From TNT reporter Brent Champaco:

Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base plan to consolidate forces in about 15 general areas when they become a joint base in two years.

Those areas include management, housing, supplies, emergency services and information technology.

Joe Jimenez, Fort Lewis spokesman on the joint basing, told the Lakewood City Council Monday that the exact details of the merger won't be known until the two installations sign a memorandum of understanding next year.

But it appears that little will change in terms of operations when the two instillations become Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

"In some ways for some folks, this will be the biggest change you'll never see," he said.

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Members of the 4th Airlift Squadron will return to McChord Air Force Base on Wednesday after serving a four-month deployment overseas.

More than 100 airmen served throughout Europe, Southwest Asia and the Middle East as part of the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, which is responsible for all C-17 Globemaster III missions throughout U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility.
One mission involved ferrying about 2,000 Georgian troops serving in Iraq to the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.

“Our nation, our community and this combat airlift wing are proud of the airmen from the 4th Airlift Squadron and its many contributions to the war effort,” Col. Jeffrey Stephenson, 62nd Airlift Wing commander, said in a press release. “We welcome them home with open arms and are grateful each member has safely returned to their family and friends.”

McChord’s four active-duty flying squadrons deploy on a rotational basis, often for four-month tours. The 8th Airlift Squadron deployed in late October, replacing the 4th Airlift Squadron.