Drowning Incident Prompts Closure of Joint Base Lewis-McChord Beaches
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA – A tragic incident has led to the closure of all beaches on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) after a service member drowned in American Lake on Monday, July 15. The announcement was made by base officials on Thursday, July 18, through social media and the base's official website.
The drowning occurred at one of the enclosed JBLM beaches on American Lake, a popular destination for recreation among service members and their families. Unlike the base's swimming pools, which are staffed with lifeguards, the beaches do not have lifeguards on duty. This incident has prompted a thorough safety investigation by base leadership.
“The safety of our service members and their families is our first and foremost concern,” JBLM stated in their announcement. “We will reassess the closure at the end of July and follow-up accordingly.” The beaches will remain closed until further notice, with the possibility of reopening based on the findings of the safety investigation.
Located a few miles from Tacoma, Washington, JBLM is occupied by the Army and the Air Force. The base and its surrounding areas, including the 1.7-square-mile American Lake, have been experiencing it's normal summer temperatures, with temperatures reaching into the 90s during the day. Summer heat always makes the lake a particularly attractive spot for cooling off.
American Lake is not only a recreational spot but also a training site for Army units stationed at JBLM. You may find JBLM's Airborne Rangers from the 2nd Ranger Battalion and Special Forces from the 1st Special Ofrces Group (Airborne) conducting parachute operations into the lake on occasion. The closure affects all beaches on the lake, preventing any recreational swimming activities for the time being. Despite having multiple pools with lifeguards, unlike the civilian world, the military may take blanket action to incidents and in this case the base leadership decided to shut down the beaches to 'ensure the safety of their personnel and families during the investigation.'
The military has not released further details about the service member who drowned, including their identity or the specific circumstances surrounding the incident. This recent event brings back memories of a similar tragedy in 2018, when two soldiers, Privates Jamanni Gibson, 21, and Jacques Means, 22, drowned in a boating accident on American Lake. Their bodies were recovered after a search operation following their disappearance while kayaking.
The lake, known for its serene environment and popular recreational activities, has been the site of multiple incidents. On May 15, 2022, a US veteran participating in a civilian scuba diving class at JBLM did not resurface after a practice dive, highlighting the inherent risks associated with water activities.
As the investigation continues, JBLM leadership emphasizes the priority of safeguarding their community and preventing further tragedies. Updates on the investigation and potential reopening of the beaches will be communicated at the end of July.
For now, service members and their families are encouraged to utilize the base's swimming pools and other safe recreational options while staying mindful of the usual summer heat.