News Front
"The National Guard, through its existing relationships within every state and territory, is in a unique and important position to help solve what I call the ‘cyber response capability gap.' That gap is the space that exists between what we acknowledge as a threat and our actual capability to do something
Military Resources
"We have generated $8 million in refunds for clients since Jan. 21," said Capt. Kezia B. Manese, the Judge Advocate officer in charge of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Main Tax Center. "We've exceeded what a smaller base will do all season." The Tax Center staff is comprised of 34 soldiers, two
Explore
Move over paintball, Airsoft is the new extreme sport that's attracting servicemembers and military enthusiasts on the weekends. The Fort Lewis-McChord Airsoft Group, formerly named the Praetorian Guard, is one of only a few such teams in the Pacific Northwest and the mission is to provide a safe and fun environment
News Front
This month, reservists attached to the 36th Aerial Port Squadron, which is part of the 446th Airlift Wing on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, McChord Field, will deploy to Southwest Asia in order to assist with the drawdown and subsequent redeployments out of Afghanistan. They are expected to be there for six
News Front
The Pointe du Hoc Foundation, which was founded in 2011, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the families of the 2nd Ranger Battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, as well as to recognizing and commemorating Rangers and their families, from WII to the present. As part of that, the foundation's board
Military Life
To actually hold a yard sale, you must put up signs, collect items for years before you have enough to necessitate the event and you have to sit there, rain or shine, and hope the people come to buy and not only to haggle. Or you could join the JBLM Ready,
Jobs
The past decade of combat has increased the need for EOD technicians across the entire military, including within the 446th Airlift Wing's Civil Engineer Squadron, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight on McChord Field. In fact, that need has grown urgent for the 446th EOD due to a number of its highly
Family
On McChord Field, there's a surname that might just be synonymous with pride and loyalty: Meyer. "We had met with recruiters from different branches and what drove us to the Air Force was a lasting, first impression - the recruiter was very professional and it won me over," explained Chief Master
Benefits & Deals
"Being compassionate and having your heart in the work and doing what you promise is what has led to our success and allows the veterans to trust us," Ray Switzer, program manager at Building 9 for Veterans Transitional Housing Program. Physically, Building 9 is a 45,000 sq. ft. space located on
News
The Department of Veterans Affairs has been overhauling its services in an effort to reach more of the growing veteran population than ever before. The result is an increase in online resources, published materials and overall community outreach for these men and women who served. Locally, there are two VA medical
Explore
One of Joint Base Lewis-McChord's own is not only dedicated to serving in uniform he also routinely dons a wetsuit to help out underwater. Maj. John R. Weldon, of the Western Air Defense Sector, is a regular volunteer diver at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (PDZA) where he spends his
News Front
In early February, Col. Ramona Fiorey will mark six months as the 38th commander of Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. "I think things have been going very well, of course we've had challenges but nothing out of the ordinary for a military medical treatment center," she said. For instance,
Military Policy
In response to the decreased deployments and impending downsizing, the Army will begin restructuring its warrior transition units. Warrior transition units are located at major military treatment facilities and provide support to wounded, ill and injured soldiers who require at least six months of rehabilitative care and complex medical management.
News
"When I started my organization my love was to take care of my comrades because of the bond we had," explained Kelly Carroll, an Army and National Guard disabled veteran who founded the "R Place of Refuge" charity out of her home in Kent in 2000. "I wanted to continue
News Front
This year, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will be celebrated Jan. 20 and 2014 also marks the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Dr. King's Nobel Peace Prize. The holiday was signed into law in 1983 and it was officially observed in all 50 states for
Heroes & Awards
Retired Lt. Col. Richard "Ken" Wheeler, almost 91, has a story to tell and, if you ask nicely, he'll leave you enthralled. Wheeler, who resides in Gig Harbor with his second wife, Sharon, is a World War II veteran that survived the harrowing ordeal of being shot down over German territory.
People Rule
"At the end of the day no matter how tired you are you know you accomplished something that you can feel good about," explained local volunteer standout Donna Buck, 68. Buck, who has been a Tacoma resident since 1973, spent 43 years married to retired Army Staff Sgt. Basil W. Buck,
News Front
You may know that the Royal Canadian Air Force partners with the United States Air Force to protect continental airspace under the North American Aerospace Defense Command and that they are responsible for the National Search and Rescue Program, but did you know they also share officers with the USAF
Benefits & Deals
"We work to help the veterans who fall between the cracks of other veteran service and military organizations," said Perry White, who has been on the Veteran's Family Fund of America board since 2009 and currently serves as its president. The VFFA's core mission is to provide emergency assistance to the
News Front
The soldiers and airmen of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the fourth largest military installation in the country, are always busy. With 27,000 servicemembers reporting to the base, it should come as no surprise that their list of accomplishments keeps growing - and 2013 was no exception. Here, the guys who pen the
