Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base will likely grow a lot closer in the coming years as joint basing starts to take shape.

But soldiers don't have to wait until the unspecified moves to take advantage of all that McChord has to offer.

Fitness and recreation

The fitness and outdoor recreation opportunities at McChord are top-notch. In fact, the 62nd Services Squadron recently earned five-star status for its programs.

The award, which is given by the Air Force Services Agency, provides annual recognition and acknowledgement for bases that have reached the highest standard of achievement in all aspects of program management.

That translates into a wide variety of programs, facilities and activities open to active duty military, Reserve, National Guard, military family members, military retirees and their family members, and Department of Defense civilian employees.  

The staff guides who lead the various hiking, sightseeing, and outdoor adventure trips recently received additional wilderness medicine and rafting training, giving them more tools to give customers a safe, fun and educational experience. Whether that means a weekend road trip to Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, a hiking trip to Talapus Lake, a visit to Leavenworth's Oktoberfest, or a visit to the haunted corn maze in Rutledge, McChord's outdoor recreation program has something for everyone.

The staff also recently purchased new skis, snowboards and boats for rental use. Soldiers can rent everything from fishing equipment and camping accessories to aquatic and sports equipment.

For those who prefer to work out on base, the fitness center has four racquetball courts, multiple volleyball and basketball courts, free-weight resistance training equipment, StairMasters, and treadmills. The fitness center also offers aerobics classes such as Pilates, yoga, kickboxing and Zumba, a Salsa music-themed fitness class.

Golfers can also get their fitness fix at McChord. The 18-hole Whispering Firs Golf Course challenges golfers with a picturesque layout that winds through a forest of giant fir trees. And Sounders Lanes provides a haven for bowlers, offering 20 synthetic lanes equipped with a computerized scoring system.

Sights and services

The McChord Air Museum offers visitors the chance to learn about past and present units and personnel connected to McChord's rich history. The museum's gallery and various displays include photos detailing the history of enlisted pilots from 1912 to 1957 and Doolittle's Tokyo Raiders. There is also an F-106 Delta Dart interactive training simulator.

Farther up the road, Heritage Hill offers visitors a life-size interactive tour of the history of the different aircraft that have called McChord home over the years.

Static aircraft displays of the C-47 Skytrain, F-86 Sabre, A-10 Thunderbolt, F-15 Eagle, F-101 Voodoo, F-106 Delta Dart, F-102 Delta Dagger, T-33 Shooting Star, B-23 Dragon, and C-82 Packet fill a large parcel of land just south of the flight line.

Cement sidewalks line the aircraft, and ground lighting, benches, a water fountain and podiums with bronze plaques detailing a brief history of each aircraft and the role it played at McChord add to the ambiance.

For those looking for a creative outlet, McChord's Arts and Crafts Center offers the perfect solution.

The center has its own embroidery machine, which enables staff members to digitize different images and embroider anything from flight bags and baby blankets to shirts and hats. The engraving shop has a machine that can create intricate works of art on wood, glass or the mat inside picture frames.

For the do-it-yourselfer, the center also has a woodshop. After attending a safety briefing, customers can use the shop's table saw, lathe, jointer, and planer for $5 an hour.

Located behind the Arts and Crafts Center is the Auto Skills Center. The center has a variety of self-help services such as hoists, general maintenance stalls, computerized engine analysis equipment, wheel repair, and balancing equipment.

The base even has a veterinary clinic that offers routine services such as vaccinations, blood work, microchip insertion, limited surgical care (such as spaying, neutering and mass removal), and routine teeth cleaning for pets.

Places to eat

McChord also has a wide variety of establishments to get a quality meal. Habanero Mexican Grill, located next to Whispering Firs Golf Course, offers built-to-order burritos, enchiladas, tacos, sopas and traditional hamburgers and hot dogs. The Hideaway Deli and Pub provides a laid-back atmosphere with the best bar menu on base to enjoy with the wide variety of microbrews and domestic beers.

The McChord Clubs and Community Center not only provides fresh, home-style cooking at Wright Bros. Market and Grille, but it also provides the facilities and services for everything from retirement and promotion ceremonies to private parties or birthday celebrations. The club can provide customers with a custom menu and a variety of catering options.

Spend the night

Holiday Park offers an oasis to visitors traveling the open road in an RV. The nine-acre area has covered picnic shelters, picnic tables and grills for the individual, family or groups looking for relaxation. There is also a pavilion with adjoining patio and covered barbecue area. A softball field, two volleyball courts and a horseshoe pit are available to any groups who stay at the camping area.