The hope that the city of Lakewood and Joint Base Lewis-McChord could affect a land swap has fallen through.

An effort to relocate businesses in McChord Field's "impact area," the land most adjacent to the runway, to different property that the Joint Base would offer up, won't move forward as hoped.

Development in the impact zone could be considered a demerit against McChord Field during decisions to close military bases because development in that area is considered dangerous.  A military plane crash is most likely to happen in this area of the landing approach.  Base supporters would like to see those businesses moved so McChord remains as viable as possible.  A swap for land made sense to Lakewood city officials.

Last week, JBLM Commander Col. Charles Hodges informed city officials that the installation was not supportive of the land swap in the North Clear Zone (NCZ) to include language stipulating as much in the upcoming Joint Land Use Study, or JLUS.

There are a couple of reasons for JBLM's objection.

First, the base is working with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) on what portion of the land in question is needed for the possible future expansion of I-5 to include the footprint of a new interchange at North Thorne Lane.

The second reason centers on the potential of relocating JBLM's logistics gate to the land in question as outlined in the base's master facility plan.

Col. Hodges has mentioned that Lakewood should continue to work with JBLM to have the Department of Defense allocate the money necessary to acquire the needed parcels that comprise the North Clear Zone.

"Discussions with JBLM are still open," Lakewood City Manager John Caulfield said.

McChord is not the only base affected by development close to the base.  At Travis Air Force Base near Sacramento, for example, developmental plans to put large wind turbines near the runway threatens that base's long-term usefulness.

The Clover Park School District will host a grand opening celebration for the new Carter Lake and Hillside elementary schools Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 5:30 p.m. The grand opening, which celebrates the construction and completion of both schools, takes place at Carter Lake Elementary School at McChord Field on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. 

The event will include a ribbon cutting ceremony and self-guided tours of Carter Lake Elementary School. Because it's a school night, the event will end at 7 p.m.

Special guests include former U.S. Representative, the honorable Norm Dicks; Lt. Gen. Robert Brown, commanding general I Corps; JBLM commander Col. Charles Hodges, Jr. and Col. David Kumashiro, commander of the 62^nd Airlift Wing. Light refreshments will be served.

In 2006, CPSD began a partnership with JBLM to evaluate and quantify the conditions and capacity of the six elementary schools on the base. For more information on the new schools, click here.

See Also

Groundbreaking ceremony for the new schools

Ed. note: Joint Base Lewis-McChord PAO has release a much bigger, more comprehensive list of openings, closures and cancellations here.

The 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs has just release a list of changes at Joint Base Lewis-McChord caused by the government shutdown:

• All Exchange services will be opened and operating under normal hours.
• All emergency services will be operating as normal.
• The Child Development Centers will operate as normal.
• Youth Services Teen Zone, SKIES, School aged services, Teen Centers will continue with normal operations.
• Youth Sports Program will continue as planned.
• The Dining Facilities will remain open and operational.
• The gyms will be open and operating under normal hours.
• On-Base housing support through Equity will not be impacted.
• Alcohol Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) will be operating normally.
• On and Off-post Elementary, Middle and High Schools are not impacted.
• Central Issue Facility (CIF) is open and operating under normal times.
• Most MWR activities will continue under normal hours. These include the Warrior Zone, the American Lake Convention Center, the Cascade Community Center, the Bowling Center as an example.
• SHARP, Victim Advocates, New Parent Support and Military Family Life Counselors will continue with normal operations.
• Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) respite care for current enrollees will continue with normal operations.
• Force Support Squadron functions in building 100 will remain under normal operations except vehicle pass and weapons registration functions.
• Official Mail will be closed.
• Off-base housing services are closed.
• McChord Field Dorm Room assignments and maintenance will be delayed.
• Education centers will be open for college courses, however no academic counseling will be available.
• Installation museums are closed.
• Visual Information Services are closed.
• Libraries will operate on limited hours. Grandstaff Library's new hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the McChord Library's hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Joint Personal Property Shipping Office (JPPSO) will be open normal operating hours, however delays should be expected.

MADIGAN ARMY MEDICAL CENTER

• All inpatient and wounded warrior care activities will continue as normal.
• Patients will still be able to schedule medical appointments for most outpatient services, and none of the scheduled appointments will be canceled.
• The appointment line (1-800-404-4506) will remain open for beneficiaries to inquire about their appointments and for those in need of urgent "non-emergency" care.
• Pharmacy services will also remain open at all locations.
• Non-emergent elective medical and dental surgeries will be curtailed during the government shutdown. Impacted patients will be notified personally of any changes.

See Also

Pres. Obama thanks DoD workforce, encourages budget resolution

Information for soldiers, civilians impacted by government shutdown

Civilian employers of Reservists are more likely to be supportive and have a good employer and employee relationship when they have a clear understanding of the Reservists' mission and obligations. One of the best avenues for providing this understanding is through the 446th Airlift Wing's Employer Orientation Day.

The next employer orientation day is Oct. 5.

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More than 170 mobility Airmen from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., descended on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic aboard four U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, June 14.

This first wave was followed by 92 more C-17 and KC-10 Extender aircraft performing an aggressive 24/7 stage operation over the next 24 days. The normally tranquil island transformed into a major military aircraft hub during the month-long operation moving equipment and passengers to and from Africa in preparation for President Barack Obama's official state visit to the African continent.

During the six-day visit, the president and first lady traveled through Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania, meeting with government and business leaders to promote democracy and reinforce the United States' commitment to expanding economic growth, investment and trade in the African continent.

In addition to the deployed Airmen, the operation was supported by a small but capable team of permanent party military from the 45th Operations Group, Detachment 2. Additionally, a detachment from the Royal Air Force's 1st Air Mobility Wing as well as contractor personnel provided round-the-clock support to ensure mission success. The island's small civilian population was also supportive of the operation, graciously welcoming the influx of deployed troops.

"Ascension Island usually receives three aircraft per week," said Maj. Michael Campbell, Detachment 2 commander. "It took the combined efforts of every agency on Ascension, as well as the deployed Airmen to support the heightened operations tempo and make this mission a success."

A contingency response element consisting of 33 Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing at Travis augmented Ascension's existing airfield infrastructure, providing command and control, communications and aerial port services for the massive operation.

"This has been an incredible opportunity for the CRW to showcase its capability as Air Mobility Command's rapid response force," said Maj. Robert Arnett, mission vice commander.

"In addition, the 24 hour flow of aircraft could not have been sustained had it not been for the dedication of 45 maintainers from JBMDL and JBLM," Arnett said. "These hard working maintainers took fewer than four hours per aircraft to fuel, repair and launch for its next flight. The hard work of this world-class maintenance team set a remarkable on-time departure rate of over 90 percent."

Despite the long hours, deployed Airmen found time to host a tour for the local community, hosting more than 60 children and 30 adults from two elementary schools, a youth group, and Scout troop to for a tour of both a C-17 and a KC-10. Still other Airmen assisted the Ascension Island Conservation Society by maintaining hiking trails on the Green Mountain National Park Zone and helping protect endangered plants and animals.

Overall, this operation set several milestones with more than 4.4 million pounds of cargo, 1,600 passengers and 103 aircraft transiting the island. On average, one military aircraft arrived or departed Ascension's airfield every 3.5 hours for 24 straight days, making the operation the largest movement of military equipment and personnel through Ascension Island since the Falklands War in 1982. At the peak of the operation, the influx of deployed troops increased the island's population by over 25 percent.

"Despite many challenges, we achieved overwhelming success," said Lt. Col. Thad Middleton, mission commander. "I could not be more proud of how well this diverse group came together, completing this high-profile mission safely, swiftly, and with precision."

This report was filed by by Capt. David Bredesen of the 621st Contingency Response Wing.

This just in from the 62nd AW Public Affairs Office:

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - The 10th Airlift Squadron is scheduled to deploy July 28 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

More than 70 Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing's 10th AS will depart for a 60-day deployment to the Middle East. They will be accompanied by Airmen from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The Airmen will take over operations of the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron.

Read more...

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As you know by now, Talisman Saber 2013 is a bilateral exercise designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting combined task force operations, in order to improve combat readiness and interoperability. More than 28,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and women are taking to the sea, land and sky in northern Australia as part of the massive exercise. We have mentioned the 446th Airlift Wing's participation in the exercise earlier this week.

Wanting in on the fun, the airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing are Down Under too. The 62nd AW Public Affairs Office reports:

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Pledging that it will never be "about me," Col. David Kumashiro talked about the power of teamwork Wednesday when he became the new commander of the 62nd Airlift Wing during an hour-long change of command ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

In a brief yet poignant 5-minute acceptance speech, Kumashiro pledged to further the rich tradition of the 62nd Airlift Wing.

"It is with faith, courage, passion, patients and humility that I dedicate myself to this great team," Kumashiro said. "This will never be about me. This will always be about us."

Twenty-one years after graduating from the Air Force Academy, Kumashiro, the son of a colonel, replaces Col. Wyn Elder as the commander at McChord for a two-year assignment.

>>> Col. David Kumashiro addressed the crowd during the 62 AW change of command ceremony. Photo credit: Gail Wood

Kumashiro, who has more than 3,400 flying hours in the C-17, C-5A/B and the Predator, is now in command of 2,300 active duty military and civilian personal, along with 48 C-17s.

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An Airman from the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron here was recently named one of the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year.

Senior Master Sgt. Ernesto Rendon, 62nd APS air freight superintendent, will travel to Washington later this year be recognized by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody at a reception hosted by the Air Force Association.

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As I stood up and shook out my arms, I noted that Staff Sgt. Kris Harpoon, Airman 1st Class Micah Hancock, Airman 1st Class James Tran, Airman 1st Class William Cole, Airman 1st Class Jacob Stevens, 2nd Lt. Matthew Kinahan and Kreal were doing the same.

These 5th Air Support Operations Squadron airmen had been working hard for the past 80 hours with little food and less sleep. 

From running an obstacle course and sharpening their first aid skills to perfecting vehicle rollover practices and utilizing their land navigation abilities, the eight airmen I joined up with last Friday morning had every right to be tired.

The 5th ASOS is an Air Force asset that is vital to Army operations. Its primary mission is to provide tactical command and control of air power assets during combat operations.

Read my full story in Thursday's Northwest Airlifter. Below are a few photos I snapped Friday morning.

>>> Airmen assigned to the 5th Air Support Operations Squadron protect an injured Airman while an Apache hovers nearby during a training exercise. 

>>> Two High Value Targets, or HVTs, are detained while other members of the 5th ASOS prepare to egress from the objective.

>>> Airman First Class Jacob Stevens adopts a defensive position during a simulated attack.

LINK: 5th ASOS sergeant earns Bronze Star