Recreation
The elevated temperatures these last weeks has had everyone seeking out air conditioning, lingering in shade or running through the sprinklers but guess what? There's another way to enjoy the sunrays and cool down simultaneously ... the McChord outdoor pool, which is open to all military ID cardholders on Joint
News Front
While the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Leadership Training Course has moved from Joint Base Lewis-McChord to Ft. Knox, the training for the National Guard's Officer Candidate School (OCS) will still be conducted here. For many years, the OCS and ROTC programs were run concurrently since
Heroes & Awards
It takes one to know one, and for Jonathan Wagner, the Veteran Navigator at Clover Park Technical College, that familiarity has led to his success guiding and providing support for veteran students. "I go the extra step because I see the need and that's why I get results," said Wagner, who
People Rule
"I went to the Air Force Academy to get a first-class education and I stayed because of the people and the mission," said Col. Jeffrey D. Philippart, who spent 24 years in the Air Force and will officially retire from Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He graduated from the Academy in 1990 and
News Front
The question looming is whether or not Joint Base Lewis-McChord will be put into service housing unaccompanied minors who have illegally entered the U.S. at its southwest border. In a statement from early June 2014, Secretary Jeh Johnson of the Department of Homeland Security wrote: "Addressing the rising flow of unaccompanied
Style
Military families are always in pursuit of new properties, especially after a PCS, but how often do they get to take that search on national television? Sgt. Terry Andrews, a Washington Army National Guard citizen soldier, along with his wife, Brenda, and their daughters, will be featured on HGTV's House Hunters
Military Resources
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is on the verge of taking joint-basing to a whole new level. A recent release from JBLM confirmed that a long-term construction project for a new road and overpass that will cross over Perimeter Road, which bisects JBLM Main and McChord Field, has begun. The project will link
Schools
Federal law mandates that all schools have programs for students with disabilities, but Brandman University - which offers it across every aspect of learning, from in the classroom to online distance learning - is leading the way and helping all students to reach their educational goals. "Technology is making it so
Stage
McChord Field, get ready for a little song and dance to break up your week when Tops in Blue comes to you. The reviews from earlier performances this month are in and Tops in Blue, a traveling entertainment group that has featured more than 1,700 airmen in shows since 1953, is
Family
This summer, families can head south and see what goes in the Capital City outside of the rotunda and under the trees. "I believe that fellow military families could really benefit from some of our larger recreation events," explained Christie Lamour, a military spouse and program specialist with the Park Stewardship
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Whether you commute onto Joint Base Lewis-McChord every day or travel anywhere between Tacoma and Olympia during rush hours, you're familiar with the congestion on Interstate 5. While the state and local agencies are definitely aware of the problem and actively working to find a solution, they also know that
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The Premobilization Training Assistance Team (PTAT), an asset of the Washington Army National Guard (WAARNG), is working hard to ensure the safety of its citizen soldiers but also the safety of area residents. The PTAT originated from a disparity; the National Guard was noticing a difference in the amount of training
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The Washington Air National Guard is postured for success," stated Brig. Gen. John S. Tuohy. Tuohy, commander of the Washington Air National Guard (WAANG), was promoted May 3 but he will continue to serve as the assistant adjutant general for the Air Guard. In that role he is a state employee
Explore
There are many places around the South Sound to honor those that have given the ultimate sacrifice this Memorial Day, both on Joint Base Lewis-McChord and in the cities and towns surrounding the base. For instance, the Pointe du Hoc Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to the soldier and families of the
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In response to world events, the Department of Defense established 10 regionally oriented Homeland Response Forces (HRF), sourced from the National Guard, to pair with the country's FEMA regions. In 2011, Washington was the second HRF stood up and is responsible for FEMA Region 10, which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho
Schools
At a recent Clover Park School District (CPSD) Board of Directors meeting, the names of three new elementary schools, two of which are on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, were announced. According to a press release from the office of CPSD superintendent Debbie LeBeau, each school had a committee made up of parents,
Explore
The guide at Twisted Waters Guide Service is not just a military veteran, he is also a fishing veteran - so who better to take you out and show you where to cast your line? Marc Bush, who owns the company with his wife Chris, has been fishing all of his
News
The conclusion of the 2014 legislature session in Washington saw the passage of some major bills that will benefit the state's growing veteran population, which is reportedly over 600,000, as well as active duty military families. It seems that the number will only continue to climb; according to Defense Manpower Data
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A bittersweet homecoming will soon take place at Joint Base Lewis-McChord when an airman finally returns after decades of missing in action. In 1969, the Phantom fighter-bomber of Air Force Capt. Douglas Ferguson, a 24-year-old Tacoma native, took a direct hit from ground fire while on its third bombing pass over
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With the military population so high in our area, it makes sense to collaborate and talk about best practices," explained Chaplain (Maj.) Pierre Allegre, wing chaplain for the 446th Airlift Wing reservists. On May 5, McChord Field will host the first Clergy Day and bring in local civic and faith community
