Gray Army Airfield, Washington

Gray Army Airfield (GAAF) is a U.S. Army aviation facility located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (formerly Fort Lewis) near Tacoma, Washington. It serves as a key hub for Army rotary-wing operations in the Pacific Northwest and supports training, logistical, and deployment missions for both active-duty and reserve aviation units.

Originally constructed in the late 1920s, Gray Army Airfield was named for Major Harold I. Gray, a pioneer Army aviator killed in a 1927 crash. During World War II, it became a major training and logistics center for Army Air Forces operations in the Pacific. Over the decades, it has evolved to support a variety of helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft missions tied to the Army's tactical mobility needs.

Today, GAAF is integral to Joint Base Lewis-McChord's aviation capabilities. It supports the operations of units such as the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, which operates UH-60 Black Hawk, CH-47 Chinook, and AH-64 Apache helicopters. The airfield also accommodates training for air assault, medevac, and cargo transport missions, serving both Army and inter-service exercises.

The airfield includes multiple runways and helipads, hangars, maintenance facilities, and support infrastructure designed for large-scale aviation activity. Its proximity to the base's expansive training areas allows for efficient integration of air and ground operations, enhancing readiness for rapid deployment and response.

As part of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Gray Army Airfield plays a crucial role in U.S. Indo-Pacific Command logistics and training efforts. Its location on the West Coast makes it a critical node for projecting Army aviation capabilities across the Pacific region and supporting humanitarian or contingency operations worldwide.