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 Andrews AFB Posted by:  tiki-4
N 38° 49.291 W 076° 53.162
18S E 336269 N 4298660
Also known as "The Gateway to the Nation's Capital," Andrews has seen kings, queens, prime ministers and military leaders from over 50 nations fly on its aircraft and transit through the base just in the last few years. People stationed here may see or even participate in events and operations that directly affect the course of world events. Andrews is constantly featured in the public spotlight on national and international television, radio, newspapers and magazines.
Waymark Code: WM3K3
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 11/09/2005
Views: 50
While the primary mission at Andrews is to transport the president of the United States, the base is also tasked to provide reliable and comfortable worldwide airlift for the vice president, the president's Cabinet, members of Congress, military leaders and other high ranking dignitaries. That is what SAM FOX is all about.
Originally, SAM FOX, when used as a prefix to an aircraft tail number, formed a radio call sign to identify Air Force aircraft that were transporting high-ranking, distinguished visitors, typically on foreign flights. The call sign prefix was constructed from the acronym SAM (Special Air Mission) and the initial F (Foreign), which at the time was represented by the phonetic word "Fox."
http://public.andrews.amc.af.mil/index.asp
Era: WW II
General Comments:
The history of Andrews Air Force Base dates back to the Civil War when the Union occupied a small country church as its headquarters for soldiers camped nearby. Today, that church is known as Chapel Two, and the base community still uses it for worship services.
In the early part of the 20th century, the present site of Andrews was often discussed for a potential civilian airfield. In August 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the Secretary of War to acquire the land and to build a military airfield. Construction began later that year. On April 19, 1943, the first permanent unit, the 463rd Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron, arrived from Westover Field, Mass., with 105 enlisted men and five officers.
Camp Springs Army Air Field became operational on May 2, 1943, when the first Republic P-47 Thunderbolt arrived; 75 other P-47s arrived during the first month. The field's early mission was to train fighter pilots for overseas combat duty.
Camp Springs became Andrews Field in 1945 to honor of one of the Air Force's founding fathers, Lt. Gen. Frank M. Andrews. He died in an airplane crash on May 3, 1943, ironically the day after the base that now bears his name opened. Shortly after the Air Force became a separate service in 1947, the base's name changed to Andrews Air Force Base.
Related web site: Not listed
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