Naval air station andrews afb

• Birth of a Base: Naval Air Station (NAS) Andrews AFB—now officially named Joint Base Andrews—was established in 1942, during World War II, as Camp Springs Army Air Field. It quickly became a vital site for training and defense. • Presidential Connection: Andrews is renowned as the home base for Air Force One, the aircraft designated for the President of the United States. Every president since Dwight D. Eisenhower has flown from Andrews. • Joint Base Status: In 2009, NAS Andrews and Andrews AFB merged under the Department of Defense’s Joint Basing Initiative, forming Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility Washington. • Historical First Flight: President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first sitting president to fly on an airplane while in office, departing from Andrews (then Washington National Airport) in 1943. • VIP Reception: Andrews has served as the arrival and departure point for many world leaders and dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth II, Pope Francis, and Nelson Mandela. • Operation Homecoming: In 1973, Andrews welcomed American POWs returning from the Vietnam War during Operation Homecoming, a moment broadcast worldwide. • Aerial Defense: The base played a key role in air defense during the Cold War, hosting fighter-interceptor squadrons tasked with protecting the nation’s capital. • Medical Evacuations: The 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews manages critical medical evacuation missions, including transporting wounded service members and dignitaries. • Historic Hangars: The original World War II hangars are still in use and have housed some of the most famous aircraft in U.S. military history. • Naval Component: The Naval Air Facility Washington, co-located at Andrews, supports Navy and Marine Corps aviation, making it a unique joint installation.