What Is The Purpose Of Joint Base Andrews?

Andrews Air Force Base (AFB), located in Prince George’s County Maryland, serves as a strategic pillar for airlift operations of the United States Air Force
. The location was chosen for its convenient proximity to the nation’s capital. Established in the 1940s, it primarily functions as a hub for diplomatic transport of senior government officials, including the President. The base is home to the 89th Airlift Wing, which operates Air Force One. Andrews AFB also contributes in a vital capacity to national defense and emergency response operations, thanks to its position that is not only close to the capital but also in a central area of the Eastern Seaboard, all of which makes Andrews an invaluable strategic asset for the US military
.

Air Force One

The President of the United States must be prepared to travel anywhere globally on short notice, with Air Force One being the transportation of choice. While “Air Force One” technically designates any Air Force aircraft carrying the President, it commonly refers to two specially modified Boeing 747-200B aircraft, designated VC-25
A, known by tail codes 28000 and 29000. Air Force One is distinguished by its elegant light blue and white color scheme, prominently featuring the presidential seal. The interior spans over three levels, including a suite for the President
, a medical facility, and galleys that can accommodate meals for up to 100 people. The aircraft also provides accommodation for senior advisors, Secret Service personnel, and traveling press. Typically, escorts and additional cargo planes accompany Air Force One
to deliver necessary vehicles and services. The Presidential Airlift Group (which was established in 1944) operates and maintains Air Force One. Since then, various aircraft have served the presidency, with the first of the current jets being delivered in 1990 during President George H.W. Bush’s administration.

VC-25B: Everything We Know About The New Air Force One Boeing 747-8s So Far

The first of the two new airplanes is scheduled for delivery in 2027 with a range of upgrades and efficiency improvements.

Today, the Commander in Chief of the United States flies aboard a specially configured 747
-200B, Boeing
lists the current model specifications as:

• Longer range for presidential travel
• Aerial refueling
• Self-sufficiency at airports around the world

The “flying Oval Office” has 4,000 square feet of interior floor space. Accommodations include:

• Conference/dining room
• Quarters for the president and the first lady
• An office area for senior staff members
• Another office that converts into a medical facility when necessary
• Work and rest areas for the presidential staff, media representatives and Air Force crews
• Two galleys that can provide 100 meals at one sitting
• Multi-frequency radios for air-to-air, air-to-ground and satellite communications
• Principal differences between Air Force One and the standard Boeing 747 include state-of-the-art navigation, electronic, and communications equipment, its interior configuration and furnishings, a self-contained baggage loader, and front and aft air stairs.

Joint Base Andrews

Andrews Air Force Base has a rich history
beginning during the Civil War when a church served as a Union headquarters. Established as a military airfield in 1942 under President Roosevelt, it became operational as Camp Springs Army Air Field in 1943, primarily training fighter pilots
. It officially became Andrews Air Force Base after the Air Force’s independence in 1947. Since then, Andrews has routinely served to facilitate many significant political events, including the return of POWs and receiving foreign dignitaries. Transitioning to Joint Base Andrews in 2009 it incorporated Naval Air
Facility Washington.

The “Chief’s Own” 11th Wing, while adopting the missions of Andrews, continued to oversee all operations of the Air Force Band, Honor Guard, and Chaplaincy which are located at now Joint Base Anacostia – Bolling.

Air Force Legacy

The base as we know it today, was named for Lieutenant General Frank Maxwell Andrews. Andrews played a pivotal role in developing the modern US Air Force. In the early days of the Army Air Corps and was often referred to as “Marshall’s Airman,” a nod to General of the Army George C. Marshall, who served as Army Chief of Staff. General Andrews was Marshall’s primary advisor on aviation issues. Although he passed away in 1943, his influence on General Marshall and other senior military leaders was instrumental in his time and left a lasting mark on the US military. His efforts laid the groundwork for establishing an independent air force branch.

Joint Base Andrews plays a dynamic and critical part in the defense of our nation. It has evolved from the muddy fields and wooden buildings of the 1940s supporting the P-47 Thunderbolt and F-80 Shooting Star, to a modern airfield supporting multi-million dollar nationally significant mission assets including Air Force One, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the KC-135 Stratotanker, and the UH-1N Huey, solidifying itself as “America’s Airfield.”

Wings at the Ready

Today, not only is the base host to one of the preeminent diplomatic flying units on earth, but it also serves as the home to a number of other tactical and strategic US squadrons:

• The 316th Wing
• The 89th Air Lift Wing
• The D.C. Air National Guard (ANG) 113th Wing

• The 459th
  Air Refueling

  Wing

• The ANG Readiness Center
• Naval Air Facility Washing Command
• Air Force District of Washington Command
• The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Andrews Composite Squadron

Photo: US Air Force

All these units’ brave men and women serve daily to support and defend the nation’s capital and the highest office in the land.