Washington Army base expanding

The 2-158th Assault Helicopter Battalion and 46th Aviation Support Battalion will activate at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, the U.S. Army announced October 25. The project - to be completed in October 2014 - eventually will add nearly 1,000 military personnel who will enroll in a relocation to the base, which features both Army and Air Force operations.

The activation of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade will accommodate the increased need of the Army's aviation assets, as well as provide combat commanders with well-trained and highly mobile forces that can operate worldwide.

The Joint Base Lewis-McChord base became operational on January 31, 2010, and it includes a common boundary, Army joint base commander, Air Force deputy commander, and base services that are managed and provided by the Army. The 415,000-acre base has a population of more than 100,000 on base and nearby.

"Creating the joint base is a complex process and requires us to consolidate all support services for our military units, our families and our retired community," the base said on its website. 

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