McChord Field

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McChord Air Force Base (IATA: TCM, ICAO: KTCM) is a United States Air Force base in Pierce County, Washington. As of the 2000 census, it had a total population of 4,096. It is current home to the 62d Airlift Wing, 446th Airlift Wing, and the Western Air Defense Sector (WADS).

History

In 1917 the citizens of Pierce County, Washington approved a bond measure for $2,000,000 to buy 70,000 acres (280 km²) of land to be donated to the Federal Government for use as a military reservation. This land became Camp Lewis (and later Fort Lewis). Ten years later, in 1927, another bond measure was passed to establish an airfield just north of the military reservation. The airfield, named Tacoma Field, officially opened 14 March 1930. On 28 February 1938 the airfield was officially transferred to the United States Government. Three years after the transfer, on 3 July 1940, the airfield was renamed McChord Field, in honor of Colonel William C. McChord, who had been killed in an accident near Richmond, Virginia the year before. Over the subsequent two decades McChord Field grew to roughly 3,000 acres (12 km²), encompassing the northern tip of the 70,000 acre (280 km²) Ft. Lewis. It became independent of Ft. Lewis in 1947 following the creation of the Air Force under provisions of the National Security Act of 1947.

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, McChord was camouflaged and windows were blacked out. Squadrons of P-40 and P-43 fighters were assigned to the field. In addition to training pilots, McChord was a clearing station for planes and crews headed for Alaska and the war in the Pacific. Following the end of the war in Europe, McChord redeployed thousands of troops arriving from the European theater to the Pacific.

In 1948, the field was re-designated McChord Air Force Base.

McChord was instrumental in the development of the Alaskan air defense system. In 1950, McChord became part of the Air Defense Command. In 1968, the base was relieved of its assignment to Air Defense Command, when it was turned over to the Military Airlift Command.

In 1980, following the eruption of Mount St. Helens , a C-130 crew provided communications support during the search for survivors. One week after St Helen's first eruption, a second one occurred. All of the base's flyable aircraft were evacuated following reports that ash was drifting northwest toward McChord. In 1988 McChord became involved in combating devastating Yellowstone National Park forest fires, carrying troops from Fort Lewis to the fire areas.

In 1991 Clark Air Base in the Philippines was evacuated due to the eruption of Mount Pinatubo. By 16 June, the evacuation order was issued and the first plane load of evacuees arrived at McChord on the 18th. In 1992, McChord became an Air Mobility Command base. In November of that same year, two McChord C-141 Starlifters, participating in an air refueling training mission over north central Montana, collided in mid-air, killing all 13 crewmen.

As the C-141 was phased out at Mcchord, it was replaced with the C-17 Globemaster III. McChord AFB was the second Base to receive this aircraft for active duty. The first was Charleston AFB in South Carolina.

Units (Past and Present)

17th Bombardment Group
22d Special Tactics Squadron
62d Airlift Wing
302nd Troop Carrier Wing
318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
325th Fighter Wing
354th Fighter Squadron
446th Airlift Wing
Western Air Defense Sector

Aircraft Stationed (Past and Present)

Geography

McChord AFB is at 47°8′17″N 122°29′58″W / 47.13806°N 122.49944°W / 47.13806; -122.49944 (Coordinates: Unknown argument format
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According to the United States Census Bureau, it has a total area of 15.0 km² (5.8 mi²). 15.0 km² (5.8 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.

Demographics

As of the census Template:GR of 2000, there are 4,096 people, 1,004 households, and 978 families residing on the base. The population density is 272.7/km² (706.5/mi²). There are 1,010 housing units, with an average density of 67.2/km² (174.2/mi²).

Racial makeup

The racial makeup of the town is 76.49% White, 8.54% African American, 0.73% Native American, 4.15% Asian, 0.66% Pacific Islander, 3.17% from other races, and 6.25% from two or more races.

8.08% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Households

There are 1,004 households, out of which 77.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 89.9% are married couples living together, 4.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 2.5% are non-families. 2.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 0.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.46 and the average family size is 3.49.

The population is spread out with 36.3% under the age of 18, 22.2% from 18 to 24, 39.5% from 25 to 44, 1.8% from 45 to 64, and 0.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 22 years. For every 100 females there are 127.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 137.1 males.

Income

The median income for a household is $35,319, and the median income for a family is $35,205. Males have a median income of $23,004 versus $22,216 for females. The per capita income for the town is $12,454. 7.3% of the population and 5.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.5% of those under the age of 18 and 0.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.