Pentagon renames Joint Base Charleston after late Sen. Lindsey Graham

Published Jul 28, 07:57 PM UTC

The Pentagon is renaming Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina to Joint Base Lindsey Graham, honoring the late Republican U.S. senator who died July 11 at age 71 from an aortic dissection. Graham served 33 years in the Air Force as a staff judge advocate, Air National Guard officer, and Air Force Reserve senior lawyer. He was elected to the House in 1994 and the Senate in 2002. Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink signed a memo directing staff to begin the renaming process, citing Graham's decades of distinguished service. Graham, as Senate Budget Committee chairman, secured $212 million for Coast Guard readiness at the base. The announcement coincided with Graham's memorial service at the U.S. Capitol and a larger service at Washington National Cathedral with President Donald Trump. Joint Base Charleston houses over 90,000 personnel across four installations and manages a C-17 cargo fleet.