Pentagon renames Joint Base Charleston as Joint Base Lindsey Graham

Published Jul 28, 07:57 PM UTC

The Pentagon is renaming Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina as 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 and Air Force Reserve senior lawyer. The renaming was announced via a memo signed by Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink, citing Graham's decades of distinguished service to Congress and the Air Force. The announcement coincided with Graham's memorial service at the U.S. Capitol and a larger service at Washington National Cathedral where President Donald Trump spoke. Graham, who chaired the Senate Budget Committee, had recently secured $212 million in funding for Coast Guard improvements at the base. Joint Base Charleston hosts over 90,000 military personnel across four installations and operates C-17 cargo aircraft.