Joint Base Charleston renamed Joint Base Lindsey Graham

The Pentagon has officially renamed Joint Base Charleston in North Charleston, South Carolina, to Joint Base Lindsey Graham. The renaming ceremony, held on August 10, 2026, honored the late Republican Senator and Air Force veteran, who passed away in July from an aortic dissection.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attended the ceremony alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, and interim Senator Darlene Graham. During his remarks, Hegseth used the occasion to advocate for a $1.5 trillion defense spending package for fiscal 2027, stating that such an investment would be the greatest tribute to Graham’s legacy of military advocacy.

Graham, who served over 30 years in the Air Force and Reserve, was a prominent figure in foreign policy and military funding. Hegseth also used the speech to criticize previous administration policies and emphasize the need for military readiness in light of ongoing global tensions.