Joint Base Andrews: Home of Air Force One and Joint Operations
Introduction: Strategic importance of Joint Base Andrews
Joint Base Andrews is a major US military facility in Prince George’s County, Maryland. As the home base of Air Force One and a premier joint base in the National Capital Region, it plays a critical role in national security, presidential airlift and regional defence support. The base’s combined structure and diverse tenant units make it central to military air mobility and support operations.
Main body: Structure, units and functions
History and organisation
Named for Lieutenant General Frank M. Andrews (1884–1943), the facility merged Andrews Air Force Base and the Naval Air Facility Washington on 1 October 2009 to form Joint Base Andrews. The base is listed as under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force 11th Wing in available information, and also operates within the Force District of Washington framework.
Principal units and capabilities
Joint Base Andrews hosts a range of Air Force wings and support units. Occupants include the 89th Airlift Wing, 113th Wing and the 459th Air Refueling Wing. The 89th Airlift Wing provides presidential airlift including the Presidential Airlift Group and operates airframes such as the VC-25A, C-32A, C-40B and C-37 variants. The 459th Air Refueling Wing operates KC-135R Stratotankers and provides aerial refuelling and aeromedical evacuation capabilities. The 316th Wing is identified as a host wing in other organisational listings, with subordinate groups such as the 316th Medical Group, Mission Support Group and Security Forces Group offering medical, logistics and force protection services.
Support and specialised units
Support organisations at the base include communications units (844th Communications Group and 744th Communications Squadron), maintenance and logistics squadrons, aerospace medical and dental squadrons, and legal and review agencies. These elements underpin continuous operations for national and regional missions.
Conclusion: Significance and outlook
Joint Base Andrews remains a strategically significant installation for presidential transport, airlift and regional defence support. Its joint structure and concentration of specialised wings ensure it will continue to be a vital node for operations in the National Capital Region. For residents and observers, the base represents both a local employer and a key component of national security infrastructure.
