History of Joint Base Andrews in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 7, 2025

Joint Base Andrews (JBA), located in Prince George's County, Maryland, is a U.S. military facility managed by the USAF's 316th Wing under the Air Force District of Washington. Established in 2009, JBA resulted from the merger of Andrews Air Force Base and Naval Air Facility Washington. It serves as a crucial center for military operations and is known for hosting Air Force One, the aircraft used by the President of the United States.

April 1943: Arrival of the 463rd Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron

On April 19, 1943, the 463rd Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron arrived, marking the establishment of a permanent unit at the military airfield.

May 1943: Camp Springs Army Air Field became operational

On May 2, 1943, Camp Springs Army Air Field became operational with the arrival of the first Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.

1943: Death of Lieutenant General Frank Maxwell Andrews

In 1943, Lieutenant General Frank Maxwell Andrews, for whom the base is named, passed away. He was the former Commanding General of United States Armed Forces in the European Theater of Operations during World War II.

May 1945: Camp Springs renamed Andrews Field

On May 2, 1945, Camp Springs was renamed Andrews Field in honor of Lieutenant General Frank M. Andrews, one of the Air Force's founders.

November 1946: President Truman's first presidential flight out of Andrews

On November 24, 1946, President Harry S. Truman became the first president to fly a presidential flight out of Andrews.

1947: Andrews Field becomes Andrews Air Force Base

In 1947, shortly after the Air Force became a separate service, Andrews Field's name was changed to Andrews Air Force Base.

1959: Transfer of port of entry to Andrews AFB

In 1959, the port of entry and departure for dignitaries transferred to Andrews AFB, and Detachment 1 of the 1254th Air Transport Group received its first jet aircraft, a Boeing VC-137 Stratoliner the same year.

December 1961: Naval air activities moved to Andrews Air Force Base

In December 1961, naval air activities were moved to Andrews Air Force Base from Naval Air Station Anacostia to facilitate jet operations, with a detachment of T-2V SeaStar jet trainers.

March 1962: Andrews becomes "Home of Air Force One"

In March 1962, President John F. Kennedy's official aircraft, a Douglas VC-118, permanently transferred from Washington National, and Andrews officially became the "Home of Air Force One".

1968: Opening of Evans Elementary

Evans Elementary, located within the CDP, opened in 1968. The school's namesake is Captain Francis T. Evans.

April 1972: Naval Air Reserve reorganized into tactical carrier wings

In April 1972, the Naval Air Reserve was reorganized into two tactical carrier wings (CVW-20 and CVW-30) with supporting transport and patrol squadrons.

1989: New permit granted for NAF Washington use of land

In 1989, the Secretary of the Navy signed a new 25-year permit granting NAF Washington continued use of land on Andrews AFB.

1993: NAF Washington, D.C. Air Reservists support naval activities

In 1993, NAF Washington, D.C., Air Reservists continued to support naval activities with VMFA-321 flying the F/A-18 Hornet, VP-68 flying the P-3C Orion, VAQ-209 flying the EA-6B Prowler, Fleet Logistic Support Wing Detachment flying the C-20 Gulfstream and T-39 Sabreliner, VR-53 flying the C-130 Hercules and the NAF flying the UC-12B for the transportation of VIPs and light cargo.

May 2005: Recommendations by BRAC Commission

In May 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission made several recommendations relating to Andrews AFB, including realigning Naval Air Facility Washington by relocating its installation management functions to Andrews AFB.

October 2006: Merger of NOSC Anacostia with NAF Washington

In October 2006, Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Anacostia merged with NAF Washington, and NAF assumed the additional title of Naval District Washington Reserve Component Command.

September 2007: NOSC Adelphi merged with reserve center at NAF Washington

In September 2007, NOSC Adelphi in Maryland was disestablished and merged with the reserve center at NAF Washington, creating the largest NOSC in the country.

2008: Closure and demolition of T-shaped runway

By 2008, the small T-shaped runway at the bottom right of the opening picture was closed and demolished.

2009: Establishment of Joint Base Andrews

In 2009, Joint Base Andrews was established through the merging of Andrews Air Force Base and Naval Air Facility Washington.

October 2010: Merger of 11th Wing and 316th at Joint Base Andrews

On October 1, 2010, the Air Force completed the merger of the 11th Wing and the 316th at Joint Base Andrews, with the 11th Wing becoming the host base organization.

2010: Opening of Imagine Andrews Public Charter School

In 2010, Imagine Andrews Public Charter School (IAPCS) opened as a joint venture between Imagine Schools, PGCPS, and Joint Base Andrews, reserving 65% of its enrollment spaces for children of military families.

2014: Logo redesign approved for Joint Base Andrews

In the fall of 2014, Joint Base Andrews approved and disseminated a logo redesign across all digital platforms and marketed locally, aiming to improve branding and overall appearance.

June 2020: 11th Wing moves back to Joint Base Anacostia Bolling

On June 11, 2020, the 11th Wing moved back to its former station of Joint Base Anacostia Bolling and returned responsibility for Andrews to the reactivated 316th Wing, which assumed control of the personnel and units of the 11th Wing.