Andrews AFB

The 316th Wing provides contingency-response capability critical to national security. This capability includes emergency reaction rotary-wing airlift for the National Capital Region, combat-ready Airmen for Air and Space Expeditionary Forces, and a secure installation and robust infrastructure to support base organizations.

316th Wing staff

The 316th Wing staff directly support the 316 WG commander in the functioning of various wing and base operations.

Agencies on the staff include the Andrews Operations Center and the wing protocol offices to support the arrival of more than 18,000 distinguished visitors including the president of the United States and various foreign heads of state, as well as the offices of the wing historian, inspector general, wing safety, military and civilian equal opportunity employment, public affairs, judge advocate, wing plans and programs, the base chapel and the comptroller squadron.

Protocol

The 316th Wing Protocol office is the largest and busiest protocol office in the Department of Defense, supporting the President of the United States, foreign heads of state and government and other foreign dignitaries, the Vice President, senior Executive and Legislative branch leaders, and more than 18,000 transiting general officers and civilian equivalents annually.

The office operates the world's premier flight line protocol office. The office provides guidance to the Department of State, foreign embassies, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and military service protocol staffs and other Department of Defense and federal agencies. Protocol staff members also operate the Andrews Distinguished Visitors Lounge and advise wing and partner units on all components of protocol. In addition, Protocol manages the Headquarters United States Air Force Conference Center and operates 18 distinguished visitor's quarters.

The Ceremonies and Protocol Office is located in Building 1535, Room A-316. Protocol Operations is located in Building 1245.

AndrewsOperations Center

The Andrews Operations Center is the primary focal point for all command and control functions at Andrews on a 24-hour-a-day, worldwide basis in support of special air missions. The AOC also provides direct en route support for strategic and tactical airlift.

Chaplain

The chapel staff at Andrews is a key element of the 316th Wing. Their vision is the focal point of spiritual fitness for the Andrews community. The chapel staff's mission is providing religious opportunities that engage the spiritual needs of the Andrews community through pastoral care, facilitating religious expression and moral development.

Along with weekend worship opportunities and a variety of programs to enhance spiritual faith, the staff is trained to assist in personal, family, marital, premarital and job-related counseling.

Chaplains may be reached at 301-981-2111 for Chapel 1 and 301-981-3384 for Chapel 3. In case of emergency during after-duty hours, the chaplain duty officer may be reached through the Andrews Operations Center at 301-981-5058.

Historian

The 316th Wing Historian is responsible for providing historical services to the 316th Wing and others in the Andrews community. The primary responsibility of the History Office is officially recording the base's history. It consists of a written narrative volume and numerous volumes of supporting documentation, recounting the significant activities and events of the wing.

The wing historian also maintains the Andrews historical archives, dating back to the early 1940s. The History Office reviews proposed unit emblem designs and updates any changes in the wing's lineage and honors data. In addition, the historian conducts research and responds to inquiries from wing organizations, other government agencies, and the general public. The History Office is located in Building 1535, Room A-122, and can be reached at 301-981-2829.

Inspector General

The 316th Wing Inspector General's office is organized as a staff function reporting directly to the wing commander and has a staff of three officers and five noncommissioned officers. The IG office consists of the Inquiries Branch and the Inspections Branch.

The Inquiries Branch, known also as IGQ, serves as the eyes and ears of the commander by providing a channel for complaints and grievances of the base population.

IGQ keeps the commander informed of potential areas of concern as reflected by trends based on analysis of complaint data. IGQ also educates and trains commanders and members of the base population on their rights and responsibilities in regard to the IG system.

The Inspections Branch, also known as IGI, develops and implements the wing exercise schedule and exercise scenarios for both wing and installation readiness requirements. In order to carry out the planning and execution of the wing exercise program, IGI trains and utilizes a 130-person Exercise Evaluation Team.

The EETs are subject matter experts provided from base organizations who help develop exercise scenarios and provide evaluations of specific tasks on an as-needed basis.

Law Center

The mission of the 316th Wing Law Center is to provide a full spectrum of high quality legal services that support the people, operations, readiness and modernization of Andrews.

The specialties they support are vast and include criminal law, civil law, legal assistance, torts and claims, government contract law, labor law, environment law, international law and operations law. During tax season, January through April, the Andrews Law Center, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service and trained volunteers from the military community, provide eligible clients with a convenient process for electronically filing their yearly tax returns. In essence, they touch every entity at Andrews. The law center is located in the AA corridor on the second floor of Building 1535. For more information, call the Judge Advocate front desk at 301-981-2042.

Military Equal Opportunity

Military Equal Opportunity's primary objective is to serve as diversity consultants to Andrews commanders and assist them in establishing a diverse and mission capable human relations climate free from personal, social or institutional barriers, which prevent servicemembers from rising to the highest level of responsibility possible based on their individual merit, fitness and capability balanced on fairness, equality and justice.

MEO's role to the base populace is to eliminate unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex and any barriers contrary to good order and discipline, counterproductive to combat readiness and mission accomplishment. More importantly, MEO utilizes proactive teaching methods that foster tolerance and understanding of diversity and cultural awareness.

Military members seeking assistance with an allegation of unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment may contact MEO at 301-981-3431 or 202-386-3651, or visit them in Building 1535, Room AB-207.

Public Affairs

The Andrews Public Affairs office is responsible for communicating information about the 316th Wing and other base programs and activities both to the general public and Air Force members and their families. Their mission is to ensure all target publics are better informed about how well the Air Force is prepared to carry out its mission at Andrews.

All appropriate channels of communication are used in carrying out this mission -- print, electronic, Web and interpersonal.

A primary activity of Public Affairs is providing timely, accurate and authoritative information about activities at Andrews to the local, national and international news media. Because of the around-the-clock nature of operations at Andrews and the nature of news reporting, designated Public Affairs personnel are accessible 24-hours a day.

Another important function of Public Affairs is internal communication with Air Force members and their families stationed at Andrews, as well as contractor and vendor personnel who work on base. Key internal communication products and services include the Capital Flyer, a weekly base newspaper published every Friday, base phone directory and information guide including lodging information, which is published annually. The Public Affairs office is located in Building 1535, Room A-212 and can be reached by phone at 301-981-4424.

Safety

The 316th Wing Safety office strives to build and maintain the most proactive, world-class safety prevention program at Andrews in the areas of flight safety, ground safety and weapons safety. Their goal is a mishap-free environment for base personnel, enabling 316th Wing and partner units to provide the safest possible contingency response and air mobility capability for the National Capital Region and America's leaders.

The Flying Safety Program at Andrews ensures thoroughness and quality of mission accomplishment through day-to-day accident prevention.

The Ground Safety Office is responsible for an effective Air Force Occupational and Environmental Safety, Fire Prevention and Health program that provides a safe and healthful workplace for all Air Force employees. The Weapons Safety Office makes sure base construction and facility usage is consistent with Department of Defense and Air Force explosives safety guidelines, and assures every unit on base understands and complies with all weapons and explosives safety standards. The Safety Office is located in Building 1535 and can be reached by calling 301-981-1867.

Plans & Programs

The 316th Wing Plans and Programs Division, also known as XP, provides Andrews with executable contingency and operations plans to ensure base agencies can respond to any local or global contingency. XP is responsible for managing the wing commander’s Crisis Action Team, comprised of Andrew's senior leadership, which activates to respond to contingencies, crises and natural disasters.

Plans and Programs is the Andrews focal point for presidential inaugural activities, presidential material movements from the National Archives, state funerals, Base Realignment and Closure evaluations, and situational reports to higher headquarters as required.

In addition, XP takes the lead in planning and executing the annual Department of Defense Joint Service Open House the third weekend in May. This event allows the DoD to showcase the military's finest air and land assets to more than 80,000 spectators. This builds public appreciation for the capabilities of the world's most advanced weapons systems and those who maintain and operate them. The XP office is located in A wing of Building 1535.

316th Comptroller Squadron

The 316th Comptroller Squadron is comprised of two flights. The Financial Management Analysis flight is responsible for forecasting, formulating and balancing the wing's budget. It serves as the principal financial advisor to the wing commander on all budgetary and accounting policy matters. Flight personnel analyze spending patterns, evaluate resource requirements using a variety of accounting and budget tools and serve as the gatekeepers for all governmental and commercial payments handled through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. The staff also provides financial management advice, training and budgetary guidance to commanders at all levels and their respective resource advisors.

The Financial Services Office is the focal point for military and travel pay entitlements for personnel assigned to the 316th Wing and partner organizations. In addition, the FSO provides help-desk support for base-wide programs including the Defense Travel System and LeaveWeb. The Customer Service lobby is located in Building 1535, Room D-101. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays. Customer Service can be contacted at 301-981-7266 or by e-mail at 316cpts.customerservice@andrews.af.mil.

316th Mission Support Group

The 316th Mission Support Group was activated in June 2006 aligning all base support functions under one group and one command structure.

The group's primary missions are to provide home station and expeditionary services, security, engineering, contracting, logistics, services and personnel management in direct support of the presidential and special airlift missions of Andrews. On a daily basis, the group sustains a combined force of 25,000 in the 316th Wing, 89th Airlift Wing, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Naval Air Facility, 459th Air Refueling Wing, Air Force Reserve Component, 113th Wing, D.C. Air National Guard, and more than 45 partner units. To accomplish this mission, the group consists of six diverse squadrons.

316th Civil Engineer Squadron

The 316th Civil Engineer Squadron is responsible for force readiness, fire protection, facility planning, programming, design construction, operations and maintenance, explosive ordnance disposal, military family housing, environmental protection and resources for a $3.6 billion physical plant supporting Presidential and distinguished visitor airlift missions. Additionally, they provide combat-ready engineer forces to meet combatant commander requirements and critical contingency response needs for the National Capital Region.

316th Contracting Squadron

The 316th Contracting Squadron provides acquisition support for the 316th Wing, 89th Airlift Wing, 459th Air Refueling Wing and more than 45 partner units in direct support of the President, Vice President, members of the Cabinet, Congress and other high-ranking dignitaries. It also plans and manages complex construction, services and commodities contracts valued in excess of $450 million and deploys contracting officers worldwide to provide expeditionary and contingency contracting support.

316th Logistics Readiness Squadron

The 316th Logistics Readiness Squadron provides vehicle and traffic management services to the Presidential and special airlift missions of Andrews. The 316 LRS provides executive driver service for senior officials, manages base deployment planning and support agreements, ensures munitions, supply and fuels support to regional customers. They also provide combat-ready forces in support of worldwide logistics and National Capital Region contingency response operations.

316th Mission Support Squadron

The 316th Mission Support Squadron provides military and civilian personnel management, manpower and organization support, education and training services, family support, military readiness programs, Professional Military Education for staff sergeant-selects, and a First Term Airman orientation for all first-duty station Airmen to more than 120,000 military, family members and retirees in the National Capital Region.

The 316 MSS also supports the Air National Guard Readiness Center, the 89th Airlift Wing, D.C. Air National Guard, the 113th Wing, the 459th Air Refueling Wing and more than 45 partner and geographically separated units.

316th Security Forces Squadron

The 316th Security Forces Squadron is one of the largest squadrons in the 316th Wing and one of the largest security forces squadrons in the Air Force. Its 600-plus members provide worldwide security for Air Force One and special air missions. The 316 SFS can rapidly deploy forces for global wartime contingency operations. Additionally, it actively protects Department of Defense assets, provides police services, visitor control and personnel, information and industrial security for the 20,000 military and civilian personnel assigned to the base. The 316 SFS has one of the largest K-9 sections in the Air Force and provides Combat Arms Training, servicing Andrews and the National Capital Region.

316th Services Squadron

The Andrews Services Squadron provides food operations at The Courses at Andrews, The Club at Andrews, The Sports Page and the Bowling Center. Facilities overseen by the 316th Services Squadron include lodging, two fitness centers, three child care centers, two youth centers, a collocated club, a bowling center, three golf courses with a pro shop, two dining facilities for enlisted personnel, an outdoor recreation, an auto hobby shop, parks, a base lake, an RV fenced-in storage lot, family camp grounds, a swimming pool, equipment rental, a ticket and tours office and a library with a computer center. In addition, 316 SVS maintains a non appropriated fund financial office, readiness and mortuary affairs. Services offers a variety of quality-of-life programs and activities year-round. Readiness, fitness, leisure activities, and quality of life program's activities are the goals to enhancing individual and family lifestyles on Andrews.

316th Operations Group

The proud professionals of the 316th Operations Group provide continuous rotary-wing contingency response capability to the National Capital Region while simultaneously supporting Andrew's global aerial port customers with critical airfield infrastructure and aviation services. The group consists of two squadrons. The 1st Helicopter Squadron’s highly skilled, experienced and motivated aircrew and support personnel execute the Air Force District of Washington's only flying mission. The squadron warriors support distinguished visitor and contingency airlift missions for the White House, members of the Cabinet, Congress and Department of Defense officials.

316th Operations Support Squadron

The 316th Operations Support Squadron provides airfield management, weather, transient aircraft and flight management services to Andrews supporting joint interagency operations, critical contingency response capabilities, senior leaders and foreign heads of state in the National Capital Region. They provide operations support services and Federal Aviation Administration liaison services to Department of Defense, civilian and foreign aircraft and 19 tenant flying organizations.

1st Helicopter Squadron

The 1st Helicopter Squadron flies UH-1N rotary-wing aircraft to conduct high-priority airlift missions in the National Capital Region. The squadron continues to add accident-free flying hours to their impressive 223,000 hour total as of August 2006; a helicopter flight safety record. The Air Force began rotary wing operations in the National Capital Region in 1955.

Partner Units

89th Airlift Wing

The mission of the 89th Airlift Wing is to transport our nation's civilian and military leaders to locations around the globe ... in peace, crisis, and conflict ... and to employ a wide range of current and emerging command, control and communications capabilities to keep them aware of current events and to allow them to make timely decisions that further United States interests.

The 89 AW thus provides safe, reliable, worldwide airlift and logistical support for the President of the United States, Vice President, Cabinet members and other high-ranking U.S. and foreign government officials.

History

The wing traces its roots to October 1, 1948, when the 1254th Air Transport Squadron was established at Washington National Airport. Special air mission VIP, flying, however, began even earlier. The first truly "special mission" aircraft were specifically designated to transport high-ranking government officials in 1936 with the activation of the 1st and 2nd Staff Squadrons at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.

The 1254th became a group in 1952 and a wing in 1960. In 1961, the 1254th Air Transport Wing was moved from Washington National Airport to Andrews. The 1254th was inactivated on Jan. 8, 1966, and the 89th Military Airlift Wing (Special Mission) was organized in its place. It was redesignated the 89th Military Airlift Group on September 30, 1977, and back to the 89 MAW in December 1980. On July 12, 1991, the wing was redesignated to the 89th Airlift Wing. An asset of Air Mobility Command, the wing is directly assigned to 21st Air Force, headquartered at McGuire AFB, N.J.

The 89 AW served as the host unit at Andrews from 1991 to 2006. The 316th Wing, under the auspices of the Air Force District of Washington, assumed host responsibilities in June 2006, and the 89th became a tenant organization still operating from the base.

The 89th Airlift Wing is truly a diverse wing and, in recognition of its quality efforts, has been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 17 times.

Aircraft Inventory

The early Special Missions Fleet consisted of such aircraft as C-47s, C-54s (including President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Sacred Cow), C-118s (including President Harry S. Truman's Independence) and C-121s (including President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Columbine II and Columbine III).

Later aircraft included VC-137s (Boeing 707s), C-9s (Douglas DC-9s), and UH-1N helicopters (the last-named are now operating under the 316th Wing at Andrews).

Today, the 89th Airlift Wing aircraft inventory consists of a fleet of some of the most modern, technologically advanced aircraft in the world. These include a fleet of C-32s (Boeing 757s), C-37s (Gulfstream Vs), C-20s (Gulfstream IIIs), and C-40Bs (Boeing 737s).

The most notable aircraft in the inventory are two VC-25s (Boeing 747s). Each is known by the call sign "Air Force One" whenever the President is aboard. Operated and maintained by the Presidential Airlift Group these aircraft are specially equipped to meet the president's needs.

Accommodations include an executive suite consisting of a stateroom, office and conference/dining room. These aircraft have secure global communications plus a compartment outfitted with medical equipment and supplies for medical emergencies.

89 AW Historian

The 89th Airlift Wing Historian is responsible for providing historical services to the 89th Airlift Wing. The primary responsibility of the History Office is officially recording the wing's history. It consists of a written narrative volume and numerous volumes of supporting documentation, recounting the significant activities and events of the wing.

The wing historian also maintains the historical archives of the wing and its predecessor organizations, dating back to the early 1930s. The History Office reviews proposed unit emblem designs and updates any changes in the wing's lineage and honors data. In addition, the historian conducts research and responds to inquiries from wing organizations, other government agencies, and the general public. The History Office is located in Building 1535, Room A-122, and can be reached at 301-981-2829.

Presidential Airlift Group

The Presidential Airlift Group, part of Air Mobility Command's 89th Airlift Wing, based at Andrews Air Force Base, is commanded by the presidential pilot. The group's mission is to provide first class airlift to the President of the United States to destinations around the globe. In addition to the President and First Family, the unit has transported many foreign heads of state and other dignitaries. The group's two squadrons are responsible for flying and maintaining the presidential fleet consisting of two specifically-configured Boeing 747-200B series aircraft with Air Force designation VC-25A -- tail numbers 28000 and 29000. In the past 34 years, the group has flown more than 3.6 million accident-free miles.

89th Airlift Support Group

The 89th Airlift Support Group operates and maintains continuous Department of Defense worldwide air-to-ground C2 systems and provides around-the-clock air transportation support for the President, national leaders, combatant commanders and Special Air Mission operations employing state-of-the-art global communications systems and aerial port equipment. The group operates the Government Network Operations Center supporting the Senior Leaders Communications System and airborne platforms. It is located at three geographically separated locations throughout the National Capital Region.

The 89th Aerial Port Squadron also works under the 89 ASG. The 89 APS provides aerial port services for all passengers and aircraft transiting in and out of Andrews. It's responsible for processing, manifesting, loading and off-loading passengers, baggage and air cargo. Its passenger traffic makes it the busiest aerial port in the Air Force.

89th Operations Group

The proud men and women of the 89th Operations Group provide airlift to our nation's highest civilian and military leaders on missions known as Special Air Missions. The group consists of three squadrons. Executing the critical flying mission of the operations group requires highly skilled, experienced and motivated personnel. Pilots require a minimum of 2,000 flying hours and must be qualified as an instructor pilot in a major weapons system to be considered for selection. The skilled flight engineers and communications system operators in the operations group have an average of 14 years experience.

In addition to being skilled chefs, flight attendants must be experts in emergency procedures, customs regulations, and are selected from all Air Force specialties.

The distinctive blue and white aircraft of the 89 OG represent a unique aspect of Air Mobility Command’s mission of "global reach," and provide a powerful tool for the highest leaders to wield "global power." Above all, the operations group remains totally committed to providing its customers unparalleled safety, comfort and reliability.

Above all, the 89 OG remains totally committed to providing its customers unparalleled safety, comfort andreliability.

1st Airlift Squadron

The 1st Airlift Squadron's lineage can be traced back to its formation at Homestead Army Airfield, Fla., March 23, 1944. As part of the Caribbean Wing of Air Transport Command, the squadron quickly prepared for activation and deployment overseas.

Upon activation, the 1st Air Transport Squadron trained for airlift operations in the China-Burma-India Theater of operations. It began military airlift missions at Kharagpur Airfield, India, in May of 1944. Using C-46 and C-87 aircraft, the 1 ATS was responsible for transporting men and material over the Himalayas to United States and Allied bases in China.

The squadron was inactivated March 25, 1946 and disbanded Oct. 8, 1948. It was then reactivated Nov. 18, 1953 at Dover Air Force Base, Del., as the 1st Air Transport Squadron, Medium. The 1st was re-designated the 1st Military Airlift Squadron Jan.8, 1966, and continued to serve at Dover AFB, until inactivated June 30, 1971. The squadron was reactivated at Andrews Sept. 12, 1977 and was redesignated the 1 AS July 12, 1991. The 1 AS, under the 89th Operations Group, flies the C-32A and C-40B, which are highly modified Boeing 757 and 737 aircraft, in support of the nation's leaders.

99th Airlift Squadron

The 99th Airlift Squadron operates the C-20B and C-37A, modified Gulfstream III and V aircraft executing Special Airlift Missions. Primary SAM customers include the White House staff, Vice President, First Lady, members of Congress, Cabinet secretaries, foreign heads of state, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other high-ranking government and military officials as directed by the Air Staff. The pilots, flight engineers, communications systems operators and flight attendants of the 99 AS also maintain rapid-reaction alert crews to support short-notice White House requirements. They transport America's distinguished leaders to more international locations than any other Air Force unit. Together, the 99 AS and 1 AS fixed-wing SAM squadrons have amassed an outstanding record of more than 402,300 accident-free flying hours.

89th Operations Support Squadron

The 89th Operations Support Squadron provides vital mission support including intelligence, mission operations, current operations, operational training and flight management Communications Security, life support, tactics and executes the special airlift program. Mission operations is a unique organization conducting mission planning, coordinating en route support and diplomatic clearances for hundreds of missions each year. The current operations flight provides operational scheduling and command and control of all Special Air Mission aircraft in concert with Andrews Operations Center and the assistant vice chief of staff of the Air Force Special Missions Office. The 89 OSS also manages the Executive Airlift Training Center: the Air Force’s Gulfstream aircraft pilot training schoolhouse and premiere joint military training center for Air Force and other service's flight attendants and communications systems operators.

89th Maintenance Group

The 89th Maintenance Group provides aircraft maintenance support for 15 assigned Special Air Mission aircraft valued at more than $728 million that transport the President, Vice President, Cabinet secretaries, Congress members, combatant commanders and other high-ranking U.S. and foreign dignitaries worldwide.

As a result of a government competitive sourcing in April of 2001, the group transitioned flight line maintenance, transient alert maintenance and base supply and fuels from military to a civilian contractor--DynCorp International. Following the Air Force combat wing reorganization, the 89th Maintenance Group is now comprised of two divisions, the Maintenance Operations Division and the Performance Management Division.

The MOD develops, coordinates and implements maintenance and supply policies for all distinguished visitor air lifters. Their flying crew chiefs are responsible for the maintenance of the C-32A and C-40B while deployed on missions off-station. The division also controls the maintenance operations center, which serves as the focal point for all flight line maintenance issues on Andrews.

The MOD is also responsible for program management of five commercial-derivative aircraft types that are assigned to the 89th Airlift Wing. The program management of aircraft at the wing level is the only one of its kind in the Air Force.

The PMD is responsible for the surveillance of Air Mobility Command's only maintenance and supply contract valued at $328 million. The members of the division ensure the contractor meets all requirements specified in the contract as well as serve as the contracting officer's representatives and the resident military experts for all maintenance and contractual issues. The CORs work extensively with the 89th Contracting Squadron on all matters pertaining to the contract.

79th Medical Wing

The 79th Medical Wing is the Air Force's single medical voice for planning and implementing Air Force and joint medical solutions within the national capital region. Activated on May 10, 2006, it's only the second medical wing in the Air Force. The 79 MDW controls an annual budget of more than $113 million and has a workforce of nearly 1,800 personnel who are geographically separated throughout the National Capital Region. Its current and future group designations are: the 79th Medical Group, Malcolm Grow Medical Center, Andrews, Air Force Base; the 579th Medical Group, with personnel at both Bolling AFB, and the Pentagon; and by the end of fiscal year 2008 it will stand up the 779th Medical Group, that will host and additional 550 personnel who will be stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. and or the medical facility at Fort Belvoir.

The 79 MDW is a partner unit on Andrews, and headquartered at MGMC. As part of its mission the wing organizes trains, equips and provides medical forces for Air and Space Expeditionary Force deployment, homeland operations and in support of joint operations within the NCR and is the East Coast hub for Aeromedical evacuation aircraft returning sick or injured patients form the Atlantic area.

Additionally, the 79 MDW is responsible for providing medical support to Presidential, Congressional, Joint and Air Staff special airlift missions.

79th Medical Group

Malcolm Grow Medical Center, also known as the 79th Medical Group, is named in honor of the first Air Force surgeon general. We are a multi-functional medical facility that has been in operation since 1958 and located on the west side of Andrews Air Force Base, 1050 West Perimeter Road.

The 79 MDG maintains medical readiness for worldwide contingencies with 1,373 staff members and 69 residents. Annually, they support more than 393,000 beneficiaries in the national capital region with a 40-bed inpatient service, 42 health care specialties and an operational and maintenance budget of $67 million. MGMC sponsors 19 professional training programs and provides medical support to Presidential and Congressional Special Airlift Missions as well as global aeromedical evacuation missions.

On a typical day, the 79 MDG provides a full-range of primary care services, and offers a full-spectrum of medical and surgical sub-specialties to better serve our military beneficiaries. These include services in areas as diverse as dental, acupuncture and chiropractic clinics. The 79 MDG also serves as a regional referral facility for both orthopedic and general surgery patients; they are the only military facility in the National Capital Region that provides intensive outpatient services for substance abuse and they are a leader in outpatient care with approximately 28,500 patient visits each month. Their healthcare services are supported by robust diagnostic capabilities, which include magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine services.

The medical center is linked to many treatment facilities in the Washington, D.C. area and around the world by a vast aeromedical evacuation system. The Aeromedical Staging Facility coordinates medical airlift and recovery requirements for more than 7,200 patients annually. It also provides the en route care for patients awaiting airlift to their final destination for medical care and operates as a transient medical facility for aeromedical evacuation missions. To support contingency operations, the ASF is capable of expanding to 250 beds and is integral to the support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. The ASF also supports Horn of Africa casualties and is a key player in supporting humanitarian and contingency missions in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Peru and El Salvador.

In addition to providing direct patient care, the 79 MDG is affiliated with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and serves as a training facility for medical students from across the country. Graduate medical education and technical training programs for health care professionals are available in 18 different specialties and they provide training programs for approximately 1,600 health professionals each year. Seventy-seven members of our professional staff hold affiliate faculty positions at USUHS and several are consultants to the Air Force surgeon general in their respective specialty.

744th Communications Squadron

The 744th Communications Squadron provides vital command, control, communications, computer, multimedia and information systems support to the 316th Wing, 89th Airlift Wing, 79th Medical Wing and partner units on Andrews.

The squadron delivers high quality on-base communications services, including local area network support; telephone maintenance and switchboard operations; land mobile radios; public address systems; communications plans, requirements, and implementation; Base Information Transfer Center; administrative communications and records management; publications and forms management; graphics, photo and video documentation; telecommunications center; intrusion detecting systems; communications and computer security; and meteorological and navigational systems support at three other military installations in the National Capital Region and Camp David. The 744 CS also operates and maintains all audio and visual equipment associated with the Headquarters United States Air Force Conference Center in direct support to the chief of staff of the Air Force and other Department of Defense agencies.

The 744 CS is organizationally aligned with the 844th Communications Group at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., to provide centralized management of Air Force communications resources throughout the NCR.

District of Columbia Air National Guard

The District of Columbia Air National Guard Headquarters draws its members from throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, as well as from more distant points in Maryland, Virginia and other neighboring states.

The DCANG Headquarters is comprised of the 113th Wing, 231st Combat Communications Squadron and the 121st Weather Flight.

121st Weather Flight

The 121st Weather Flight is tasked to provide aviation specific weather forecasts to the Capital Guardians. They also provide weather support to First United States Army Headquarters at Fort Gillem, Ga., in response to disaster contingency efforts for major weather events.

231st Combat Communications Squadron

The 231st Combat Communications Squadron’s mission is to provide rapid, mobile, state-of-the-art communications services to the United States of America and the District of Columbia. This is accomplished through the use of tactical communications to include satellite, microwave, secure and non-secure telephone services and computer network support.

113th Wing

The mission of the 113th Wing, District of Columbia Air National Guard, is to provide the Air Force with air sovereignty forces to defend the nation's capital, along with fighter, airlift and support units capable of global employment. The 113th is professionally recognized as the premier unit in the Air National Guard with 11 consecutive Air Force Outstanding Unit awards. The 113 WG includes the 121st Fighter Squadron and the 201st Airlift Squadron. Wing aircraft include the F-16 C+, C-40 and C-38.

The 113th's long and storied history of service goes back to the 1940s and World War II, when aerial units flew observation patrols along the mid-Atlantic Coast as well as observation missions in North Africa and Europe. In 1951, the wing was called to Active Duty in the midst of the Korean War. The unit was again called up in 1961 to provide support during the Berlin Crisis, but remained at Andrews. The Pueblo Crisis caused another call to Active Duty in January of 1968. The unit served as part of an Air National Guard rainbow unit in Vietnam.

In 1996 and 1998, the wing deployed to enforce the no-fly zones over Iraq in support of Operations Southern and Northern Watch. The wing was called to Active Duty on Sept. 11, 2001 and immediately began flying continuous air patrols over the nation's capital. They deployed and flew many combat missions during the opening days of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and deployed in support of OIF once again in September 2006. All the while, the 113th Wing has remained true to their nickname, "Capital Guardians" with crews and airplanes standing round-the-clock alert at Andrews in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

459th Air Refueling Wing

The 459th Air Refueling Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command unit based at Andrews, is tasked with providing air refueling support with its KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft to Air Force units worldwide.

The 459th and its preceding units have been based at Andrews since 1954. A full-time civilian and Air Reserve Technician staff of approximately 220 people provides day-to-day administration and management of the unit. Staff offices are located at 3755 Patrick Avenue.

This unit is the only flying AFRC unit in the greater Washington, D.C., area and a six-time recipient of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

Providing both aerial refueling and airlift support to the Active Duty Air Force and training for assigned Reservists, the 459th is, during peacetime, under the command and con-trol of Headquarters, AFRC, Robins Air Force Base, Ga. In war or during times of national emergency, the 459th is under the direction of Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

The wing has been called to provide military support on many occasions throughout its recent history. In 1998 and 1999, aircrews and ground support personnel with the 459th flew seven missions to Honduras to provide life-sustaining supplies after the devastating effect of Hurricane Mitch. They also carried humanitarian cargo as part of the Denton Amendment to Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru and Germany; and supported counter drug efforts in Colombia and Puerto Rico.

In the summer of 2000, 459th aircrews delivered cargo used to fight fires in the western United States.

During 2001, the wing aided NASA by delivering Atmospheric Research cargo to Brazil and Tahiti as well as space shuttle equipment to Italy.

After Sept. 11, 2001, members of the wing, including about 50 members of the 459th Security Forces Squadron, were activated for up to two years in support of Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom to provide force protection and intelligence. Some of them worked alongside their Active Duty counterparts to control entry to the installation, patrol the base and secure government equipment and resources.

The 459th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, has actively supported every Air Expeditionary Force rotation since the AEF concept began, until February 2005.

Later in 2005, the wing also provided assistance during the aftermath of the devastation of hurricane's Katrina and Rita in the Gulf States. The wing's medical crews and security forces supported recovery efforts in Louisiana and Texas.

In 2006, members of the 459th's medical squadrons provided humanitarian assistance in Honduras and the Dominican Republic. The wings medical personnel also provided support in Iraq and Germany for the Global War on Terrorism.

Air National Guard Readiness Center

The Air National Guard Readiness Center develops, manages and directs Air National Guard programs, which implement national-level policies, set by the Department of Defense, the Air Force and the National Guard Bureau. It also performs operational and technical functions to ensure combat readiness of ANG units and is a channel of communication between the NGB and the states on ANG operational activities.

The ANGRC commander is responsible for four detachments and 23 operating locations with an authorized strength of 734 military and civilian personnel. Its mission is to provide service and support to the ANG and help accomplish its total Air Force mission.

When established in August 1977, ANG staff-policy functions and operational functions were officially separated. The building is a three-story structure with 87,300 feet of office space.

The old ANG Field Support Center at Edgewood Arsenal, Md., was inactivated June 1, 1979, as a named activity and concurrent with inactivation, the Headquarters ANG Support Center was constituted at Andrews as a direct reporting unit and assigned to the United States Air Force.

The ANG Support Center was redesignated as a field-operating agency of the National Guard Bureau in 1989, as a result of an internal reorganization. In late 1990, the NGB at Andrews was redesignated as the ANGRC.

Naval Air Facility Washington

A Naval Air Facility on an Air Force base? That's the situation at Andrews. The history of NAF Washington can be traced to Naval Air Station Anacostia, an area in southeast Washington, D.C., where, in 1918, the Navy began testing its new seaplanes. Forty years later, when the Anacostia facility could no longer meet the needs of the Navy's flight requirements, it was decided the functions of the air station would be moved to nearby Andrews. After four years of transition, a dedication ceremony was held in January 1962, which marked the official birth of NAF, Washington, D.C. Due to its high volume of air traffic bound for air stations worldwide, NAF Washington has been dubbed "The Crossroads of the Navy".

NAF, Washington, D.C., is the largest Naval Reserve training facility operating under Commander, Naval Reserve Forces Command headquartered in New Orleans and is responsible for maintaining, training, and supporting 3,500 Reservists augment the Navy and Marine Corps Team throughout the full range of operations from peace to war.

NAF Washington's primary mission is to provide administration, training, logistics and maintenance support to the 104 Naval Reserve augment units and 10 tenant commands, including five Navy and Marine Corps aviation squadrons and detachments. The Naval Reserve units also receive their mobilization training and conduct their activation processing through the facility.

A variety of naval aircraft are homebased onboard NAF Washington's flight line, including the EA-6B Prowler, C-20 Gulfstream, C-130 Hercules, UC-12B and the UC-35.

On a pedestal next to NAF Washington's headquarters building sits a World War II-era F6F Hellcat fighter, a lasting tribute to the naval aviators of the Washington, D.C., area.

Civil Air Patrol

Detachment 2, CAP-USAF

Detachment 2, CAP-USAF is the Air Force regional headquarters for liaison to the Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol. Detachment 2, Middle East Liaison Region, is one of eight regional headquarters nationwide, and provides assistance to CAP wings in Delaware, Maryland, the National Capital Region, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Air Force and civilian personnel here provide advice, liaison and oversight to CAP for emergency services such as search and rescue, disaster relief, homeland security, cadet programs and aerospace education. Each year, the region sponsors a variety of programs in support of the CAP. Their on-base contact number is 240-857-6229.

Andrews Composite Squadron, National Capital Wing

Andrews Composite Squadron, National Capital Wing is an operational unit that supports all three of CAP's missions, including the cadet programs. Cadets range from 12 to 21 years of age. The unit holds general membership meetings 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at their facility in Building 3802 on Michigan Avenue. CAP performs 95 percent of continental United States inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counterdrug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members take a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the almost 25,000 young adults currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for more than 60 years. For more information, visit CAP on the Web at www.cap.gov. Their on-base contact number is 240-857-4010 and e-mail is dc033@natcapwg.cap.gov.

CAP Congressional Squadron

The CAP Congressional Squadron was formed in 1967, by Wolff and Jerry Pettis of California to allow members of Congress and other influential people in the Washington, D.C., area an opportunity to participate in CAP programs. The squadron is an operational search and rescue and disaster relief unit made up of members of Congress, their staff, Legislative and Executive Branch officials and aviation professionals. The squadron reports directly to CAP National Headquarters at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and has provided national-level assistance and congressional influence to CAP on a wide range of issues and concerns since the squadron was chartered. The unit is currently commanded by Senator Tom Harkin. Operational facilities are located at the south end of the eastside flight operations area.

Headquarters Air Force Office of Special Investigations

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is an Air Force field operating agency headquartered at Andrews. OSI has been the Air Force's felony-level investigative service since Aug. 1, 1948. The agency reports to the Inspector General, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.

OSI provides professional investigative service to commanders of all Air Force activities. It identifies, investigates and neutralizes criminal, terrorist and espionage threats to Air Force and Department of Defense personnel and resources. The command focuses on four priorities:

Detect and provide early warning of worldwide threats to the Air Force

Identify and resolve crime impacting Air Force readiness or good order and discipline

Combat threats to Air Force information systems and technologies

Defeat and deter fraud in the acquisition of Air Force prioritized weapons systems.

Develop and retain a force capable of meeting Air Force needs

OSI has 2,678 Active Duty, Reserve and civilian personnel. Of this number, approximately 2,042 are federally credentialed special agents, who are drawn from all segments of the total force. There are 352 Active Duty officers, 936 Active Duty enlisted personnel, 427 civilians and 327 reservists.

In addition to the command's headquarters, OSI has eight field investigations regions. Seven of the regions are aligned with Air Force major commands: Region 1 with Air Force Materiel Command, Region 2 with Air Combat Command, Region 3 with Air Mobility Command, Region 4 with Air Education and Training Command, Region 5 with U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Region 6 with Pacific Air Forces and Region 8 with Air Force Space Command. The single region not aligned with a major command is Region 7, whose mission is to provide counterintelligence and security-program management for special-access programs under the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.

While the regions serve the investigative needs of those aligned major commands, all OSI units and personnel remain independent of those commands, and their chains of command flow directly to OSI headquarters. Such organizational independence ensures unbiased investigations.

The regional level also includes subordinate units called field investigations squadrons, detachments and operating locations. In sum, OSI has more than 220 units worldwide.

317th Recruiting Squadron

The 317th Recruiting Squadron, headquartered in Oxon Hill, Md., and serviced by Andrews, is an Air Education and Training Command tenant unit. The 317 RCS is responsible for finding and recruiting highly qualified personnel from an approximately 40,000 square-mile area, covering three states and the District of Columbia to meet the Air Force requirements.

The squadron recruits non-prior service, prior service, officer training school candidates, and all health professions personnel as well as potential candidates for reserve officers training corps, nurse and health professions scholarships. To contact the squadron, call 301-567-7146.

More than 60 recruiters maintain operations from offices in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Squadron members also process applications at two Military Entrance Processing Stations in Baltimore, MD and Ft. Lee, Va.