News Front
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD - Two M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) platoons from 17th Field Artillery Brigade had the opportunity to train alongside air crews with the 62nd Airlift Wing during Rainier War, at both Yakima, Washington, and Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah from Nov. 6-9. Rainier War is an Air
Family
For the past 27 years, Pierce County Parks has delighted thousands of families from near and far with miles of elaborate light displays. Fantasy Lights is the largest holiday drive-through display in the Northwest and features nearly 300 displays with thousands of dazzling lights. For those new to the area, this
News Front
JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD - Joint Base Lewis-McChord shoppers can put their best face forward thanks to MAC Cosmetics, now open at the Lewis Exchange shopping center. Exchange leaders cut the ribbon on the store, which offers makeup and skincare products, Nov. 4. "The Exchange is all in for improving the shopping experience
News Front
The pandemic has imposed unusual hardships on the military, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is taking immediate steps to alleviate the worst effects. Austin announced the moves he's taking to strengthen economic security in the armed forces. He spoke during a Pentagon news conference Nov. 17. "The pandemic and
News Front
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD - The C-17 West Coast Demonstration Team concluded its 2021 season with its 14th show at the Wings Over North Georgia Airshow in Rome, Georgia, Oct. 31. Since the beginning of the season in April, the C-17 Globemaster III Demo team, which consists of seven pilots and five
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The City of Lacey's annual Lighted Parade and Lighting of the Christmas Trees is back this year! Since 1996, the City of Lacey has been celebrating the holidays with an old-fashioned Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and in most recent years, lighting up all of Huntamer Park in Woodland Square, for visitors
News Front
The Department of the Air Force released findings from a force-wide Interpersonal Violence Task Force Nov. 9, which studied the depth and scope of how airmen and guardians are affected by interpersonal violence. The results are available for download here. After the Secretary of the Air Force established the Interpersonal Violence
Focus
Brig. Gen. Gent Welsh, Commander, Washington Air National Guard (WA ANG), is most proud of the six years he spent as an enlisted airman. "I started with nothing, and I've gone from Airman Basic to now the General Officer ranks," he began, "and my foundation was laid down as an enlisted
News Front
The images of and stories about service members suffering chronic illnesses and various cancers after throwing waste items into burn pits during combat operations over the past two decades only presents a part of the toxic exposure problem the military faces. While it is clear that burn pits do release toxins
News Front
While the overall size and racial diversity of our military remained steady, the number of women serving in the active duty force, both enlisted and officers has grown slightly, according to the newly released 2020 Demographics Profile of the Military Community report. Current stats also show the Army leads with personnel
Veterans
Do you want to find more information on VA benefits and services? Do you have a question, concern, recommendation, or compliment for VA? Then use the new "Ask VA" portal! WHAT IS ASK VA? The Ask VA online question portal, launched on October 18, 2021, was created to provide the veteran community
Military Policy
WASHINGTON - Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael A. Grinston announced the Army will expand its temporary promotion policy to all non-commissioned officer ranks, giving soldiers more time to complete required training schools. "Our goal is to develop every leader for promotion," Grinston said during a media roundtable Nov 1. "This
News Front
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — There are changes coming soon to the TRICARE retail pharmacy network. Starting Dec. 15, 2021, CVS Pharmacy will join the TRICARE network. At the same time, Walmart, Sam's Club, and some community pharmacies will leave the network. Express Scripts is the TRICARE pharmacy contractor. They manage the
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Debuting in its inaugural year in Seattle with the intent to take the tour nationally, Saddle Up Country Fest - presented by 100.7 the Wolf in partnership with Lane Records and Sky High Music - will kick off on Dec. 4 at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent. Headlining the show
Focus
ARLINGTON, Va. - In July, a class that teaches recovering soldiers to create glass artwork resumed after 14 months on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that it's back up and running, it's providing participants with a unique creative opportunity. The glass blowing class is a one-of-a-kind adaptive reconditioning option
News Front
The U.S. military services have all set deadlines for when service members must be vaccinated against COVID-19. The first of those deadlines, for active duty Air Force personnel, arrived Nov. 2. Right now, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said about 97% of the total force has been vaccinated with at least
News Front
YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER - Just a little over 100 miles southeast of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, nestled in the picturesque shrub-steppe desert northeast of Yakima, one can find the Yakima Training Center. Spanning more than 327,000 acres, YTC is one of the largest warfighter training areas on the West Coast. Every branch of military
News Front
DALLAS - More than 500,000 Department of Defense and Coast Guard civilians and retirees now have access to the largest Exchange in the world, tax free, at ShopMyExchange.com. DoD and Coast Guard civilians were granted in-store shopping access May 1 after a change in DoD policy. To authenticate active and retired
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It's all about the water in Thurston County! From local brews made with artesian well water to interactive educational exhibits, there is no lack of family-friendly activities in the Olympia area. Well 80 Brewhouse, located on Fourth Ave. in Olympia, is built on the site of one of Olympia's famous artesian
Family
November is a month for family celebrations and gatherings, a time for togetherness and giving. November also provides an opportunity to honor military families, recognize their sacrifices and celebrate their service. "We have some amazing families in the Washington National Guard," said Carl Steele, Director of the Washington National Guard's Joint
