Specifications - Joint Base Andrews
Summary
Joint Base Andrews is a major U.S. military installation serving as a critical hub for presidential air transport and strategic airlift operations. Covering approximately 6,000 acres, it supports thousands of active-duty military personnel, civilian employees, and family residents.
The base features extensive infrastructure including multiple large hangars designed to house Air Force One and other VIP aircraft, advanced air traffic control towers, and secure command and control centers. It maintains high levels of autonomy with dedicated power generation, water treatment, and logistics support to ensure continuous mission readiness.
Personnel include a robust mix of operations, technical, support, medical, and recreational staff, all coordinated to maintain base security and functionality. The defense systems at Andrews include armed security forces, surveillance, electronic countermeasures, and hardened facilities designed to protect high-value assets and personnel.
Joint Base Andrews serves as the premier site for presidential and VIP air travel, emergency response, and a wide range of military aviation missions, ensuring strategic mobility and security for the nation’s top leaders and assets.
General
| Max Occupancy | Approx. 5,000 personnel (active duty, civilian employees, contractors) | |
| Food Source | On-base dining facilities and contracted food service providers | |
| Air Filtration | Military-grade HVAC with NBC filtration in key command and control centers | |
| Network | Secure Department of Defense (DoD) classified and unclassified networks, including fiber optic and satellite communications | |
| Autonomy | High autonomy with on-base power generation, water treatment, and logistics support | |
| Capacity | Full operational support for airlift, VIP transport, and emergency response missions | |
| Size | N/A (see Size Overview) | |
| Power Source | Primary power from local grid with extensive on-site backup diesel and gas turbine generators | |
| Water Source | On-base municipal water connection with on-site water treatment and emergency reserves |
Size Overview
| Total Depth | N/A | |
| Total Number of Decks | Varies by building; main operations and command centers typically 3-5 floors | |
| Total Horizontal Footprint | Approx. 6,000 acres (including runways, hangars, facilities, housing) | |
| Total Floor Space | Over 3 million sq ft across all buildings and facilities | |
| Structural Diameter | N/A | |
| Structural Layers | Standard military construction, reinforced concrete, blast-resistant design in critical structures | |
| Volume | N/A | |
| Key Facility Sizes | Air Traffic Control Tower: Approx. 150 ft tall, with multiple floors of operations Hangars: Multiple large hangars, including those designed for Air Force One and other VIP aircraft (some over 200,000 sq ft each) Mission Command Centers: Secure buildings with reinforced structures, advanced communication suites Residential Housing: Multiple barracks and family housing units totaling thousands of units |
Backup Vehicles & Transportation Facilities
| Location | Extensive on-base motor pools and vehicle yards | |
| Motorcade Fleet | Secure ground transport vehicles including armored SUVs and limousines for VIP movements | |
| Aircraft | Air Force One and Two designated hangars and support facilities Fleet of VIP helicopters (VH-3D, VH-60N) and transport aircraft (VC-25A, C-32) Numerous fighter, cargo, refueling, and support aircraft |
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| Surface & Subterranean Access | Extensive network of secure roads, tunnels for utilities, and restricted vehicle routes | |
| Vehicle Support Facilities | Multiple maintenance and repair shops, fueling stations, and logistics hubs |
Personnel
| Executive Branch (President, VP, Cabinet) | N/A (visitors but no permanent presence) | |
| Federal Agency Directors (FBI, CIA, NSA, DHS, etc.) | N/A (agency personnel may visit but not stationed) | |
| Legislative Branch (Senators + Representatives) | N/A | |
| Military Personnel | Approx. 4,000-5,000 active duty and reserve personnel | |
| Medical Staff | On-base medical clinic and emergency response teams (~200 medical personnel) | |
| Technical & Operations Staff | Approx. 1,000+ (air traffic control, communications, logistics, facility management) | |
| Support Staff (maintenance, sanitation, food, admin) | Several hundred | |
| Scientific & Agricultural Staff | N/A | |
| Education Staff | N/A | |
| Recreation & Morale Staff | On-base recreational facility staff (~50-100) | |
| Government & Judicial Staff | N/A | |
| General Population (residents and other civilians) | Includes family housing residents, civilian employees |
Defensive Systems
| Defense System | U.S. Air Force security forces with perimeter defenses, armed patrols, and rapid response teams Surveillance cameras, motion sensors, and radar coverage Anti-drone systems and electronic warfare capabilities Hardened command centers and bunkers for continuity of operations Integrated air defense systems coordinated with nearby military installations Emergency lockdown and evacuation protocols |