McChord Air Force Base occupies the northeastern section of a vast military reservation in Pierce County, which also includes the Fort Lewis army base. The size of a small town, McChord supports approximately 6,000 personnel who live in and around the base. For buyers in search of an affordable home, the base offers a wide selection of properties at prices well below the average for surrounding areas. Meanwhile, off-base communities like Lakewood, Tacoma, and Orting are seeing an influx of military buyers looking for a long-term home. With Veteran Mortgages now enabling purchases into the mid $300,000 range, real estate surrounding McChord and Fort Lewis is in high demand, and a great investment prospect. McChord's convenient location just south of the Interstate 5 corridor makes it an easy commute from anywhere in the Tacoma area.
McChord Field was established in 1938, and re-designated McChord Air Force Base a decade later. The base has been instrumental in a wide range of projects, including the Alaskan air defense system, and Air Defence Command. It's also served as a valuable Pacific support center during emergencies such as the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption, and the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption in the Philippines.
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