Joint Base Andrews

Joint Base Andrews at a glance

Joint Base Andrews supports national leadership and distinguished visitor air transportation in the Washington region. The 89th Airlift Wing's publicly documented mission is worldwide airlift for senior leaders, including presidential transportation. The 316th Wing provides host installation services, including engineering, personnel, contracting, medical and financial support. The base's identity combines that specialized flying mission with the infrastructure needed to sustain a military community.

Andrews joined with Naval Air Facility Washington under the joint base name in 2009. The installation is in Prince George's County, Maryland, southeast of Washington, D.C. Its location is separate from both the Pentagon in Virginia and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in the District, each of which has its own host organization and mission partners.

Also searched as: Andrews Air Force Base, NAF Washington.

Sources: Joint Base Andrews: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview

Mission and major activities

• Provides worldwide airlift for national leaders and distinguished visitors.
• Provides host installation support through the 316th Wing.

Sources: Joint Base Andrews: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview

History and identity

Camp Springs Army Air Field opened in 1943. The installation became Andrews Field in 1945 and Andrews Air Force Base in 1947; the joint base name followed in 2009.

Sources: Joint Base Andrews: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview

Location and community

Andrews is in the Camp Springs area of Prince George's County, Maryland, southeast of Washington, D.C.

Sources: Joint Base Andrews: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview

Mission and institutional context

Joint Base Andrews is associated with special air missions and the transportation of senior government and military leaders. The official profile identifies the 89th Airlift Wing's role and the 316th Wing's installation support mission. The airfield opened as Camp Springs Army Air Field in 1943, became Andrews Field in 1945 and joined with Naval Air Facility Washington under the joint-base name in 2009. The installation therefore includes distinct operational and support organizations. A current newcomer should identify the gaining unit rather than treating the public presidential-aircraft association as a description of every assignment.

Official sources: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS: installation overview

Understanding the local community

Andrews is in Prince George's County, Maryland, southeast of Washington, D.C. The official overview places it in Camp Springs and identifies nearby communities including Morningside, Clinton and Upper Marlboro. Those residential distinctions connect directly to school placement in the education profile. Planning question: which physical duty location and proposed home are involved? Use the exact address rather than a broad Washington-area reference. A regional military assignment does not establish that the household will live on Andrews or use the same school pathway as another family.

Official sources: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS: installation overview

Housing options and planning distinctions

The official housing page identifies the Military Housing Office and a separate Unaccompanied Housing contact. It links Liberty Park at Andrews for family housing information and describes furnished accommodation for the relevant unaccompanied category. Planning question: is the need a family home, an unaccompanied room or information about other local options? Establish the category with the gaining organization and housing office before interpreting a housing description as applicable. The family housing provider's application and the military office's assistance functions are distinct. Current eligibility, availability and a specific offer require direct confirmation rather than relying on a general profile.

Official sources: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS: housing assistance

School systems and education transitions

There are no DoDEA schools on Andrews. The education profile identifies off-base boundary schools within Prince George's County and separately describes Imagine Andrews Public Charter School on the installation. Charter enrollment uses a lottery and does not guarantee placement. The page also highlights graduation planning for incoming high school seniors. Planning question: is the family following its address-based school assignment or applying for the charter? Treat those as separate pathways and use the current school-year process. An on-base charter location does not make it a DoDEA school or mean that every child in military housing automatically has a seat.

Official sources: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS: education and schools

Published addresses and access

Use the destination label below to distinguish visitor access, a service office and postal mail. A published address does not authorize entry. Confirm current access, sponsorship, appointments and reporting instructions with the official office before travelling.

Before you arrive

Use these questions with your sponsor or gaining organization. They are a starting point for planning, including assignments, courses and training periods that differ from a routine permanent change of station.

1. Confirm the organization, duration and reporting instructions shown on your orders. Ask which office handles your arrival.
2. Clarify lodging and housing arrangements before booking. Ask about availability, required approvals and how to handle a late arrival.
3. Before choosing a home, compare the commute, lease terms, school needs and your household budget. Ask the housing office about the options that apply to your situation.
4. Coordinate household goods and personal travel with the appropriate transportation office. Keep orders, receipts and important family records together.
5. Make a short list of contacts for medical care, schools, childcare and family support, where applicable to your assignment.

Official PCS planning resources   Housing allowance information

Sources: Joint Base Andrews: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview

Resources for service members and families

Start with the official resources for Joint Base Andrews and ask which services your household can use. For a training site, rotational location or Reserve component assignment, confirm arrangements with your unit rather than assuming the services of a large residential installation are available.

From this mission to your next career

The mission at Joint Base Andrews suggests the following areas to consider when describing your experience. These are LockLeed career suggestions based on the public mission, not a list of vacancies or qualifications held by everyone assigned here.

Write down the equipment, systems, processes and teams you personally supported. Add a specific result you can discuss publicly, then match that evidence to the civilian role you want. Keep operational details and sensitive information out of your application.

Official transition resources   Explore SkillBridge programs

Official contacts and installation services

Use the named official resource for this installation or its support community. A directory link does not establish service eligibility, availability or a reporting location. Confirm arrangements with the office or your gaining organization.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and editorial notes

Installation facts above are drawn from the official sources below. Career suggestions and planning questions are LockLeed editorial guidance. Use official offices for current policies, eligibility and arrangements.

1. Joint Base Andrews: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overviewSupports: overview, mission, local context, planning note, history
2. MilitaryINSTALLATIONS: housing assistanceSupports: expanded guide and official services
3. MilitaryINSTALLATIONS: education and schoolsSupports: expanded guide and official services

Reviewed 2026-09-30. This independent guide is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense. Map points are approximate and are not routing or reporting instructions.