The base is named for Lieutenant General Frank Maxwell Andrews (1884–1943), former Commanding General of United States Armed Forces in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The base is widely known for serving as the home base of two Boeing VC-25 aircraft which have the call sign Air Force One while the President of the United States is on board.
The 89th Airlift Wing provides global Special Air Mission (SAM) airlift, logistics, aerial transport and communications for the president, vice president, combatant commanders, senior leaders and the global mobility system as tasked by the White House, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and Air Mobility Command.
1st Airlift Squadron – C-32, C-40
99th Airlift Squadron – C-37
Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron responsible for the transportation of the president and vice president of the United States, heads of state, Department of Defense officials, and other VIPs as directed by the Marine Corps and White House Military Office Marine One is the call sign of any United States Marine Corps aircraft carrying the president of the United States. VH-3D is the VIP Presidential transport helicopter for the U.S. Marine Corps, 11 built. It entered service in 1976.
The 1st Helicopter Squadron’s primary mission is to be prepared to evacuate high-ranking personnel from the Capital area in the event of a national emergency. It also supports Washington D.C. area airlift for high-ranking Executive Branch, dignitaries, military leaders and other VIPs. The squadron also supports search and rescue missions.Currently the squadron operates Bell UH-1N Twin Huey helicopters acquired in the early 1970s. Air Force Space Command also operates the UH-1N and has proposed the Common Vertical Lift Support Platform (CVLSP) program to seek a replacement to their UH-1Ns. On June 7, 2022, it was announced that Joint Base Andrews will be the fourth base to the host the new Boeing MH-139 Grey Wolf which replaces the UH-1N.
The 113th Wing, known as the “Capital Guardians”, is a unit of the District of Columbia Air National Guard, stationed at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. If activated to federal service, the fighter portion of the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force’s Air Combat Command, while the airlift portion is gained by Air Mobility Command.
The missions of the United States Park Police Aviation Unit include aviation support for law enforcement, medevac, search and rescue, high-risk prisoner transport and presidential and dignitary security. Their first twin-engine helicopter, a Bell 412SP, “Eagle One,” was placed in service in January 1991. The Maryland State Police flies Trooper 2
