The McChord C-17 ramp is visible from Perimeter Road (good name!) to the east of the base.
Follow your nose and it should become obvious, also the visitor ramp is viewable too.
I will give it a try in 2 weeks. So I guess you can park at the coffee store and as long as you stay off the fence and use binoculars, things will be ok, I guess? Is Steel Street South a place to recommend to read off serials, or better stay at the coffeeshop?
Indeed an easy airbase. Did a hit and run in the early morning of the 11th of April. Two more C-17s were present on the left tarmac, but I did not have time to read them as well.