McChord Air Force Base (KTCM)
Medium airport · Tacoma, Washington, United States
Airport data
| Name | McChord Air Force Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KTCM |
| IATA | TCM |
| Elevation | 322 ft (98 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 47°8'16" W 122°28'34" 47.13770, -122.47600 |
| Location | Tacoma, Washington, United States |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16/34 | 10,108 ft (3081 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 160/340 | 3,000 ft (914 m) | 60 ft | ASPH | No |
McChord Air Force Base at a glance
McChord Air Force Base is a medium airport in Tacoma, Washington, United States, known to airline systems as TCM. The field elevation of 322 ft (98 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KTCM are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 16/34 — offers 10,108 ft (3081 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 16 points roughly 160° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KTCM shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to McChord Air Force Base
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Gray Army Air Field | KGRF | 10 km (5 NM) |
| Tacoma Narrows Airport | KTIW | 16 km (9 NM) |
| Seattle–Tacoma International Airport | KSEA | 37 km (20 NM) |
| Olympia Regional Airport | KOLM | 37 km (20 NM) |
| Bremerton National Airport | KPWT | 45 km (24 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for McChord Air Force Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 322 ft field elevation of McChord Air Force Base can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 917 airports and airfields we list for United States — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about McChord Air Force Base
What is the ICAO code of McChord Air Force Base?
The ICAO identifier of McChord Air Force Base is KTCM, and its IATA code is TCM. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is McChord Air Force Base above sea level?
McChord Air Force Base sits at an elevation of 322 feet (98 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is McChord Air Force Base located?
The airport lies at 47.1377, -122.4760 — in Tacoma, Washington, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Gray Army Air Field, about 10 km away.
Does KTCM publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KTCM appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at McChord Air Force Base?
McChord Air Force Base has 2 runways. The longest, 16/34, measures 10,108 ft (3081 m) with a ASP surface.