McChord Field (joint Base Lewis-McChord) (KTCM), Washington
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
McChord Field, known by its ICAO code KTCM, is a military airfield within Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington. The field operates around the clock and is towered, with a long paved runway suited to large military aircraft alongside a shorter secondary strip. Access is private and restricted, with prior permission required for all transient aircraft, and customs inspection services available onsite subject to advance notice. The field sits within a cluster of other regional airports, including Gray Army Airfield just a few nautical miles away and Seattle-Tacoma International farther to the northeast.
Runways
McChord Field (joint Base Lewis-McChord) has two paved runways. The longest, 16/34, is 10,108 ft long and 150 ft wide, with an asphalt and concrete surface.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
McChord Field (joint Base Lewis-McChord) has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
McChord Field (joint Base Lewis-McChord) recorded 204 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in July. Business aviation traffic at KTCM is concentrated in the spring and mid-summer months, with a marked drop in October.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month July, 26 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Weather station is 4.3 NM from the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
McChord Field (joint Base Lewis-McChord) has published operating constraints in four categories: access, runway notes, emergency arresting systems and other notes.
Restricted: All aircraft, including scheduled AMC missions, require prior permission (PPR) 24 hours before arrival. PPRs are effective plus or minus 1 hour. Transient aircraft parking is extremely limited. Mission planners using McChord as a divert base must contact base operations (AMOPS). Aircraft remaining overnight more than 3 days, or requiring other than normal transient services, must contact the 62nd Airlift Wing plans office. All inbound aircraft must contact command post (Rainier Ops) no later than 30 minutes prior to landing.
Restricted: AMC aircraft operations are restricted during Bird Watch Condition Moderate, when takeoff and landing are permitted only if departure/arrival routes avoid identified bird activity, with no local IFR/VFR traffic pattern activity, and during Bird Watch Condition Severe, when takeoff and landing are prohibited without operations group or command post approval. Contact PTD, ATIS, or command post for current Bird Watch Condition.
Caution: When performing pre-takeoff engine runup, align the aircraft so that debris is not blown toward the ADTAC alert hangar or adjacent aircraft parking ramp. During VFR conditions, aircraft making low approaches, normal takeoffs, touch-and-go landings, or missed approaches must remain at or below 1,800 feet until reaching the departure end of the runway.
Customs/agriculture/immigration: Customs is available with 1 hour prior notice required on weekdays during 1600-0100Z, and 2 hours prior notice required at other times. Immigration inspection is on call, with 24 hours prior notice desired and 4 hours prior notice required. Unscheduled aircraft arriving between 0900Z and 1400Z may experience delays awaiting customs, agriculture, or immigration inspection.
AMP-1/AMP-3 overt/covert assault zone lights are installed in the middle 5,000 feet of runway 16/34. See AP/1 for details.
Caution: 1,000 feet of runway 16-34 is concrete and grooved. The runway is marked with a white non-reflective 90 foot by 3,500 foot VFR daytime assault landing zone.
Runway condition codes (RWYCC) are unavailable.
All taxiway edge lights and runway 16-34 edge, centerline, and touchdown zone lights are equipped with NTSD LED fixtures, which may not be compatible with all night vision devices or enhanced flight vision systems.
Arresting hook: BAK-12B(B), located 2,450 feet down the runway.
Arresting hook: BAK-12B(B), located 1,668 feet down the runway.
Fluid: SP Presair de-icing fluid application results in an expected 3 hour delay. LOX (liquid oxygen) is available.
Oil analysis (SOAP) grades O-128, 133, 148, and 156: results require 24 hours during 1530-0030Z on weekdays excluding holidays; results are not available outside those hours. Transient aircraft requiring SOAP testing should arrive with historical engine SOAP data for trend analysis.
Transient Alert operates 24 hours a day. Delays can be expected and parking is limited. All transient aircraft require Transient Alert follow-me assistance.
Restricted: Transient aircrews conducting local area low-level training missions must receive a local procedures and restrictions briefing from the 62nd Operations Support Squadron.
Traffic pattern: Before landing, maintain traffic pattern altitude commensurate with safety as long as practicable. Rectangular pattern altitude is 1,800 feet; overhead pattern altitude is 2,300 feet.
ATIS is available by phone and provides digital ATIS with data link capability.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
McChord Field (joint Base Lewis-McChord) has five airfields within 20 NM. The closest is Gray Aaf (joint Base Lewis-McChord) (KGRF), 5.52 NM southwest.
Part of the Seattle area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KTCM
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$1,200.00 catering order at KTCM.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
Is KTCM open to civilian transient aircraft?
KTCM, McChord Field at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, is a military airfield with a private use designation, not a public civil airport. Customs inspection services are available onsite, but all transient aircraft require prior permission and Transient Alert follow-me assistance on arrival. Mission planners using McChord as a divert base must contact base operations, and parking for transient aircraft is extremely limited. Civilian dispatchers should not treat this field as a routine alternate.
How long is the main runway at McChord Field?
The primary runway at McChord Field (KTCM) is runway 16/34, measuring 10,108 feet long and 150 feet wide with an asphalt-concrete surface. A secondary runway, 162/342, is also paved and measures 3,000 feet by 60 feet. The longer runway supports large military transport types, consistent with the field's role within Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Does McChord Field have arresting gear for aircraft?
Yes, KTCM is equipped with BAK-12B(B) hook arresting devices on the runway, positioned at 2,450 feet and 1,668 feet. This equipment is standard for military airfields supporting fixed-wing tactical or transport operations. Crews should account for this gear when planning arrivals or departures at McChord Field.
What customs procedures apply at KTCM?
Customs inspection services are available onsite at McChord Field, but advance notice is required. During weekday hours, one hour prior notice is required, while outside those hours two hours prior notice is needed. Agricultural and immigration inspections operate on call with four hours prior notice required, and unscheduled arrivals in certain overnight windows may experience delays awaiting inspection.