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Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day McChord Flightline

Saturday, May 18, 11 a.m.– 6 p.m.

Heritage Hill, McChord Field

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC* | FREE ADMISSION | FREE PARKING

*NON-DOD ID CARD HOLDERS ATTENDING WITHOUT A DOD ID CARD HOLDER SPONSOR IN THE VEHICLE MUST COMPLETE ONLINE VETTING BEFORE ATTENDING THE EVENT. VISITOR PRE-REGISTRATION LINK

Armed Forces Day will be on Heritage Hill, McChord Field from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. 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, military dog demonstrations, games, food and craft vendors and more.

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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: https://pass.aie.army.mil/?b=usa&i=joint_base_lewis%E2%80%93mcchord&e=SF0BDKRF

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. To utilize several parking areas, we will offer free rotating buses from the McChord Club parking lot to Bldg. 100 near the event site. After enjoying the event, return to the Bldg. 100 parking lot and catch the shuttle bus back to your vehicle. (Please note: There may or may not be additional bus stops along the way.)

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

Stage Schedule

Coming soon!

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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 (certified, harnessed and leashed) and Military Working Dogs.
  • 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.
Map

Click to enlarge
AFD-Map-2024-V2.jpg

Partner with us! For information on attending future events as a vendor, contact JBLM Special Events. Food and craft vendors for this event are now full. 

SponsorsArmed-Forces-Day-sponsors.jpg

No federal endorsement implied.