An official army family and MWR Site
  • Home
  • Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day McChord Flightline

Saturday, May 17, 2025
11 a.m.– 6 p.m.

Heritage Hill, McChord Field

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC* | FREE ADMISSION | FREE PARKING

*Non-DoD ID cardholders, attending without a DoD ID cardholder sponsor in the vehicle, must complete online preregistration before attending the event.
VISITOR PRE-REGISTRATION LINK COMING APRIL 2025
Questions about access?
Please email usarmy.jblm.imcom.list.des-aie@army.mil

Armed Forces Day will be held rain or shine.

Armed Forces Day will be on Heritage Hill, McChord Field from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. on Saturday, May 17. The event is free and open to the public.

Come out and enjoy activities for all ages. Explore static military aircraft and vehicle displays, including infantry-carrying vehicles and weapons displays. See living history encampments representing military life in the past and ask questions to learn more about bygone eras of military field life.

Look for stage entertainment, roving entertainers, games, food and craft vendors and more.

  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
Access Information

Non-DoD ID card holders, ages 18 and older, attending the event without a DoD ID card holder sponsor in the vehicle must be vetted online prior to attending the event. Shortly after submitting the form, you should receive a text message confirming or denying your access to the event. The driver’s license used during submission will become your Armed Forces Day event pass, valid for the event only. Visitor Pre-Registration link coming soon

Attending with your family? A separate registration for each individual is not necessary. You can add your other attendees to your registration, by hitting “Add Attendee.”

All adults 18 years and older will have their government-issued ID scanned at the gate prior to admission to the event. (Ages 17 and younger do not have to show ID.)

There is a Real ID Act exemption for the Armed Forces Day event; a regular WA state driver’s license will suffice for access.

Foreign nationals will require a DoD ID card holder sponsor and are required to stop at the McChord Field Visitor’s Center before proceeding to the event.

While riding the shuttle bus to the event site is no longer required for the general public, parking is limited around the event site. 

Questions about access to the event? Please email usarmy.jblm.imcom.list.des-aie@army.mil

Schedules
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
Event & Parking Maps

Parking & Bus Stop Map 
2025 map coming in April.

Armed Forces Day Event Area Map  Click to enlarge
AFD-Map-2024-V4.jpg

Prohibited & Permitted Items

 Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a U.S. Government federal installation.

Law enforcement will be present, and everyone will be subject to search. Prohibited items found will be confiscated and will not be returned. Also, no political activity (campaigning, handing out literature, etc.) is allowed. Finally, no social protests or demonstrations are allowed on a DoD military installation.

PROHIBITED ITEMS:

  • NO DRUGS: Marijuana and illegal drugs are strictly prohibited on Federal installations.
  • NO CONCEALED WEAPONS: JBLM does not recognize any concealed weapons permits.
  • NO WEAPONS: Knives (of any sort or size), firearms (regardless of credential or CWP), scissors, tasers, stun guns, pepper spray/mace, pocket tools, box cutters, nunchakus, batons, toys that resemble guns, laser pointers, fireworks, ammunition, etc. 
  • NO WHEELS: Skateboards, skates, rollerblades, Heelys, scooters, bikes, hoverboards, Segways, electric unicycles, Onewheels, and the like are not permitted. 
  • NO PETS: Exception – Medical Service Dogs (harnessed and leashed) and Military Working Dogs. Emotional Support Animals are not considered service animals.
  • NO OUTSIDE FOOD: Food, coolers, cans/bottles, glass containers, alcohol or liquids are not permitted. Exception – baby food.
  • NO LARGE BAGS: Bags may be either clear stadium-approved plastic tote bags (not to exceed 12” x 12” x 6”) or school-size backpacks (not to exceed 20” x 15”). Exceptions: oxygen tanks.
  • NO LARGE LAWN CHAIRS: Standard-sized folding camping chairs are allowed but must be out of bags when searched.
  • NO TENTS, POP-UP CANOPY, AWNINGS or LARGE GOLF/BEACH UMBRELLAS: Exception – standard umbrellas not exceeding 40” (when opened) are allowed.
  • NO DRONES, FLYERS OR RADIO EQUIPMENT: Remote control aircraft, all flying/bouncing objects, balloons, spray paint and silly string are not permitted.
  • NO SMOKING except in designated areas. No marijuana vape concentrate.
  • NO SELFIE STICKS 

PERMITTED ITEMS:

  • WATER: Water in store-bought, unopened/sealed clear plastic bottles, empty refillable drink containers, and empty hydration pack (i.e., CamelBaks) are allowed. 
  • STROLLER, WHEELCHAIRS, ETC: Wheelchairs, walking aids, strollers and wagons are allowed. Strollers cannot exceed 31” x 52” and wagons cannot exceed 19” x 33”.
  • BABY ITEMS: Baby food, milk/formula, strollers, diaper bags are allowed. 
  • SERVICE DOGS: Only Medical Service Dogs are allowed (harnessed and leashed). Emotional Support Animals are not considered service animals.

Partner with us! For information on attending future events as a vendor, contact JBLM Special Events.

 

Best viewed on a desktop or laptop computer, or in desktop mode on mobile.