached Initial Operational Capability Monday in a ceremony in front of JBLM Headquarters, Bldg. 1010, at the intersection of Liggett and Kaufman Avenues on JBLM Lewis Main.

Army Col. Thomas H. Brittain, JBLM commander, cased the colors of Fort Lewis' U.S. Army Garrison and with Air Force Col. Kenny Weldon, JBLM deputy commander, unfurled those of the Joint Base Garrison in the ceremony. The new joint-base includes JBLM McChord Field (formerly McChord AFB), JBLM Lewis North (formerly North Fort), and JBLM Lewis Main (formerly Main Post).

After the ceremony, Colonel Brittain conducted a briefing at Carey Theater on JBLM Lewis Main and with Colonel Weldon at the McChord Theater on McChord Field, to discuss the formation of the joint base with the internal workforce - civilians and servicemembers alike.

"We provide world-class support to mission commanders and the joint base community," Colonel Brittain said. "It's what we have done separately, now we're going to do it together."

Col. Kenny Weldon, JBLM deputy commander, hosted the briefing on McChord.

"Services that will be provided through the joint base will be equal to or greater than they are today," said Colonel Weldon.

Monday marked the start of a transition period lasting eight months through Oct. 1, when Full Operational Capability is reached with all milestones and objectives completed in the development of the joint base. The eight months of IOC are divided into three phases during which increasingly complex units will integrate and take their places in the joint base structure.

"When we look at what Joint Base Lewis-McChord is, it's very important for us to recognize that footprint is not changing," Colonel Weldon said. "There is still a total amount of personnel and dollars to support these very important missions."

Signs were posted Monday, letterheads will change and calendars will consolidate. Some smaller, less complex organizations begin merging immediately during Phase 1.

The installation unveiled a new Web site Monday. The address is www.lewis-mcchord.army.mil. The 62nd Airlift Wing Web site remains at www.mcchord.af.mil/.  

It was designed to be an understated beginning for the joint base.

"We sincerely believe that this is a natural step, the right thing to do," said Colonel Brittain. "We've fought together with the Air Force in any number of locations and now we're going to live and train together. In the process, we're going to become more efficient and effective. We absolutely think that the sum is going to be greater than the parts."

Out of 20 installations to undergo joint basing, this is the first time the Army has had the lead in the effort. Twelve installations across the United States are now a joint base.