Andrews Field

Andrews Field. It is a major United States Air Force installation located in Prince George's County, Maryland, and serves as the home base for Air Force One, the aircraft of the President of the United States. The base is headquarters for the Air Force District of Washington and the 113th Wing of the District of Columbia Air National Guard. As a critical hub for national security and ceremonial aviation, it supports a wide array of flying missions and houses numerous Department of Defense and federal agencies.

History

The airfield was constructed in 1942 as a World War II training facility and was originally named Camp Springs Army Air Field. It was renamed in 1945 in honor of Lieutenant General Frank M. Andrews, a pioneer of United States Army Air Forces strategic air power who died in an aircraft crash in Iceland in 1943. Following the war, it became a key Cold War installation, with its strategic location near the national capital making it vital for the defense of Washington, D.C.. In 1961, it was designated the permanent home for the presidential aircraft, with the 89th Airlift Wing assuming the specialized mission. The base has since been the site of numerous historic events, including the return of American prisoners from the Vietnam War during Operation Homecoming and the state arrivals of foreign dignitaries.

Facilities

The installation encompasses over 4,000 acres and features two parallel, instrumented runways capable of handling the largest military and government aircraft. Its passenger terminal, known as the Andrews Passenger Terminal, is a primary gateway for military and government travel to the National Capital Region. Key facilities include the large hangars of the 89th Airlift Wing for maintaining the specialized fleet of Boeing VC-25 and Boeing C-32 aircraft, a modern Air Traffic Control tower, and extensive maintenance and logistics complexes. The base also hosts the Naval Air Facility Washington and supports operations for the United States Coast Guard, United States Marine Corps, and other services, featuring joint-use aprons and fuel systems.

Based units

Andrews Field is home to a diverse array of operational, support, and headquarters units from multiple branches of service. The premier unit is the 89th Airlift Wing, which operates the Special Air Mission aircraft for the White House, Cabinet, and Congressional leadership. The 113th Wing of the District of Columbia Air National Guard flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon and provides combat-ready fighter forces and air defense for the capital. Other major tenants include the headquarters for the Air Force District of Washington, the 316th Wing for base support, the 459th Air Refueling Wing of the Air Force Reserve Command, and detachments from the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Accidents and incidents

The airfield has experienced several notable aviation accidents throughout its history. In 1949, a B-50 Superfortress crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in multiple fatalities. A significant incident occurred in 1967 when a C-135 Stratolifter operated by the 89th Military Airlift Wing crashed in Alaska while on a mission from the base. In 1981, a United States Marine Corps CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter experienced a hard landing on the field, causing substantial damage. More recently, in 2015, a civilian contractor's Sikorsky S-61 helicopter made a precautionary landing on a runway following a reported mechanical issue, causing temporary closures but no injuries.

See also

* Joint Base Andrews * Bolling Air Force Base * Fort McNair * Pentagon * The White House

Category:United States Air Force bases Category:Airports in Maryland Category:Prince George's County, Maryland