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 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 National Guard officer. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink signed a memo directing the renaming, citing Graham's decades of distinguished service to Congress and the Air Force. Graham, who chaired the Senate Budget Committee, 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 where President Donald Trump spoke. Joint Base Charleston houses over 90,000 military personnel across four installations and manages C-17 cargo aircraft.