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McChord, Lewis posts to merge in 2010

The merger of McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis, Wash., into a joint base will not take effect until 2010, giving officials at both bases an extra year to work out the details of how they will share responsibilities.

The bases are included in the second of two phases of the joint basing consolidation process, meaning they must sign in September 2009 a memorandum of agreement that will outline how the integration will proceed, said McChord spokeswoman Capt. Suzanne Ovel. The new Joint Base Lewis-McChord – like other bases included in Phase II – will reach initial operational capability in January 2010, she said, and will be fully integrated by October 2010.

“This is a slow-moving process, kind of methodical, but we want to make sure we get it done right the first time,” Ovel said. “We’re still continuing to inventory our installation support requirements and working with Fort Lewis.”

The base merger is a result of the 2005 round of Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC. As part of that process, 25 Army, Navy and Air Force bases will be consolidated into 12 joint bases. Bases in Guam, Virginia, South Carolina, Texas, Alaska and the National Capitol Region are also targeted.

The Army will manage support functions such as recreation and child-care programs at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.