McChord becomes part of Joint Base Lewis-McChord Published Feb. 3, 2010 By Sandra Pishner 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. (AFNS) -- McChord Air Force Base is now called Joint Base Lewis-McChord, McChord Field Feb. 1, as part of a three-phased transition process set into motion in 2007 by the Department of Defense, here. The three primary areas of the installation officially changed as the main post becomes JB Lewis-McChord Main, North Fort becomes JB Lewis-McChord North and McChord Air Force Base will be known as JB Lewis-McChord, McChord Field. "We sincerely believe that this is a natural step; the right thing to do," said Army Col. Thomas Brittain, the Fort Lewis Army garrison commander who uncased the colors to assume command of the joint base. "We've served side-by-side with the Air Force around the world and now we are going to live and work together at Joint Base Lewis-McChord," Colonel Brittain said. "In the process, we're going to become more efficient and effective. We absolutely think that the sum is going to be greater than the parts." Col. Kenny Weldon, the 62nd Mission Support Group commander, became the JB Lewis-McChord deputy commander. In its scale, Joint Base Lewis-McChord is the most complex and difficult of the Army-led consolidations under the direction of the DOD's Base Realignment and Closure Commission, Colonel Brittain said. Eleven other installations are in various stages of the same process. By design, few of those living or working on the new joint base will notice any change at all. Reservists in the 446th Airlift Wing will continue to work in concert with its 62nd AW partners in executing the mission. Installation support will come from the Joint Base Lewis-McChord organization. The 446th AW remains a supported unit on the installation reporting to Air Force Reserve Command. The process will culminate Oct. 1 in achievement of full operational capability, which marks the completion of all remaining consolidations.