58-733: Northwestern Joint Regional Correctional Facility (NWJRCF) was a Level II correctional activity with facility operations in Fort Lewis , Washington and Submarine Base Bangor , Washington. NWJRCF reports directly to the United States Army Corrections Command in Alexandria, Virginia . The Northwestern Joint Regional Correctional Facility provides custody/control, education and vocational opportunities as well as behavioral mental health programs of prisoners in an effort to assist their transition back into
116-660: A captain, returned as its commanding general in 1936, serving until 1937. The project of constructing an army airfield, which later became McChord Air Force Base , directly north of the Fort Lewis installation, received approval as a WPA project in January 1938, and $ 61,730 was allocated for construction. The allocation provided for clearing, grading, and leveling a runway 6,000 feet (1,800 m) long by 600 feet (180 m) wide. From 1942 to 1943, 42 Japanese , German , and Italian Americans were held at Fort Lewis as part of
174-406: A free balloon flight at the field on November 4, 1927. The field is now used by Army helicopters. Helicopters based at the airfield assisted with medical evacuations at Mount Rainier National Park on numerous occasions in the 1970s. Army helicopters were also used to insert search-and-rescue [SAR] teams into inaccessible areas on the east, north, and west sides of the mountain, lowering rangers to
232-513: Is a world-class facility. The training center is in the high desert and is covered with sagebrush, volcanic formations, dry gulches, and large rock outcroppings. YTC has vast flat valleys separated by intervening ridges that are suited to large-scale mechanized or motorized forces. Much of the steeper terrain resembles areas of Afghanistan. Twenty-five ranges, including the state-of-the-art Multi-Purpose Range Complex and Shoot House, are available for individual or collective training. Prior to 1941,
290-630: Is available at the Yakima Training Center in eastern Washington, including maneuver areas and additional live fire ranges. In 2009, the former Fort Lewis Regional Correction Facility was remodeled and renamed the Northwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility (NWJRCF). The facility houses minimum- and medium-security prisoners from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. During the summer months (June, July, and August), JBLM North hosts
348-516: Is located within the installation's area. As of the 2000 census , the CDP, which includes the most densely populated part of the base, had a total population of 19,089. As of the census of 2000, there were 19,089 people, 3,476 households, and 3,399 families residing on the base. The population density was 1,248.5 people per square mile (482.0/km ). There were 3,560 housing units at an average density of 232.8 per square mile (89.9/km ). The racial makeup of
406-428: 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
464-582: 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. The census-designated place (CDP) Fort Lewis
522-616: The C-17 Globemaster III . The Joint Base Garrison operates the installation on behalf of the warfighting units, families, and extended military community who depend on JBLM for support. The mission of the unit is to provide support to mission commanders and the joint base community, to serve as an enabler to the soldiers as they train and project America's combat power, and to make JBLM the station of choice for American soldiers and their families. With an Army joint base commander and an Air Force deputy joint base commander,
580-679: The CONUS hub for the Alaskan West Coast Wing , ferrying supplies, equipment, and aircraft to the Eleventh Air Force at Elmendorf Field , near Anchorage. Also used by Air Technical Service Command as an aircraft maintenance and supply depot, primarily to service aircraft being sent to Alaska . The Army Air Force closed its facilities in 1947. According to the United States Census Bureau ,
638-700: The Iraq War . On February 5, 2004, Task Force Olympia was activated as a sub-element of I Corps headquarters with the mission to command forward-deployed units in Iraq . This marked the first time that I Corps had forward soldiers in combat since the end of the Korean War . Task Force Olympia included units from all three components of the Army (Active, Reserve, and National Guard) as well as Marine and Australian officers. Task Force Olympia's subordinate units included
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#1732772133424696-485: The Leader Development and Assessment Course , a capstone program for the U.S. Army's ROTC program. Also adjacent to the post is Camp Murray ( Washington National Guard ). The Yakima Training Center is a major sub-installation of JBLM and provides a full range of training lands and ranges to active and reserve component units. Encompassing more than 320,000 acres (500 sq mi; 1,300 km ), YTC
754-485: The Yakima Training Center covers 324,000 acres (506 sq mi; 1,310 km ). JBLM Main & North have abundant, high-quality, close-in training areas, including 115 live fire ranges. Additional training space is available at the Yakima Training Center in eastern Washington, including maneuver areas and additional live fire ranges. In 2009, the former Fort Lewis Regional Correction Facility
812-461: The federal government for permanent use as a military installation. A portion of the initial land was taken from the Nisqually tribe 's reservation. (The Nisqually people would later petition unsuccessfully for the return of this land.) In 1927, Pierce County passed another bond measure to establish a military airfield just north of Fort Lewis. The airfield, called Tacoma Field, opened in 1930 and
870-410: The 1st JMB) in 2011. The United States Army's I Corps commands most Army units at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and conducts planning and liaison with other assigned active and Reserve component units in the continental United States. It is one of the active Army's contingency corps. I Corps stays prepared to deploy on short notice worldwide to command up to five divisions or a joint task force. In 1981,
928-617: The 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division , which deployed for Iraq on November 8, 2003, and returned to Fort Lewis after one year of combat duty, and the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division , which departed Fort Lewis on September 15, 2004, for one year, and returned in September 2005. On June 1, 2006, the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, changed its name and became the 2d Cavalry Regiment, Stryker Brigade Combat Team, with its home station in Germany. A new unit then unveiled
986-692: The 508th Military Police Battalion (Internment/Resettlement) 16 October 2005 at Fort Lewis, Washington, and deployed in December to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 508th Military Police Battalion (I/R) was constituted on 29 July 1921 in the Organized Reserves as the 308th Military Police Battalion. The battalion was withdrawn from the Organized Reserves on 1 January 1938 and allotted to the Regular Army. The battalion
1044-694: The Army . It is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. The Army Corrections Command exercises command and control, operational oversight, and support of the ACS. ACS facilities are located at the following installations: Fort Leavenworth , Fort Lewis , Coleman Barracks USAREUR , and Camp Humphreys USFK . The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) (ASA) (M&RA) exercises Army Secretary oversight for Army Corrections, parole and clemency functions. ACC will standardize, eliminate command layers and streamline corrections operations across
1102-748: The Army. As of 2007, it managed 1,700 civilian and military personnel, 2,300 military prisoners in military and Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities or on mandatory supervised release or parole. Prisoner uniforms for regular post-trial male inmates include brown shirts and trousers. Male trustee prisoners in the minimum and medium custodies wear special blue shirt and trouser uniforms. Maximum custody male prisoners wear orange jumpsuits. Pre-trial male prisoners wear tan-colored shirts and trousers. Female pre-trial and post-trial prisoners wear light blue shirt and trouser uniforms. Headgear consists of orange watch caps and orange ball caps. During "cold weather" periods, prisoners wear brown coats. The USDB will determine
1160-533: The CDP has a total area of 15.9 square miles (41.2 km ), of which 15.3 square miles (39.6 km ) are land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km ) 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
1218-715: The Department of Defense. In October 1992, the GTSB was inactivated and the battalion was redesignated as the Law Enforcement Battalion consisting of the Correctional Holding Detachment, B Company (garrison law enforcement) and C Company (corrections). On 30 March 1993, Department of the Army redesignated the Law Enforcement Battalion as the 704th Military Police Battalion. The battalion was activated, reorganized, and redesignated as
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#17327721334241276-669: The Garrison Troop Support Battalion (GTSB) assumed command of 15 rear detachment commands. The IDF commander was designated the commander of the GTSB. On 1 May 1991, the IDF was reorganized as a Regional Corrections Facility to support Army commands and activities in the Western United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Korea. The facility operated a wide variety of correctional and employment programs to support prisoners from all military departments within
1334-526: The I Corps was reactivated at Fort Lewis. On October 12, 1999, General Eric K. Shinseki , Chief of Staff of the Army, announced I Corps would lead the acceleration of Army transformation, training, and the initial creation of the first two Stryker Brigade Combat Teams at Fort Lewis. Since September 11, 2001, I Corps and Fort Lewis assets have been active in providing support for Global War on Terrorism operations, including Operation Noble Eagle (Homeland Defense), Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), and
1392-532: The IDF population began to regularly exceed 50 Army prisoners although many times prior it was well over that amount. The IDF was officially established as a Regional Corrections Facility on 20 June 1984. As the number of Desert Storm unit deployments increased, the Acting Commander, I Corps & Fort Lewis approved the activation of a Provisional Battalion Headquarters to assume command of rear detachment units. When officially activated on 30 November 1990,
1450-978: The Joint Base Garrison. JBLM Soldiers receive medical care through on-base Madigan Healthcare System facilities such as the Madigan Army Medical Center , the Okubo Clinic, and the Nisqually Clinic. JBLM Airmen receive medical care at the McChord Clinic as well as the Madigan Army Medical Center. JBLM has more than 25,000 soldiers and civilian workers. The post supports over 120,000 military retirees and more than 29,000 family members living both on and off-post. Fort Lewis proper contains 86,000 acres (134 sq mi; 350 km ), and
1508-1173: The Joint Base Public Affairs Office, the Religious Support Office, the Resource Management Office, the Equal Employment Opportunity Office, the Installation Safety Office, and the Plans, Analysis, and Integration Office. Other partners who work closely with the Joint Base Garrison include the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center, the Mission and Installation Contracting Command, and the Joint Personal Property Shipping Office. Three military units support
1566-845: The Regional Corrections facility was realigned under the Army Corrections Command . On 30 April 2009, the memorandum of agreement between all services as directed by BRAC 2005, established the partnership with the Consolidated Naval Brig Miramar Detachment Puget Sound, as the Northwestern Joint Regional Correctional Facility. In the second half of 2019, it was announced that the NWJRCF would be demolished for
1624-586: The Shoot House and Urban Assault Course opened in 2005. YTC has an AAFES shopette, a recreation center, and a gymnasium available to soldiers and their families. The Firing Point community club, with cafeteria, opened in February 2009. Gray Army Airfield ( IATA : GRF , ICAO : KGRF ) is a military airport located within Fort Lewis. The field is named in honor of Captain Lawrence C. Gray, who died during
1682-578: The Stetten Kaserne, Dachau Strasse, responsible for law and order operations in the locale and on the Munich and Garmisch Military Posts. The battalion was inactivated 1 July 1964 in Germany, and reactivated 25 August 1967 at Fort Riley, Kansas. Companies A, B, C, and D were inactivated 1 November 1970, followed by the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment on 29 March 1973. In October 2008,
1740-675: The U.S. military services. The unit began as the 2122st Garrison Support Unit (Army Reserve), overseeing the mobilization of about 27,000 Soldiers. The group of fewer than a dozen personnel mobilized about 15,000 soldiers within three weeks at the start of the War in Afghanistan . The unit was redesignated the 654th Area Support Group (Forward) in May 2004 and the 1st JMB in March 2007. Training and mobilization validation moved to individual units (instead of
1798-620: The United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, KS. During the Vietnam War the facility was managed by personnel from the 18th Military Police Company (Escort Guard), 392d MP Bn, 2 MP Gp. The Company personnel were supplemented by soldiers from units assigned to Ft. Lewis which raised the company headcount to upwards of 270 guard personnel. Not until the commencement of the Vietnam War did
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1856-586: The area consisted of ranches and a few scattered silica mines. Just before World War II, the Army's need for a large training and maneuver area became apparent, and the Army negotiated with landowners to lease 160,000 acres (250 sq mi; 650 km ) for the Yakima Anti-Aircraft Artillery Range. Military organizations in the Pacific Northwest used the center for range firing and small unit tests. The first range
1914-558: The base was 60.4% White , 20.3% African American , 1.4% Native American , 3.4% Asian , 1.8% Pacific Islander , 6.2% from other races , and 6.4% from two or more races. 13.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 3,476 households, out of which 85.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 89.3% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 2.2% were non-families. Of all households, 2.0% were made up of individuals, and 0.0% had someone living alone who
1972-546: The center. At the start of the Korean War, the Army decided to expand the Yakima Training Center. In 1951, the Installation was enlarged to 261,451 acres (1,058.05 km ), and construction of the current cantonment area began. In 1986, a further expansion was initiated, and in 1992, the Army acquired additional land to enlarge YTC to 327,000 acres (1,320 km ). The Multi-Purpose Range Complex opened in 1989, and
2030-541: The civilian community or return to duty. On order, prepare individual soldiers to deploy and conduct full-spectrum operations. The NWJRCF consists of primarily of Army Soldiers assigned to the 508th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade . These Soldiers are joined by several members of the Navy assigned to the sub base in Bangor who serve as the liaisons for their respective service personnel incarcerated within
2088-579: The colors of its new designation on June 1, 2006: the 4th Brigade, 2d Infantry Division. Subordinate units assigned to Fort Lewis are: JBLM has more than 25,000 soldiers and civilian workers. The post supports over 120,000 military retirees and more than 29,000 family members living both on and off-post. Fort Lewis proper contains 86,000 acres (350 km ), the Yakima Training Center covers 324,000 acres (1,310 km ). JBLM Main & North have abundant, high-quality, close-in training areas, including 115 live fire ranges. Additional training space
2146-501: The construction of a new facility to be built on the same site. A ceremony to commemorate the closure of the (old) NWJRCF and celebrate the groundbreaking for the (new) NWJRCF facility was held on 3 March 2020. 47°05′14″N 122°38′01″W / 47.0872681°N 122.6336516°W / 47.0872681; -122.6336516 Fort Lewis (Washington) Fort Lewis is a United States Army base located 9.1 miles (14.6 km) south-southwest of Tacoma, Washington . Fort Lewis
2204-496: The departure of the 4th Infantry Division (United States) for Vietnam in 1966, Fort Lewis once again became a personnel transfer and training center. David H. Hackworth described his service commanding a training battalion at the Fort during the Vietnam War in his memoir "About Face". In 1972, the 9th Infantry Division (United States) was reactivated and trained there until its deactivation in 1991. The Fort Lewis Military Museum
2262-688: The execution of condemned military prisoners. Prior to its establishment in 2007, prisons operated under the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command , U.S. Army Forces Command , U.S. Army Europe , and U.S. Forces Korea . On 2 October 2007, the US Army Corrections Command (ACC) was established as a Field Operating Agency (FOA) under the Operational Control of the United States Army Provost Marshal General , Department of
2320-492: The facility and also assist in the daily operations of the facility. The staff is rounded out Navy Department and Army civilians. The Fort Lewis Regional Corrections Facility (RCF) was activated in March 1957 as an Installation Detention Facility (IDF) to specifically satisfy the post's short term confinement and those transfers to the United States Corrections Brigade at Fort Riley , Kansas or
2378-439: The final drive of the allied armies into Germany performing traffic control, operation of straggler control points, and suppression of violence between Russian and Polish displaced persons and German Civilians in and around the area of Dueren, Germany. The battalion was reorganized and redesignated 20 October 1947 as the 508th Military Police Service Battalion. During 1945–51 the battalion and its subordinate companies were located in
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2436-418: The garrison supports the installation through directorates and agencies that provide a full range of city services and quality-of-life functions, everything from facility maintenance, recreation, and family programs to training support and emergency services. The major organizations that make up the bulk of the Joint Base Garrison include: Additional staff offices that support the installation mission include
2494-555: The government's "enemy alien" internment program during World War II . The Japanese and Italian internees were transferred to Fort Missoula and the Germans to Fort Lincoln , and the temporary detention facility closed on March 30, 1943. Italian prisoners of war, organized into units, were trained as quartermaster units at Fort Lewis since, after Italy surrendered to the Allies and declared war on Germany , they were not strictly held to
2552-494: The ground by a cable device known as a "jungle penetrator". Helicopters began assisting with high-altitude (above 10,000 feet) SAR operations in the 1980s. Helicopters were also used for "short haul" rescue operations, in which a ranger and litter were carried in a sling below the helicopter to the scene of the accident. During World War II, the Air Transport Command's 4131st Army Air Force Base Unit used GAAF as
2610-586: The land to the federal government for military use. The only stipulation was that the tract be used as a permanent army post. Captain David L. Stone and his staff arrived at the camp site on May 26, 1917, and a few days later the initial construction began. As work on the camp was pushing forward, the War Department named it "Camp Lewis" after Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The entire camp
2668-409: The main gate, which is still standing. The arch was built of fieldstone and squared logs, resembling the old blockhouses that stood in the northwest as forts. Some 60,000 men, including the 13th and 91st Divisions , moved into the hastily constructed cantonment to train for World War I. Recruited largely from the northwest, the 91st was considered "Washington's Own." In 1917, Pierce County, through
2726-413: 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 , 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command , and the 1st Special Forces Group . However, the Headquarters of the 7th Infantry Division
2784-589: The process of condemnation proceedings (eminent domain), took 3,370 acres (13.6 km ) of the Nisqually Indian Reservation (14 km ) for the Fort Lewis Military Reserve. The following two years saw tremendous activity at Camp Lewis as men mobilized and trained for war service. With the conclusion of the war, activities at Lewis ground to a standstill. Camp Lewis passed from the hands of Pierce County and became
2842-581: The property of the federal government when the deed for 62,432 acres (253 km ) was recorded in the county auditor's office in Tacoma. When World War I ended in 1918, the Nisqually people petitioned for their land to be returned to them, but the request was denied by the Secretary of War , Newton Baker . Brigadier General David L. Stone, who had supervised the original construction of Fort Lewis as
2900-485: The work requirements that prohibited prisoners of war from working on items directly headed for the war or in the war effort. At the conclusion of World War II, the northwest staging area of Fort Lewis became a separation center and discharged its first soldiers in October 1945. Sometime in the early 1960s, Interstate 5 was built through the fort, separating the northwest corner of the fort and creating "Northfort". With
2958-414: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.75, and the average family size was 3.78. United States Army Corrections Command The United States Army Corrections Command (ACC) exercises command and control and operational oversight for policy, programming, resourcing, and support of Army Corrections System (ACS) facilities and TDA elements worldwide. On order, ACC coordinates
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#17327721334243016-400: Was constructed in 1942 on Umtanum Ridge , 13 miles (21 km) northeast of the present cantonment area. In 1947, approximately 60,000 acres (240 km ) were cleared of unexploded ammunition and returned to the original owners. During 1949 and 1950, the state of Washington used the center for summer training of its National Guard units, and regular Army troops were permanently assigned to
3074-455: Was established in 1972 to preserve and document the post's history. The base received much media attention in the wake of the Kandahar massacre , committed by a Fort Lewis soldier in March 2012. The 1st Joint Mobilization Brigade disbanded in late May 2014. It previously controlled and provided host unit support for mobilizing, deploying, and demobilizing reserve component units from all
3132-513: 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 km ) of prairie land cut from the glacier -flattened Nisqually Plain. It is
3190-447: Was ready for occupancy a month ahead of schedule. In 90 days, Stone had supervised the construction of a "city" of 757 buildings and 422 other structures, all lighted and heated for 60,000 men. The first recruits moved into their new barracks on September 5, 1917, exactly two months after the post building plan had been handed to the contractors. When they implemented the auction of the new cantonment, workmen subscribed for $ 4,000 to build
3248-526: Was redesignated on 1 June 1940 as the 508th Military Police Battalion. The battalion was activated on 20 March 1944 at Fort Sam Houston , Texas, and arrived in the European Theater in December 1944. It initially served in England where in January 1945, it was transferred to the newly formed 15th Army. In mid-March, the 508th was moved to France and attached to 1st Army. The battalion participated in
3306-428: Was remodeled and renamed the Northwest Joint Regional Correctional Facility (NWJRCF). The facility houses minimum- and medium-security prisoners from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Also adjacent to the post is Camp Murray ( Washington National Guard ). Fort Lewis was originally established in 1917 with the passage of a Pierce County bond measure to purchase 70,000 acres (280 km ) of land to donate to
3364-540: Was renamed McChord Field in 1940. McChord Field separated from Fort Lewis when the U.S. Air Force was created in 1947 and was subsequently renamed McChord Air Force Base. The two bases operated independently of one another for more than 60 years before merging in 2010. Fort Lewis began as Camp Lewis in 1917, when the citizens of Pierce County voted by an eight-to-one margin to bond themselves for $ 2,000,000 (equivalent to $ 47,563,636 in 2023) to buy 68,721 acres (107.377 sq mi; 278.10 km ) of land. They donated
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