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The U.S. Air Force plans to rename Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina to honor the late Senator Lindsey Graham. According to a memo from Air Force Secretary Troy E. Meink, the base will soon be known as Joint Base Lindsey Graham. This decision recognizes Graham's "decades of distinguished service to the United States Congress and the United States Air Force," as reported by The Washington Post.
Graham, who passed away on July 11 from an aortic dissection, served in the Air Force from 1982 to 1989 and later in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. He retired in 2015 with the rank of colonel. The renaming aims to honor his contributions to military and aviation projects, which significantly impacted the Charleston region, transforming it into a major aerospace hub.
The announcement of the renaming came as Graham was honored in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, with a service scheduled at Washington's National Cathedral. However, the decision has faced some opposition. State Senator Ed Sutton, a Democrat from Charleston, expressed concerns on X, stating the change feels "rushed" and lacks local input. He emphasized the importance of preserving local tradition while honoring Graham's legacy, according to Stars and Stripes.
The base, which combines Charleston Air Force Base and Naval Support Activity Charleston, is home to the 437th Airlift Wing and the Air Force Reserve's 315th Airlift Wing. As the plans move forward, the Air Force is expected to take all necessary actions to implement the renaming, as noted by The Washington Examiner.