Was it President Franklin D. Roosevelt who foresaw the importance of this strategic location? Joint Base Andrews stands before us. It is more than just an airfield. It is a symbol of American power and a place of poignant reunions.
Joint Base Andrews is a military facility in Prince George’s County, Maryland. It falls under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force 316th Wing. The base got its name from Lieutenant General Frank M. Andrews. He was the former Commanding General of US Forces in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Joint Base Andrews is widely known as the home base for Air Force One.
Originally, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the Secretary of War to acquire this land in August 1942. He wanted a military airfield built. Construction began later that year. The first permanent unit arrived on April 19, 1943. It was the 463rd Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron.
Camp Springs Army Air Field became operational on May 2, 1943. The first Republic P-47 Thunderbolt landed here. Its early mission was to train fighter pilots for combat duty overseas.
Camp Springs became Andrews Field on February 7, 1945. This honored Lieutenant General Frank M. Andrews, one of the Air Force’s founding fathers. After the Air Force became a separate service in 1947, the base’s name changed to Andrews Air Force Base.
After World War II, Andrews was headquarters for several commands. These included Continental Air Command and Strategic Air Command. It also housed the Military Air Transport Service. From 1950 to 1992, it served as headquarters for the Air Research and Development Command. Its successor was the Air Force Systems Command.
But Joint Base Andrews is best known for its special air mission. It transports senior government and military leaders. President Harry S Truman first flew a presidential flight from Andrews on November 24, 1946. In 1959, the port of entry for dignitaries transferred to Andrews Air Force Base. That same year, Detachment 1 of the 1254th Air Transport Group received its first jet. It was a VC-137. President John F Kennedy’s official aircraft moved here in March 1962. Andrews officially became the “Home of Air Force One”.
Joint Base Andrews has witnessed many significant returns. In 1973, the base welcomed the first prisoners of war back from Vietnam. It also greeted the U.S. hostages from Iran in 1981. In 2003, former POW Pfc. Jessica Lynch returned home from Iraq through Andrews. Three Americans detained in North Korea for over a year arrived here in 2018.
The 89th Airlift Wing is known as “The President’s Wing.” It continues to add to the base’s history. It provides elite air mobility for VIPs worldwide. Joint Base Andrews serves senior American officials. Kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers, and military leaders also use this base.
On October 1, 2009, Andrews Air Force Base merged with Naval Air Facility Washington. It became Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington. The 316th Wing was reactivated in June 2020.
Joint Base Andrews remains vital to national defense. It supports significant missions. These include Air Force One, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the KC-135 Stratotanker. It has solidified its place as “America’s Airfield.” So next time you see Air Force One, remember its home here at Joint Base Andrews.