News

  • VA to decrease SGLI rates effective July 1

    Good news for service members' wallets! Effective July 1, 2019, the SGLI premium rate is decreasing. If you have coverage now, nothing will change except the price will be lower. Premiums are dropping $4 per month for those with maximum coverage. SGLI is available in $50,000 increments, up to a

  • Running with faith: an Airman’s journey to redemption

    ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Standing there with a knife in hand and cold-hearted from the most devastating news of his life, Master Sgt. Brandan “Troy” Keel contemplated an irreversible decision. Looking into his wife’s eyes after learning she was pregnant with another man’s baby, he couldn’t

  • Awards ceremony recognizes excellence

    Every year the 446th Airlift ‘Rainier’ Wing celebrates top performers with an annual awards presentation. This year, Col. Sean Pierce, 446th Airlift Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Kenellias Smith, 446th AW command chief, presented awards for outstanding achievement at the McChord Club May

  • Reservist key player in saving space station

    When a missile launched by India destroyed a low orbit Indian satellite during a test last month, it sent more than 400 pieces of debris spiraling toward the International Space Station and astronauts on board.

  • Vandenberg AFB aids during exercise Patriot Hook 2019

    Exercise Patriot Hook 2019, an annual joint-service exercise coordinated by the Air Force Reserve Command, took place at Vandenberg Air Force Base, April 10 through 15. The five day long exercise demonstrated the execution of civil relief operations that would typically occur following a natural

  • Inspired to collect lifesaving DNA

    After learning a colleague’s son was battling leukemia and needed a lifesaving bone marrow transplant, one Rainier Wing member sprang into action.

  • Reserve Airmen save life in-flight

    A reserve aeromedical evacuation crew from the 433rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron with the 433rd Airlift Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, was flying to support patient transport missions out of Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland when they came together to save the life of a man

  • Rainier Wing changes command

    Col. Sean P. Pierce will assume his role as the 446th Airlift Wing’s newest commander following a change of command ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Jan. 6.

  • Rosie the Riveter honored at March ARB

    When Elinor Otto enters a room, her orange hair might be the first thing noticed, but her energy, joy, and sense of humor quickly supersede. Despite turning down an opportunity to be an actor as a young woman, according to John Perry, her grandson, she has now reached celebrity status. Otto has

  • Operation Turkey Drop Delivers

    Operation Turkey Drop is an annual event sponsored by the Pierce Military and Business Alliance (PMBA) that brings together Puget Sound businesses to offer community help to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Volunteers raised cash and food donations that were distributed to troops of all service branches,