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Fort Lewis, WA

Frequently asked questions

Fort Lewis, WA

Fort Lewis is a United States Army base located 9.1 miles (14.6 km) south-southwest of Tacoma, Washington. Fort Lewis was merged with McChord Air Force Base on February 1, 2010, to form Joint Base Lewis–McChord.

Fort Lewis, named after Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, was one of the largest and most modern military reservations in the United States, consisting of 87,000 acres (136 sq mi; 350 km²) of prairie land cut from the glacier-flattened Nisqually Plain. It is the premier military installation in the northwest and the most requested duty station in the Army.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Fort Lewis) is a major Army installation, with much of the 2nd Infantry Division in residence, along with Headquarters, the 7th Infantry Division, the 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, and the 1st Special Forces Group. However, the Headquarters of the 7th Infantry Division is primarily a garrison management body. Fort Lewis's geographic location provides rapid access to the deep-water ports of Tacoma, Olympia, and Seattle for deploying equipment. Units can be deployed from McChord Field, and individuals and small groups can also use the nearby Sea-Tac Airport. The strategic location of the base provides Air Force units with the ability to conduct combat and humanitarian airlifts with the C-17 Globemaster III.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 15.9 square miles (41.2 km²), of which 15.3 square miles (39.6 km²) are land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) are water. The total area is 3.78% water. The military base is, as previously stated, much larger than the CDP defined by the Census Bureau.

Fort Lewis' terrain is primarily a mixture of dense conifer woods and open Puget prairie-Garry oak woodlands. Invasive Scotch Broom has taken over many areas. The landscape is very rocky from glacial meltwater deposits. Poison oak is found in the training areas. Canada Thistle grows thickly in some areas. All trees are to be left standing; post policy prohibits cutting or trimming them.

The temperatures during summer vary from the mid-40s at night to the mid-70s during the day, occasionally peaking over 90 °F (32 °C). Although July and August are the driest months. Fort Lewis, due to its size and reserved land, serves as an important habitat for amphibian development and study.

Fort Lewis places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. For mental health and counseling services, individuals can turn to organizations like the Western Washington Military Health Alliance offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. McVeigh Fitness Center offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. At the JBLM MWR Fitness Centers, you can engage in a comprehensive workout with state-of-the-art equipment. For those who enjoy the outdoors, Northwest Adventure Center provides hiking, kayaking, and other adventurous activities. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the scenic trails and parks at the Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park and the Maplewood Golf Course. For a more relaxed wellness approach, the Coal Creek Family YMCA offers various fitness classes and personal training sessions.

Top sites in Fort Lewis WA include LeMay - America’s Car Museum, Museum of Glass, Foss Waterway Seaport, and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.

Population: 4,500 (2021). Elevation: Approximately 300 feet above sea level. Main ZIP Code: 98433. Main Area Code: 253. Area: 15.9 square miles (41.2 km²)

FAQs

What is Fort Lewis, WA known for?

Fort Lewis, named after Meriwether Lewis of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition, is one of the largest and most modern military reservations in the United States. Consisting of 87,000 acres of prairie land cut from the glacier-flattened Nisqually Plain, it is the premier military installation in the Northwest. Fort Lewis is situated in a key location along Interstate 5, allowing easy access to Sea-Tac airport and the deep water ports of Tacoma and Seattle.

How did Fort Lewis WA get its name?

Fort Lewis was merged with McChord Air Force Base on February 1, 2010, to form Joint Base Lewis–McChord. Fort Lewis, named after Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, was one of the largest and most modern military reservations in the United States, consisting of 87,000 acres (136 sq mi; 350 km2) of prairie land cut from the glacier-flattened Nisqually Plain. It is the premier military installation in the northwest and the most requested duty station in the Army.

What city is closest to Fort Lewis, WA?

Lakewood is a city of 58,000 people which was officially incorporated in February 1996. Located just 9 miles from the Fort Lewis and McChord Field, the town offers a thriving community for those military personnel and their families who are looking to relocate to the area. The local economy is dependent on the two local bases, McChord AFB and Fort Lewis Army Base, which were recently combined to be Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Sources

City of Tacoma

Wikipedia

Military

Joint Base Lewis Mcchord Housing

LeMay - America’s Car Museum

Museum of Glass

Foss Waterway Seaport

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Western Washington Military Health Alliance

McVeigh Fitness Center

JBLM MWR Fitness Centers

Northwest Adventure Center

Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park

Maplewood Golf Course

Coal Creek Family YMCA

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