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Andrews AFB - Maryland, USA
LOCATION - Andrews AFB is located in the Southeast corner of the Washington Metropolitan area 10 miles outside the Washington, D.C. limits. The base is physically located in the town of Camp Springs MD, and is bordered by three other towns (Clinton, Morningside, and Forestville). If you not able to live in military housing at Andrews AFB, city living, suburban living, small town living, and country living are all within reasonable commuting distance of Andrews AFB--choose the kind of lifestyle you want to live and you can find it in the greater metro Washington DC area.
HISTORY - During the Civil War, Union troops occupied a small country church near Camp Springs MD. That church is still used on-base and is known as Chapel Two. Later, on 25 Aug 1941, Camp Springs Army Air Field was established and Andrews' flying history began. The base became operational 2 May 1943. The name of the base was changed to Andrews Field on 31 Mar 1945, in honor of Lt Gen Frank M. Andrews, Commander of European Operations for all Army Air Forces. In July 1961 Andrews became the home of the official presidential aircraft, known as "Air Force One" when the president is on board. In 1963, Naval Air Facility (NAF) Anacostia, originally established on the Potomac River at Anacostia Naval Air Field near Bolling AFB in 1919, moved to the east side of Andrews AFB. At that time the name was changed from NAF Anacostia to NAF Washington. NAF handles Naval VIP flight operations and is home for a Marine Corps detachment that flies the FA-18 Hornet. With more than 10 AMC units, 60 tenant units the Naval Air Facility housed on the base, and Malcolm Grow Medical Center (3rd largest hospital in the Air Force), we're a busy community proud of our history.
MISSION - To provide safe and reliable worldwide airlift and logistical support for the President, the Vice President, Cabinet members, the Congress and other high ranking U.S. and foreign officials. It is not unusual to have 20-30 Distinguished Visitor (DV) movements per week, including an average of one head of state DV movement per day.
In addition, more than 60 partner (tenant) units and special missions are also located here. The base has a population of more than 18,000 people. The eastern side of Andrews AFB is home to NAF Washington.
SPONSORSHIP - If you have not yet requested a sponsor, you must do so through your LOCAL Military Personal Flight (MPF). The Andrews MPF will not assign a sponsor unless requested through MPF channels. If you are reporting to Andrews AFB or NAF Washington and do not have a sponsor, then you are cheating yourself and your family. The Washington DC region is a large and diverse area and can be both confusing and intimidating to newcomers. The 89th Airlift Wing Commander enthusiastically supports the Sponsor program. Your SPONSOR is your personal link to both the Andrews local community and your new work section. Your SPONSOR is responsible for ensuring that you receive timely and factual information before you get here, are properly taken care of upon arrival, and frequently becomes your new best friend. If you have been assigned a sponsor who is not responding to your needs or who is not performing to your expectations, contact the Community Readiness Consultant (CRC)/Relocation Assistance Program (RAP) Manager at your current base, or the Andrews CRC/RAP Manager (fsc@andrews.af.mil or DSN 858-7087), for assistance.
If you arrive at Andrews after normal duty hours, the Gateway Inn (lodging) office acts at the 24-hour Welcome Center. You can contact the Gateway Inn at DSN 858-4614, or 301-981-4614. Your sponsor should work with you to coordinate reserving lodging accommodations or setting up a room in the unaccompanied quarters for you. Driving directions to Andrews can be found in the Installation Category, Topic Directions.
TEMPORARY QUARTERS - Base lodging is available through the Gateway Inn. You should coordinate with your sponsor to ensure that reservations are made as early as possible to ensure that you have a place to stay upon your arrival. Due to the unique mission here at Andrews, the possibility exists that you may end up having to stay off base in one of the fine area hotels until accommodations become available. You can make advance reservations via the Internet, or by calling the number referenced above.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE - To encourage sponsorship, the RAP manager does not mail Welcome Packages to individuals directly. Your sponsor is responsible for compiling and mailing your Sponsor/Welcome Aboard Packet and addressing your specific questions. (See above to learn how to request a sponsor.) We provide sponsors with local area maps, tourism information, on-base services, schools and spouse employment information. Additionally, we maintain a limited Lending Closet with items available for check out that include sleeping mats, dish packs, coffee pots and irons. Upon your arrival, be sure to inquire about the Newcomers DC Bus Tour and METRO Orientation, which is usually provided monthly to all new arrivals with a valid ID Card, 16 years of age or older. Paid childcare is available to assist with maximum participation of eligible family members. Inquire at time of signup for the tour.
CRITICAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION - There are literally hundreds of assignments and worksites in the Washington DC capital region (at Andrews AFB/NAF Washington alone we have over 60 tenant units). If you are being assigned to the Washington DC area but cannot find information about your duty station, look in the Satellite Locations and Nearby Installations sections. Note: your orders must be for Andrews AFB or NAF Washington (West and East side of the base, respectively) in order for your family to be eligible to live on main base at Andrews. Personnel assigned to the Pentagon are housed by Bolling AFB. We manage a remote housing area, Summerfield Housing that we share with Bolling AFB, as well as Naval District Washington and Ft Meade.
However, because individuals living off-base reside in 5 states, some 60 counties and 300 communities in the Washington metro area (scattered across the states of Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and West Virginia as well as the District of Columbia) you should know that a one-way commute of 45-60 minutes is not uncommon in the Andrews area. Traffic jams are a daily reality. A recent study showed that Washington DC area commuters lose an average of 78 hours per year in traffic tie ups, making it the 2nd worst commuter traffic situation in the U.S. (Los Angeles was first). If you do not live on-base, it's highly recommended you confine your housing search to areas east and south of Andrews AFB, due to major construction and expansion of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge over the Potomac.
Be sure to view the Welcome to Andrews AFB base video tour, available from your local FSC/ACS office. When making local calls to off-base numbers or when using an off-base phone, the entire number--including area code--is dialed as if it were a long distance number, but without the "1" in front of it, e.g., 301-981-7087. If the number you are calling is actually long distance, the phone system will alert you to that fact. The Andrews AFB base locator can be reached at DSN 858-6161 or 301-981-6161/1110. For after hours emergencies contact the Andrews Command Post at 301-981-5058 or DSN 858-5058.
A tour at Andrews AFB is more expensive than at most other CONUS locations. Therefore, housing, eating out, insurance and taxes may be significantly higher than what you are accustomed to. On the positive side, there are lots of free recreational activities and cultural events. Only members living in the dorms will be assigned a Post Office Box at the PSC. Those living off-base or in on-base housing units will use the General Delivery Address for Andrews AFB: Your name c/o General Delivery Box 5000, 1668 D Street, Andrews AFB MD 20762-5000
Those members not residing in dormitories will have general delivery service available until a permanent quarters address is established. Mail service may be continued for a reasonable period, not to exceed 90 days after residence is established. Postal employees state that mail SHOULD NOT be directed to the new address earlier than 30 days of arrival from overseas, and 15 days stateside-to-stateside move. Civilians may also establish a PSC box. Send a copy of your orders to your sponsor. They will need to go to the post office. The Postal Service Center telephone number is (301) 981-2560/DSN 858-2560.
Note from MilitaryAvenue.com
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