Andrews Joint Base

Andrews Joint Base
Name	Andrews Joint Base
Location	Prince George's County, Maryland, United States
Coordinates	38.8156° N, 76.8750° W
Established	1943 (as Camp Springs Army Air Field)
Controlledby	United States Department of Defense
Garrison	Joint Base Andrews
Occupants	89th Airlift Wing, 316th Wing, Presidential Airlift Group

Andrews Joint Base is a major United States military installation located in Prince George's County, Maryland near Washington, D.C., serving as a primary site for VIP airlift, contingency operations, and joint-service activities. The base hosts aircraft and personnel supporting United States Air Force and United States Navy missions, and it functions as a strategic node adjacent to national leadership, federal agencies, and international diplomatic entities. Its proximity to The Pentagon, White House, and major transportation corridors makes it central to both ceremonial and operational air mobility.

History

Originally activated in 1943 as Camp Springs Army Air Field during World War II, the installation supported training and continental defense missions in the wake of the Pearl Harbor attack and broader mobilization efforts. Postwar reorganizations tied it into the emerging United States Air Force structure, and the base later became known for hosting the 89th Airlift Wing and presidential airlift responsibilities which grew during the administrations of multiple presidents. Throughout the Cold War the site accommodated strategic and tactical airlift, reflected in deployments during the Berlin Airlift aftermath era and operations related to crises such as Cuban Missile Crisis‑era contingency plans. The base name and structure evolved with reorganizations culminating in the 2009 establishment of a joint basing arrangement under Base Realignment and Closure directives, formalizing combined support for Department of the Air Force and Department of the Navy components while maintaining mission continuity for units supporting national leaders and international delegations.

Geography and Facilities

The installation sits on flat terrain in suburban Prince George's County, Maryland, bordered by transportation arteries connecting to Interstate 495 and the Capital Beltway. Facilities include multiple runways, hardened hangars, maintenance aprons, and passenger terminals configured for executive transport. On-site infrastructure supports sensitive missions with secure briefing centers, operations complexes, and housing areas for wing personnel. Auxiliary facilities extend to flightline support, air traffic control towers, and contingency staging areas used in coordination with nearby federal installations such as Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling and the Defense Intelligence Agency campus. The base layout also integrates ceremonial sites and memorials associated with airlift history, veteran commemorations, and unit lineage.

Military Units and Operations

Primary operational units assigned include the 89th Airlift Wing, responsible for special airlift missions and the operation of executive transport assets; the Presidential Airlift Group, which provides dedicated aircraft and crews for heads of state movements; and the 316th Wing, charged with base support and readiness functions. Tenant organizations often include components from the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and Air National Guard units, enabling joint training and interoperability for rapid-response contingencies. The base supports a diverse fleet including VIP variants of the Boeing C-32, the Boeing VC-25, and a variety of tanker and cargo platforms when tasked for strategic airlift related to contingencies such as humanitarian relief following events like Hurricane Katrina and overseas contingency operations during the Global War on Terrorism era. Exercises and operations frequently integrate with commands such as United States Northern Command and Air Mobility Command for homeland defense and global mobility missions.

Civilian and Joint Use

Beyond military missions, the installation accommodates joint use agreements, diplomatic movements, and coordinated operations with federal agencies including United States Secret Service, Department of State, and Federal Aviation Administration authorities when facilitating foreign dignitaries and state visits. Civilian contractors provide specialized maintenance, logistics, and support services under procurement arrangements overseen by base contracting offices. The proximity to Washington, D.C. enables coordination with congressional delegations, international delegations, and multinational delegations during summits and G7 or NATO related events. Community relations programs engage local governments such as the Prince George's County administration and regional stakeholders to address land use, noise abatement, and emergency planning.

Infrastructure and Transportation

Runway and airfield operations are designed to support heavy and executive airlift with robust pavement, navigation aids, and instrument landing systems certified to federal standards. Ground access is facilitated by connections to Maryland Route 4 and major interstates, with on-base vehicle control points and security perimeters coordinated with regional law enforcement including the Prince George's County Police Department and Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia for joint incidents. Logistics corridors on-site include cargo handling facilities, fuel farms, and maintenance depots supporting aircraft sustainment. The installation also integrates airspace coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration and neighboring military airfields to manage transient traffic and temporary flight restrictions during high-profile movements.

Environmental and Safety Programs

Environmental stewardship programs address wetland protection, stormwater management, and hazardous materials handling consistent with oversight by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and state regulators. The base has implemented energy conservation measures, pollution prevention initiatives, and wildlife hazard management in cooperation with organizations like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Safety programs encompass occupational health, fire and emergency services, and range safety protocols aligned with standards from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Community emergency preparedness exercises coordinate with Prince George's County Office of Emergency Management and federal partners to ensure rapid response to incidents affecting both military and civilian populations.

Category:United States military bases in Maryland