The history of Andrews Air Force Base dates back to the Civil War when the Union occupied a small country church as its headquarters for soldiers camped nearby. Today, that church is known as Chapel Two, and the base community still uses it for worship services.

In the early part of the 20th century, the present site of Andrews was often discussed for a potential civilian airfield. In August 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the Secretary of War to acquire the land and to build a military airfield. Construction began later that year. On April 19, 1943, the first permanent unit, the 463rd Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron, arrived from Westover Field, Mass., with 105 enlisted men and five officers. 

Camp Springs Army Air Field became operational on May 2, 1943, when the first Republic P-47 Thunderbolt arrived; 75 other P-47s arrived during the first month. The field's early mission was to train fighter pilots for overseas combat duty.

Camp Springs became Andrews Field on May 31,1945 to honor of one of the Air Force's founding fathers, Lt. Gen. Frank M. Andrews. He died in an aircraft accident on May 3, 1943. Shortly after the Air Force became a separate service in 1947, the base's name changed to Andrews Air Force Base.

In the years following World War II, Andrews served as headquarters for Continental Air Command, Strategic Air Command and the Military Air Transport Service. It was also headquarters to the Air Research and Development Command and its successor, the Air Force Systems Command, from 1950 to 1992.

The year 1947 marked the arrival of the first permanently assigned jet-powered aircraft, an F-80 Shooting Star, at Andrews. With the onset of the Korean War in June 1950, Andrews became involved in combat readiness training for B-25 medium bomber crews.

However, Andrews has been best known for its special air mission--the transportation of senior government and military leaders. President Harry S. Truman was the first to fly a presidential flight out of Andrews on Nov. 24, 1946. The port of entry and departure for dignitaries transferred to Andrews Air Force Base in 1959 after the completion of a 14 million dollar upgrade to the existing runway and the addition of a new parallel runway. Also in 1959, Detachment 1, 1254th Air Transport Group received its first jet aircraft, a VC-137. While the president's official aircraft, a C-121 (Columbine III), remained at Washington National Airport, the president often used the new VC-137 for longer trips. President John F. Kennedy's official aircraft, a C-118, permanently transferred from Washington National in March 1962, and Andrews officially became the "Home of Air Force One."

Andrews has since been the scene of many joyful returns and reunions. Among the many occasions, Andrews welcomed the first prisoners of war back from Vietnam in 1973, saw the return of the U.S. hostages from Iran in 1981, and welcomed former POW Pfc. Jessica Lynch home from Iraq in 2003. 

Known as "The President's Wing," the 89th Airlift Wing continues to contribute to Andrews' rich history as the elite Air Mobility Command wing for transporting VIPs around the world. Not only does Andrews provide service for America's senior officials, but also kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers, popes, and local and foreign military leaders make Andrews their first stop in the United States.

On Jan. 5, 2005 the Air Force reactivated the Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) as the single Air Force voice for planning and implementing Air Force and joint solutions within the National Capital Region (NCR). This event brought with it significant changes at Andrews. On May 12, 2006, the 89th Medical Group at Andrews and the 11th Medical Group, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. combined into the 79th Medical Wing where it established its headquarters here at Andrews. In June 2006, the 316th Wing stood up under the command of AFDW as the new host unit for Andrews Air Force Base and its nearly 50 tenant units to include organizations from the Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Civil Air Patrol, and the United States Navy. The activation of the 316th prompted the transfer of the 1st Helicopter Squadron from the 89th Airlift Wing to the 316th Operations Group. Finally, in May of 2007 the AFDW, as well as the 844th Communications Group, transferred from Bolling AFB to Andrews.

Significant events occurred here, including the annual Joint Service Open House aerial and ground demonstrations, and the April 5, 2008 reception of Pope Benedict XVI by President George W. Bush. That event marked the first time a U.S. President has traveled to Andrews to meet a head of state since September 1959 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower greeted Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev. Premier Khrushchev was also the first foreign head of state to fly into Andrews.

On Oct. 1, 2009, Andrews Air Force Base, along with Naval Air Facility Washington, became a joint base known as Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington, or Joint Base Andrews. In October 2010, the 316th Wing was inactivated and the 11th Wing, formerly the host wing at Bolling Air Force Base, was activated and served as the host wing at Andrews until June 2020, when the 316th Wing was activated.

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. For a decade, the 11th Wing was proud to be host of the base bearing the name of one of the true founding fathers of today's most powerful air and space force.

In June 2020, the 316th Wing was reactivated as the 11th Wing was reassigned back to Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. In late July, the flag-draped casket of the American civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis arrived at Joint Base Andrews en route to lie in state on the East Front Steps of the Capitol for a public viewing. Lewis served as U.S. Representative of Georgia's Fifth Congressional District from his election in November 1986 until his death in 2020.

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."

The 316th Wing provides base-level services for three headquarters, five wings, more than 80 tenant organizations, and 60,000 Airmen/family members in the NCR and globally.

Maryland: 6.038 million, Prince George's County: 910,551. Northern Virginia 3.6 million.  Washington DC 701,974.

Joint Base Andrews is located in Prince George's County in the state of Maryland, approximately 10 miles outside the Washington, D.C. city limits and 15 miles from the state of Virginia. The base is physically located in the town of Camp Springs MD, and is bordered by four other towns (Clinton, Upper Marlboro, Town of Morningside, and Forestville). If you are unable to live in on base housing at Joint Base Andrews, urban, suburban, small town, and country housing options are all within reasonable commuting distance of Joint Base Andrews.

To JB Andrews from Washington Metropolitan Area Airports

The Washington Metropolitan Area is serviced by three airports; Ronald Reagan National (often referred to as Washington National or just National- DCA), Dulles International (IAD), and the Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI). Ronald Reagan National Airport is closest to Joint Base Andrews. The Air Force cannot provide government transportation to the base from airports, bus terminals or train stations however, commercial taxi service is available. Taxi fares from Baltimore Washington International Airport to JB Andrews are approximately $80 - $90; from Reagan National, $50 - $60; and from Dulles, $100 - $120.

Newcomers traveling on a government-issued transportation request (TR) or making their own travel arrangements and being paid mileage will be reimbursed for ground transportation costs. A receipt must be provided for costs over $75. These should be included when filling out your travel voucher.

Ronald Reagan National Airport (AKA Washington National or just National)

Located in Virginia, just minutes from Washington D.C. The telephone number for the information desk is 703-417-1806. It is approximately 20-30 minutes from JB Andrews. National can be reached by METRO rail or bus, taxi, cab or car. Short and long-term parking lots are available, with shuttle service to the terminals.

Dulles International Airport

Located in Northern Virginia. The main telephone number is 703-572-2700. It is about a 60-90 minute drive. It is accessible by car, taxi or the Washington Flyer shuttle from National Airport and other METRO locations.

Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

The telephone number is 410-859-7683. It is approximately 25 miles and a 45 minute drive to BWI. BWI has ample parking with free shuttle service to the terminal. MARC train service is available between BWI and the New Carrolton train station, where a taxi can be taken to JB Andrews. BWI is also an AMC gateway and has the largest active USO facility in the continental US.

JB Andrews is located off of Exit 9 of I-495, about 10 miles southeast of Washington DC in Camp Springs, Maryland. Proper identification is required to gain access: DOD Common Access Cards, Military Retiree ID cards, Military Dependent ID cards, State/Federal Law Enforcement (ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS), and Sponsored Guests.

JB Andrews has suspended its Trusted Traveler program, indefinitely. As a result of this policy change, all same day unofficial (i.e. personal) JBA guests who are not in possession of an authorized base access credential, issued a Defense Biometric Identification System pass, or on the official Base Access List must process through to the VCC for identity proofing, background vetting (Fitness), and pass issuance with their sponsor or meet their sponsor at the Main Gate during after-hours access requests.  Please see the JB Andrews Visitor Control Center website at https://www.jba.af.mil/Home/Visitor-Control-Center/ for details and up-to-date procedures for guests.

Due to security concerns, providers of transportation such as taxis, will either need to have their own DOD ID or will need to stop and be vetted by the Visitor's Center.  Please ask if the service you're using has a driver who is already authorized access to Joint Base Andrews. The closest Metro Station is Branch Avenue. Metro buses pick up outside the Main Gate during the week, but do not stop on weekends.

For questions, please contact the Visitor Control Center at 301-981-0689.

Driving Directions
From I-95/495 South to Main Gate:

• Take exit 9, turn right at stop sign
• At the light turn right onto Allentown Road
• Turn left at next light
• Proceed through the Main Gate

From I-95/495 to Virginia Gate:

• Take exit 7A, Route 5 South (Branch Avenue)
• Follow Branch Avenue (Route 5) south; take the Coventry way exit
• Turn left onto Coventry Way
• Turn right onto Old Alexandria Ferry Road
• Turn left at Virginia Ave, and proceed through the Virginia Gate

From I-95/495 North to North Gate:

• Take exit 9 and follow around
• At light make left onto Allentown Road
• Follow Allentown Road
• Merge onto Suitland Parkway
• Take Andrews Air Force Base, North Gate exit
• Proceed through North Gate

From 95/495 South to North Gate:

• Take exit 11A, Route 4 South/Pennsylvania Avenue
• Stay to the right, Go through the first Light
• At the next light, make a right onto Suitland Parkway
• Take Andrews Air Force Base, North Gate exit
• Proceed through North Gate

From 95/495 North to Pearl Harbor Gate:

• Take exit 9, Turn left onto Allentown Road
• Merge onto Suitland Parkway/Pennsylvania Avenue
• Take right onto Dower house Road
• Turn right onto Pearl Harbor Drive and proceed through Pearl Harbor Gate

From 95/495 South to Pearl Harbor Gate:

• Take exit 11A, Route 4 South/Pennsylvania Avenue
• Make a right at the light onto Dower house Road
• Turn right onto Pearl Harbor Drive and proceed through Pearl Harbor Gate

For base information, please call Comm 301-981-1110 or DSN 301-858-1110.  Be sure to let them know you're looking for JB Andrews information.