JOINT BASE LINDSEY GRAHAM
JOINT BASES
Charleston, SC
United States
JOINT BASE LINDSEY GRAHAM
JOINT BASES
Charleston, SC
United States
Joint Base Lindsey Graham
Launch Point for the Nation’s Resolve
Base Essentials
Home of C-17 Globemaster airlift and the Navy Weapons Station in the Charleston, SC metro — a joint installation in one of the South's most livable cities with beaches, history, and strong military infrastructure.
Base Details
Type
Joint Base
Branch
JOINT BASES
Command
AMC
Status
Active
Est.
2010
Acres
7,280
Active Duty
7,000
Civilian
6,000
Population
800,000
Economic Impact
$3.5 billion
Joint Base Lindsey Graham History
Joint Base Lindsey Graham in South Carolina was established in 2010 by combining Charleston Air Force Base and Naval Weapons Station Charleston. It is home to the 628th Air Base Wing and the 437th Airlift Wing, operating C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. The base serves as a major strategic airlift and sealift hub, leveraging both its airfield and access to the port of Charleston. JB Charleston is one of the key nodes in the military's global mobility network.
The two primary hubs of the joint base are the Air Base, located in North Charleston (formerly Charleston Air Force Base), and the Weapons Station, located in Goose Creek (formerly Charleston Naval Weapons Station)
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
437th Airlift Wing
—
—
628th Air Base Wing
—
—
Naval Weapons Station
—
—
Historic Timeline
1942
Charleston Army Air Base Established
1966
C-141 Starlifter Arrives; Primary Airlift Mission
2010
Naval Weapons Station Combined to Form Joint Base
—
View Key Moments
(3)
1942
Charleston Army Air Base Established
Charleston Army Air Base opened in 1942 as a WWII transport and logistics hub on the South Carolina coast, supporting troop and cargo movements to Europe and the Pacific. It became Charleston AFB in 1948 and grew into a major Military Airlift Command installation.
1966
C-141 Starlifter Arrives; Primary Airlift Mission
Charleston AFB received C-141 Starlifter jets in 1966, establishing it as a primary strategic airlift installation during the Vietnam War. The base has since hosted C-17 Globemaster IIIs and serves as one of Air Mobility Command's most active airlift hubs.
2010
Naval Weapons Station Combined to Form Joint Base
Charleston AFB and Naval Weapons Station Charleston were merged in 2010 under the BRAC process to form Joint Base Charleston. The combined installation is one of the largest employers in South Carolina and supports both Air Force airlift and Navy submarine and surface ship logistics.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Joint Base Lindsey Graham.
Joint Base Lindsey Graham Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Joint Base Lindsey Graham.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Visitor Access
What you need to know to get on Joint Base Lindsey Graham.
REAL ID Required
How are you entering the base?
I have a DoD ID / CAC
Active duty, civilian employee, retiree, or dependent.
I'm visiting someone
Sponsored visit — a DoD ID holder will vouch for you.
I need a day pass
No sponsor — process through the Visitor Control Center.
Commercial / Delivery
Truck drivers, contractors, and vendors.
Quick summary
Visitors must have a sponsor and go to the Visitor Control Center to obtain a visitor’s pass before entering JB Charleston. A REAL ID-compliant photo identification is necessary for access to JB Charleston for any visitor who is not currently affiliated with the U.S. Military, Department of War, or who is not a Veteran.
Guest policy
Guests must be escorted at all times.
Parking information
Park only in designated areas.
Latest News
Our coverage, local headlines, and upcoming events around Joint Base Lindsey Graham.
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See the World's First Successful Combat Sub at Friends of the Hunley
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Jul 27
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Camp in Style at the Joint Base Charleston RV Park
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Joint Base Lindsey Graham.
Welcome Center
Coming soon
In-Processing
Personnel arriving at Joint Base Lindsey Graham report to their unit's Commander Support Staff during duty hours with their PCS package. JB Lindsey Graham is a joint installation hosting Air Force and Army elements; confirm branch-specific reporting requirements with your gaining unit before arrival. After-hours arrivals report to the Carolina Inn lodging facility, the 24/7 arrival point.
All permanent-party members attend the mandatory Charleston Right Start Newcomer's Orientation covering the 437th Airlift Wing's C-17 mission, JB Charleston's joint mission environment, base services, and the Charleston, SC community. The A&FRC at (843) 963-3070 coordinates relocation assistance and school liaison.
JB Lindsey Graham is home to the 437th Airlift Wing (C-17 Globemaster III) and the 315th Airlift Wing (Reserve). Located adjacent to North Charleston, it offers some of the best quality of life in the Air Force — within 30 minutes of historic downtown Charleston, beaches, and a booming job market.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Joint Base Lindsey Graham.
SC259
MHA
There are two sets of privatized housing communities at Joint Base Lindsey Graham. Housing for the Air Base is managed by Hunt Military Communities. Housing for the Weapons Station is managed by Beatty Military Communities. Hunt Military Communities Address: 1501 Touhey Blvd., Joint Base Charleston, SC 29404 Phone: (864) 768-3300 Hours: Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Be…
Local Market
$1,900/mo
rent
/
$420,000
avg. home
2026 BAH Calculator
Dependency Status
With Dependents
$XX,XXX per year
E-5
Location
Select a grade and location above
Data Sources
BAH rates: Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), effective January 1, 2026. Rates set annually by DoD based on rental survey data.
View Full BAH Rates
Cost of Living Around Joint Base Lindsey Graham
100
At National Average
Housing
Calculate Your Buying Power
See what you can afford using your rank, BAH, and local market data.
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Joint Base Lindsey Graham.
School Liaison Officer
School Liaison Officer
6
Elementary Schools
View schools
4
Middle Schools
View schools
5
High Schools
View schools
5
Colleges & Universities
View colleges
Education Resources
Notes, tuition & more
Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
JB Lindsey Graham covers both the Air Base (North Charleston) and the Weapons Station (Goose Creek). Most families live in North Charleston, Summerville, Goose Creek, or Hanahan — each with a different balance of commute time, school quality, and cost of living.
Summerville / Dorchester County
Suburban
The most sought-after option for JBC families — Summerville has excellent schools, newer subdivisions like Cane Bay and Nexton, and a charming historic downtown. Commute is 25–35 min to either gate.
Commute: 25–35 min
Schools: Dorchester District 2
Families with kids
Retirees
Pet owners
Top-ranked schools, fast-growing community, lots of new construction
Goose Creek / Hanahan
Suburban
Closest to the Weapons Station gate — Goose Creek and Hanahan offer affordable housing with Berkeley County or North Charleston schools. Great pick for single members or dual military who want a short drive to both gates.
Commute: 10–20 min
Schools: Berkeley County Schools / Charleston County
Single service members
Dual military
Budget-friendly
Short commute to Weapons Station, affordable, established neighborhoods
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Joint Base Lindsey Graham.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Fully exempt
Retirement Pay
Fully exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
South Carolina fully exempts active duty military pay from South Carolina income tax for South Carolina legal residents.…
Spouse Income Tax
South Carolina exempts military and retirement pay. MSRRA applies.
Vehicle Registration
Non-resident military may keep home-state plates.
Property Tax
100% disabled veterans exempt from property tax.
Combat Zone Exclusion
No state tax on combat pay.
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Pet Policies at Joint Base Lindsey Graham
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Joint Base Lindsey Graham.
Emergency Vet
10 mi
Charleston Veterinary Referral Center (CVRC)
3484 Shelby Ray Ct, Charleston, SC 29414(843) 614-8387On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
8
Prohibited Animals
4
Dog Parks
4
Boarding & Kennels
9
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Leash Laws
Pet-Friendly Housing
Local Pet Notes
Required Vaccinations
Pet Shipping Tips
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Joint Base Lindsey Graham.
Commissary
2
Charleston AFB Commissary
Click2Go Available
Exchange
BX
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m
Medical
1
628th Medical Group — Medical Center
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
Youth Programs
MWR & Recreation
4
Fitness Center
Golf Course
Employment & Education
3
Education Center
Spouse Employment
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Joint Base Lindsey Graham.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Dorchester Gate (Main Gate) is the primary visitor access gate, open Mon–Fri 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Sat–Sun 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM. See the Gates section for the full schedule of all 5 gates and their access requirements.
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02
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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03
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for Joint Base Charleston.
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04
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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05
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near Joint Base Charleston.
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Question
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.