Old line air power

Maryland is home to some of the biggest and most important bases in the United States. Tom Kaminski assesses the state’s assets

onsidered to be one of

Cthe Mid-Atlantic states, Maryland shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to the south and west,

Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean in the east and Pennsylvania to the north.

The state’s large coastal area includes much of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. One of the original 13 British

Colonies, Maryland was the seventh state admitted to the Union after it ratifi ed the new federal Constitution in 1788. Maryland is often referred to by the nickname ‘Old Line State’, which is associated with the revolutionary war and the ‘regular’ soldiers of the

Continental Army. While it is the ninth smallest state by area, Maryland continues to support a number of large and very important military installations that include Joint Base Andrews, Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River and the US Army Aberdeen Proving Ground.

National Capital Region

Famous as the home of the Presidential transport known as ‘Air Force One’, Joint Base Andrews – Naval Air Facility Washington is home to units of the US Air Force and its reserve components, US Army, US Navy and Marine Corps. Covering 6.9sq miles, the base is located 4.5 miles southeast of the boundary of the District of Columbia in Camp Springs, Maryland, but within the geographic area known as the National Capital Region. Called Camp Springs Army Airfi eld when it became operational on May 2, 1943, the base was renamed Andrews Field on May 2, 1945, to honor Lt Gen Frank M Andrews, who died in a B-24D crash in Iceland on May 3, 1943. It was renamed Andrews AFB in 1947 and took on its current title in October 2009.

Headquartered at Andrews, the Air Force District of Washington (AFDW), is a direct reporting unit assigned to the Department of the Air Force, and the offi ce of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The organization serves as the Air Force service component for co-ordination purposes to Joint Forces Headquarters – National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR). Reporting to the AFDW, the 316th Wing has been the host wing at Andrews since June 2020, and its 316th Operations Group (OG) is responsible for the 1st Helicopter Squadron (HS). Operating a fl eet of 21 twin-engine Bell

Below: Each of the aircraft operated by the 89th Airlift Wing’s 1st and 99th Airlift Squadrons share the ramp at Joint Base Andrews on June 20, 2016. Left to right, the aircraft include examples of the C-20B, C-40B, C-32A, C-37B, and C-37A. The wing’s C-20Bs were retired in 2017 USAF/SMSgt Kevin Wallace

Above: A Lakota LUH operated by the Maryland Army National Guard’s Company A(-), 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment arrives at St Mary’s County Regional Airport on July 22, 2020. This is one of four of the type operated by the unit from Weide Army Heliport. Mike Wilson Super Bowl, Boston Marathon, and other major public events, the aircraft conduct baseline surveys used to determine normal levels of radiation in the atmosphere. The aircraft comprise a pair of Beechcraft King Air B300 extended range aircraft (350ER) and a Bell 412HP that are assigned to the Remote Sensing Laboratory (RSL) at Joint Base Andrews.

Whereas the King Airs’ specialized equipment includes a modular gamma-ray detection system and a high-resolution spectrometer that provide real-time measurements of low levels of air/ground contamination, the 412HP carries pod-mounted radiation collection systems. The aircraft are key components of the Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST). Established as a separate agency within the DOE in 2000, the NNSA enhances national security and one of its core missions is to prevent, counter, and respond to nuclear and radiological events and terrorism threats and incidents worldwide. Its counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation and nuclear incident response programs enable it to respond to stolen or misplaced radioactive materials or nuclear weapons, improvised nuclear devices, or an accidental release of radiation that poses a threat to the public health and safety.

Andrews also supports a number of C-12C/D King Airs that are managed by the Air Force Material Command’s (AFMC) Air Force Security Assistance and Co-operation Directorate (AFSAC) on behalf of the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Headquartered nearby at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington DC, the DIA is responsible for nearly 20 King Airs that support US embassies worldwide and are fl own by air attachés assigned to the Embassy Defense Attaché Offi ce or the Defense Security Co-operation Agency.

The Air Force Reserve Command’s 459th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) ‘Liberators’ and its operations group is responsible for the 756th Air Refueling Squadron ‘Toothless Tigers’. Operating eight Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers, the squadron has been based at Andrews since 1954 and has

Above: Operating as ‘Air Force One’, C-32A (serial 09-0016) taxies at New Castle Airport, Delaware, after landing with President Obama and family aboard on June 6, 2015 USANG/TSgt Stephen Froeber Below: C-40B (serial 01-0041) departs from Joint Base Andrews on May 12, 2012. It is one of four modifi ed Boeing 737-700 BBJ series aircraft operated by 89th AW’s 1st AS James Nugent operated the KC-135R since transitioning from the Lockheed C-141B in October 2003. The wing operates from its own ramp area on the east side of the base.

One of two naval reserve squadrons that operate from the Naval Air Facility on the east ramp at Andrews, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 1 (VR-1), is known as the ‘Star Lifters’. The unit is tasked as the executive air transport squadron for the Department of the Navy, providing transportation for the Secretary of the Navy, senior Navy and Marine Corps leadership, DoD executives, congressional delegations and combatant commanders. Established in December 1997, the unit initially operated a pair of Gulfstream III business jets under the designation C-20D. Today the unit fl ies three C-37Bs. Based on the Gulfstream 550, its long-range capabilities permit the unit to fl y both domestic and international missions.

Reporting to the Commander Fleet Logistic Support Wing at NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas, VR-53 operates four Lockheed Martin C-130Ts from Andrews.

Known as the ‘Capital Express’, the unit supports the Navy Unique Fleet Essential Airlift (NUFEA) mission providing responsive intra-theater logistics support to US Navy Forces deployed worldwide. The unit has been stationed at Andrews since it was established in October 1993.

Although NAF Washington at one time supported an F/A-18A-equipped marine reserve fi ghter attack squadron, today the facility supports just three Cessna UC-35Ds operated by Marine Transport Squadron (VMR) Andrews. Assigned to the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing in Louisiana, the unit was established in 1966, but assumed its current designation in October 2004.

The Citation V Ultras have been deployed multiple times in support of Marine Forces Europe/Africa and Marine Forces Central Command. During normal stateside operations, the unit’s missions are usually assigned and scheduled by the Joint Operational Support Airlift Command (JOSAC) at Scott AFB, Illinois.

The US Coast Guard plans to establish a permanent facility at Andrews that will be home to the US Coast Guard Helicopter Aerial Intercept Wing (HAIW)

One of the USAF’s seven new C-37Bs (serial 20-1941) is operated by 89th Airlift Wing’s 1st Airlift Squadron and was delivered on November 3, 2021. The jet’s tail number honors the year the Tuskegee Airmen were founded USAF

ALL THE PRESIDENT’S AIRMEN

Known as ‘President’s Wing’, the 89th Airlift Wing (AW) reports to the Air Mobility Command (AMC) as a component of the 18th Air Force and conducts special air missions using the callsign ‘Sam Fox’. It is tasked with providing worldwide transportation for senior government and military personnel and international VIPs and foreign military leaders while traveling in the US. Although the 89th AW is considered a tenant unit at Andrews, the 89th Operations Group (OG) is responsible for airfi eld operations.

Reporting to the 89th OG, the 1st Airlift Squadron (AS) is responsible for the twin-engine Boeing C-32A and C-40B. Deliveries beginning in June 1998 and December 2002, respectively, the aircraft are based on the Boeing 757-200ER airliner and Boeing 737-700. Both are equipped with specialized systems and unique VIP cabin confi gurations that permit the C-32A to carry up to 45 passengers and 16 crew, and the C-40B up to 32 passengers and 11 crew. The squadron’s inventory includes four C-32As and four C-40Bs. The C-32As are normally tasked to transport the vice-president, cabinet members and members of Congress traveling on government business and feature a communications center, a fully enclosed stateroom, conference and staff facility, as well as seating for 32 passengers in business-class seats. The squadron is also responsible for several additional 757-200 models that were acquired from commercial sources in 2010, but are not formally carried on the Air Force inventory. Capable of intercontinental range, the C-40Bs are often tasked as support aircraft for unifi ed combatant commanders.

Also assigned to the 89th OG, the 99th AS is responsible for the smaller C-37A/B business jets that support worldwide special airlift missions for high-ranking government and DoD personnel. The two variants are based on Gulfstream V and Gulfstream 550 business jets built by Gulfstream Aerospace.

It’s inventory currently includes fi ve C-37As and seven C-37Bs. The most recent deliveries to the squadron occurred in November 2021 and February 2022. The two variants are fl own by a crew of fi ve and can carry up to 12 passengers. Arguably, the most recognizable aircraft in the world, a pair of heavily modifi ed Boeing 747-200B series airliners are assigned to the 89th AW’s Presidential Airlift Group (PAG) and operated by the Presidential Airlift Squadron. Technically, the PAG reports to the White House Military Offi ce. The twin jumbo jets are assigned the designation VC-25A and, when transporting the President of the United States, are assigned the callsign ‘Air Force One’ – that callsign is assigned to any USAF aircraft that carries the President.

The jets have served in that role since the fi rst VC-25A fl ew its initial presidential airlift mission on September 6, 1990.

Operating from a secure facility within the base, the specially confi gured 747s can carry up to 71 passengers and a crew of 30. The aircraft have an unrefueled range of 6,800nm, but are capable of being refueled in-fl ight meaning their range is unlimited.

The VC-25As will be replaced by two Boeing 747-800 series that will be assigned the designation VC-25B and will enter service some time in 2026.

and will support the NCR Rotary Wing Air Intercept (RWAI) mission. That mission is currently supported with MH-65D helicopters rotated from Air Station Atlantic City, New Jersey, and crews detached from other units on temporary duty. Establishing a permanent aircraft mission support facility for the US Northern Command NCR RWAI mission will allow the aircraft and crews to be permanently relocated to the NCR. The RWAI mission will continue to be conducted from the NCR Air Defense Facility (NCRADF) at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. The new aircraft mission support facility will be located in Hangar 14 once renovations are completed and up to eight MH-65s will be assigned to the USCG HAIW, when it is established.

Baltimore

Martin State Airport is a joint civil-military public use facility located around 12 miles from downtown Baltimore in its Middle River suburb. It was the original site of the Glenn L Martin Aircraft Company factory that opened in 1929 and last produced the B-57 Canberra bomber for the USAF. The State of Maryland acquired nearly 750 acres that are operated by the Maryland Aviation Administration on behalf of the state’s Department of Transportation. The Maryland Air National Guard has operated from the airport since 1957. Today, the Warfi eld Air National Guard Base is located on the northern edge of the facility and is home to the 175th Wing. Reporting to the 175th OG, the 104th Fighter Squadron has operated the Fairchild Republic A-10 since receiving the fi rst Thunderbolt IIs in 1979. It was the fi rst operational unit to fi eld the A-10C and its complement currently includes 21 aircraft. Between May 5 and June 1, 2022, ten A-10Cs operated by the ‘Fighting Orioles’ were deployed to Europe to support training eff orts.

Aberdeen

The US Army Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) is a large facility, located along the northern end of the Chesapeake Bay around 23 miles north of Baltimore in northeastern Maryland. The installation lies on two peninsulas that are separated by the Bush River.

Established in October 1917, it is one of the nation’s most important research and development, testing and evaluation facilities for military weapons and equipment. The APG is the DoD’s Center for Excellence for land combat systems, vehicles, soldier systems and chemical and biological defense. It is home to numerous US Army Commands and two aviation facilities.

Fixed-wing operations are carried out from Phillips Army Airfi eld on the northern Aberdeen Area. Opened in 1943, it is named for 1st Lieutenant Wendell K Phillips, who was killed in an aircraft accident at Aberdeen in 1923. Operated by the Aberdeen Test Center (ATC), the airfi eld is home to the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Analytical & Remediation Activity (CARA) Aviation Section.

The unit operates a single Beechcraft 1900D regional airliner under the designation C-12J-2, along with a pair of Airbus Helicopters UH-72A Lakotas.

Reporting to the 20th CBRNE Command, as part of the US Army Forces Command, the CARA Aviation Section provides air movement of personnel, and transports chemical materials, recovered chemical warfare material and biological select agents and toxins for mission and investigation purposes. Additionally, it supports the DoD and other governmental agencies by transporting suspect items of evidence needed for various federal investigations.

Phillips also supports the Maryland Army National Guard, which operates a single

Above: This C-40C is one of two 737-7CP BBJs, that were operated by the Ford Motor Company before being acquired by the USAF and delivered to the 113th Wing’s 201st Airlift Squadron. C-40C (serial 02-0201) performs a touch-and-go landing at Atlantic City International Airport, New Jersey, on April 16, 2013 US Air National Guard/TSgt Matt Hecht

Below: VC-25A (serial 92-9000) departs from Andrews AFB on March 11, 2006. The modifi ed Boeing 747-200B is one of two operated by the Presidential Airlift Squadron Joseph G Handleman

C-12V from the airfield. The King Air is assigned to the Detachment 2, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 641st Aviation Regiment, which is also known as Operational Support Airlift Command (OSACOM) Detachment 13. Organized around individual state flight detachments, the main body of the company is headquartered in Alaska, and the 2nd Battalion is in Salem, Oregon. Serving in the theater aviation role, it provides transportation for priority passengers and cargo within and outside the continental US (CONUS) in support of the Operational Support Airlift Agency (OSAA), combatant commands and Army service component commands.

Located within the APG’s southern Edgewood area, the Weide Army Heliport (AHP) is operated by Maryland Army National Guard and supports the state’s only Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) and its rotary wing fleet. Known as the Baxter Flight Facility it supports the operations of four flying units.

Reporting to the 29th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade (ECAB), which is also headquartered at the facility, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment operates ten UH-60Ls in the assault helicopter role. The battalion headquarters is in Richmond, Virginia. Company C(-), 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment currently operates the UH-60A/L in the air ambulance role and reports to the battalion headquarters in Connecticut. Company C is also responsible for detachments in Oklahoma and Virginia. Company B(-), 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment operates six Boeing CH-47F Chinooks in the heavy helicopter role. Company A(-), 1st Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment operates four UH-72As in the security and surveillance role. The unit’s four Lakota light utility helicopters are equipped to support a variety of missions including counter-drug operations and domestic emergencies. Although the company is responsible for detachments assigned to the District of Columbia and New York ARNG, the battalion headquarters are co-located at Weide AHP.

Above: Assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command, the 459th Air Refueling Wing’s 756th Air Refueling Squadron operates eight KC-135Rs from Joint Base Andrews USAF/TSgt Michael Marra

Below: Known as the ‘Capital Guardians’, the District of Columbia Air National Guard’s 113th Wing is based at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Operated by the 113th Wing’s 121st Fighter Squadron, F-16C (serial 86-0332) touches down at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, on July 9, 2021. While deployed as the 121st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, the unit was assigned to the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing USAF/SrA Samuel Earick

Pax River

Located alongside the Chesapeake Bay in Lexington Park, Maryland, Naval Air Station Patuxent River supports the development, test and evaluation (DT&E) of new and deployed naval aircraft and weapon systems. Commissioned on April 1, 1943, the air station has been home to the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) since it was relocated from Arlington, Virginia,

GUARDING WASHINGTON

Known as the ‘Capital Guardians’, the District of Columbia Air National Guard’s 113th Wing is responsible for two squadrons that are based at Andrews and report to the 113th Operations Group (OG). Gained by Air Combat Command (ACC), the 121st Fighter Squadron (FS) has flown the Block 30 variant of the F-16C/D since 1994 and conducted its most recent deployment in July 2021, when it sent fighters to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia.

Since 2001, the 121st has been responsible for the 113th Wing’s Aerospace Control Alert (ACA) Detachment and maintains fully armed F-16Cs ready to launch and defend the National Capital Region (NCR) on a 24/7 basis.

It is the most active ACA site in the nation and typically scrambles its fighters once each day in response to potential threats. Reporting to ACC’s First Air Force, the jets are part of a multi-layered air defense system that protects the nation’s capital. Since it was established, the detachment has conducted well over 6,000 scrambles. The squadron’s F-16Cs were the first to be updated with the AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

The 121st FS shares its fighters with active-duty USAF personnel assigned to the 53rd FS under the USAF’s Total Force Integration initiative, which partners active-duty airmen with US National Guard units for training and staffing.

Activated on December 10, 2021, the active associate squadron reports to the 495th Fighter Group at Shaw AFB, South Carolina.

The 201st Airlift Squadron is an AMC-gained unit that provides short notice worldwide transportation for the executive branch, Congressional members, defense department officials and high-ranking US and foreign dignitaries. Additionally, it provides air transportation support for Air Force unit deployments, and inspection teams.

The squadron operates three C-40C versions of the B737-700BBJ that were all acquired from commercial sources. The aircraft are equipped with reconfigurable cabins that permit them to carry up to 111 passengers. Two commercially configured aircraft were delivered to the 201st AS in September 2002, while a third C-40C was delivered with a militarized configuration in August 2004.

beginning in 1991. The command is responsible for all research, development, procurement, test and evaluation relating to naval aviation. Reporting to NAVAIR, the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) is also headquartered at ‘Pax River’.

Encompassing around 7,800 acres, NAS Patuxent River and Trapnell Field supports ten runways, including four at the nearby Webster Outlying Field (OLF) complex, and is home to more than 50 tenant activities. The facility has access to approximately 50,000sq miles (80,467sq km) of airspace for test operations including 5,000sq miles (8,047sq km) of controlled and 780sq miles (1,255sq km) of restricted airspace.

Reporting to NAWCAD, the Naval Test Wing Atlantic (NTWL) is responsible for four air test and evaluation squadrons and the US Naval Test Pilot School (for more see p36-43). The Wing conducts DT&E and engineering for new aircraft, engines, avionics, and aircraft support equipment destined for service with the US Navy and Marine Corps and test and evaluation (T&E) in support of mature programs. The wing is responsible for conducting fl ight and ground tests that confi rm an aircraft or weapon system’s airworthiness and ability to carry out its missions. NAWCAD also supports contractor tests and those for international customers and allies. Testing includes carrier and shipboard suitability, propulsion and aircraft mission systems testing, ordnance compatibility and ballistics eff orts, reliability and maintainability assessments, fl ight simulation, and fl ight control software development.

Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 20 (VX-20) ‘Force’ conducts testing associated with each of the battle group support missions including airborne early warning (AEW), carrier onboard delivery (COD), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), electronic warfare (EW), airborne surveillance and signals intelligence, and strategic airborne communications. Since these systems are carried by land and carrier-based aircraft, ‘Force’ also conducts carrier suitability testing and is responsible for the airlift, tanker, and operational support aircraft. In addition to operating the largest aircraft in the naval inventory, VX-20 is responsible for testing primary and intermediate training aircraft.

Its inventory of more than 25 aircraft currently includes the Northrop Grumman E-2C/D and MQ-4C, Boeing E-6B and P-8A, Lockheed Martin KC-130J and KC130T, Beechcraft UC-12M and T-6A, and Gulfstream C-38A Courier. Based on the IAI Astra corporate jet, the latter aircraft were operated by the District of Columbia Air National Guard prior to their transfer to VX-20. The squadron is also supporting

VR-53 has been based at Andrews since it was established in October 1993. C-130T (BuNo 164995) is one of four Hercules airlifters operated by the ‘Capital Express’ James Nugent Above: The Department of Energy is one of several tenants that operate from Joint Base Andrews. Bell 412HP (registration N412DE) from the DOE’s Nuclear Security Administration (NSA) arrives at St Mary’s County Regional Airport on August 25, 2021. The National NSA’s nuclear incident response aircraft include two Beechcraft King Airs and a single Bell 412 that are based at Andrews Mike Wilson

Left: MV-22B (BuNo 165443) from HX-21 conducts a test fl ight over Chesapeake Bay. The ‘Blackjacks’ conduct test and evaluation of all naval rotary-wing aircraft and the Osprey tiltrotor Ted Carlson

testing of the US Coast Guard’s HC-27J Spartan, which is undergoing missionization at ‘Pax River’. Nicknamed ‘Blackjack’, HX-21 conducts DT&E of rotary-wing and tiltrotor aircraft and their associated airborne sensors and weapons systems for the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The squadron operates more than 40 aircraft in 11 diff erent types/models/series. This varied inventory includes the Bell UH-1Y, AH-1Z and TH-57C, Bell-Boeing MV-22B and CMV-22B, and the Sikorsky NSH-60F, MH-60R/S, CH-53E/K and VH-92A. Testing of the VH-92A is conducted by the Presidential Helicopter Test Team.

The squadron is also responsible for NAS Patuxent River’s Search and Rescue (SAR) division, which operates several MH-60S Knighthawks.

As NAVAIR’s largest test organization, VX-23 conducts DT&E for tactical aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems, and weapons. Diff erent types/models/series of fi xed-wing strike, electronic attack, and strike training aircraft include the Boeing F/A-18B/C/D Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, T-45C Goshawk, and Lockheed Martin F-35B/C Lightning II, it will also operate Boeing’s unmanned MQ-25A Stingray when fl ight testing gets under way at ‘Pax River’.

VX-23 evaluates aircraft fl ying qualities and performance, assesses shipboard suitability, tests propulsion systems, conducts tactical aircraft mission system testing, assesses ordnance compatibility and ballistic characteristics, performs fl ight fi delity simulation, and ensures that fi ght control software is fully developed.

VX-23 also operates and maintains NAWCAD’s TC-7 catapult and Mk 7 arresting gear test sites at NAS Patuxent River. Additionally, the squadron is responsible for certifying aircraft carrier and amphibious assault ship fi ght decks, and precision approach landing systems.

Referred to simply as ‘TPS’, the US Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS), has been training test pilots and engineers since March 1945, when the Flight Test

Above: VX-20 ‘Force’ operates several P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, including BuNo 167954, which delivered an inert Mk 54 torpedo during testing in February 2012 US Navy/ Greg L Davis Left: VR-1 ‘Star Lifters’ operates three Gulfstream 550-based C-37Bs, including BuNo 166376 from Naval Air Facility Washington aboard Joint Base Andrews. The base is host to Gulfstreams operated by the USAF, US Army and US Navy. Ted Carlson Below: A-10C (serial 78-0633) of 175th Wing’s 104th FS departs Nellis, Nevada, for a Green Flag-West 22-02 mission on November 8, 2021. The ‘Warthog’ wears the Maryland ANG’s 100th anniversary colors USAF/William R Lewis

Flight testing is conducted at several sites managed by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. E-2D (BuNo 168077) catches the wire of the Advanced Arresting Gear at the Runway Arrested Landing Site Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey US Navy

Pilots’ Training Program inducted its fi rst class of 14 pilots and engineers. Since then, the courses provided by TPS and its organizational structure have continually been revised ensuring the school can accommodate new technology and more sophisticated aircraft. The curriculum prepares students to meet the requirements of the US Navy DT&E and operational test and evaluation (OT&E) organizations or the research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) activities within the other US or foreign military services. The fi xed and rotary-wing programs prepare pilots, naval fl ight offi cers (NFOs) and engineers to evaluate aircraft performance and fl ying qualities and include instruction in airborne mission systems testing. The airborne systems program is a comprehensive course covering airborne mission system test and evaluation for NFOs and engineers and includes instruction in aircraft performance and fl ying qualities. In addition to the normal 48-week programs, TPS off ers several short courses. The school’s 160th Class graduated in March 2022 and included 30 engineering test pilots, engineering test fl ight offi cers and test project engineers.

Although based at ‘Pax River’, the VX-1 ‘Pioneers’ report operationally to the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation Force and administratively to the Commander, Patrol Reconnaissance Group Atlantic (COMPATRECONGRULANT). Both commands are located at Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads, Virginia. The squadron conducts OT&E and investigations of antisubmarine warfare aircraft systems, weapons systems, airborne strategic weapons system, support systems, equipment, and materials in an operational environment.

VX-1 is tasked with testing and evaluating a variety of naval aircraft including MH-60R/S helicopters, KC-130J, E-2D, E-6B, P-8A fi xed-wing aircraft, and unmanned MQ-4C, MQ-8B/C and the MQ-25A Carrier-Based Aerial-Refueling System (CBARS). Its inventory currently includes the MH-60R/S, E-2D, P-3C and P-8A.

Known as the Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) Flight Support Detachment until established in December 2004, Scientifi c Development

Above: NP-3C (BuNo 158570) is one of two Orions operated by VXS-1 from NAS Patuxent River. The ‘Warlocks’ also have single examples of the RC-12M and UV-18A assigned James Nugent Left: An F-35C receives fuel from an F/A-18F over the Atlantic Ocean near NAS Patuxent River during an Advanced Aerial Refueling Control Law test. The Lightning II and Super Hornet were both operated by VX-23 US Navy

Below: Normally based at the Aberdeen Proving Ground’s Weide Army Heliport, a Chinook heavy-lift helicopter operated by the Maryland Army National Guard’s Company B(-), 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, arrives at St Mary’s County Regional Airport during a training fl ight on August 8, 2021 Mike Wilson

T-45C (BuNo 163635) of VX-23 makes its fi nal approach to land on aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford (CVN-78) on January 20, 2020. The Goshawk was supporting aircraft compatibility testing of the ship’s Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch Systems (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) US Navy/MC3 Connor Loessin

Squadron 1 (VXS-1) conducts airborne scientific experimentation and advanced technology development in worldwide operations supporting US Navy and national science and technology priorities and warfighting goals. The ‘Warlocks’ operate a pair of NP-3C Orions, and single examples of the Beechcraft RC-12M and de Havilland Canada UV-18A Twin Otter as research platforms in direct support of the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and NRL airborne research projects. The squadron acquired the Twin Otter in 2019. VXS-1 also operates 12 NASC RQ-23A TigerShark unmanned aircraft systems.

Operating from Naval Outlying Field Webster Field in nearby St Inigoes, UX-24 is the US Navy’s only dedicated unmanned aircraft system test unit. Reporting to the NTWL, it provides RDTE&E services for systems that include the Boeing Insitu RQ-21A Blackjack, Aeronautics RQ-26A Aerostar and Northrop Grumman MQ-8B/C Fire Scout. Located 15 miles south of NAS Patuxent River, near the mouth of the Potomac River, the Webster Field Annex covers around 1,000 acres. The facility is also home to the Maryland Army National Guard’s Detachment 1 Company D, 278th Brigade Engineer Battalion, operating the unmanned Textron Systems RQ-7V2 Shadow from a purpose-built tactical unmanned aircraft system operation building that opened in May 2015.

An UH-60L of Maryland ARNG’s Company C, 1st Battalion 169th Aviation Regiment, operates near Weide Army Heliport, conducting training with instructors from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on February 6, 2015 Maryland NG/SSgt Michael Davis Jr

MARYLAND STATE REPORT

Location Command Unit Aircraft Tail Code Notes

Joint Base Andrews – Naval Air Facility Washington 316th Wing / Operations Group 1st HS UH-1N 89th Airlift Wing / Operations Group 1st AS ‘Sam Fox” C-32A, C-40B 99th AS C-37A/B 89th Airlift Wing / Presidential Airlift Group Presidential Airlift Squadron VC-25A 113th Wing / Operations Group 121st FS ‘Capital Guardians’ F-16C/D (Blk 30) DC 201st AS C-40C {1}

AFMC/AFSAC C-12C/D, {2}

20th/ 495th Fighter Group 459th Air Refueling Wing / Operations Group 53rd FS ‘Tigers’

756th ARS ‘Tigers’

4th Marine Aircraft Wing VMR Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington VR-1 ‘Star Lifters’ Commander, Fleet Logistic Support Wing VR-53 ‘Capital Express’ F-16C/D (Blk 30) DC {3}

KC-135R {4}

UC-35D VM C-37B (JK) C-130T AX

US Army Priority Air Transport Command A/USAPAT UC-35B, C-37A/B US Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration Bell 412HP, King Air B300 Martin State Airport/Warfield ANGB, Baltimore 175th Wing / Operations Group 104th FS ’Fighting Orioles’ A-10C MD Aberdeen Proving Ground – Phillips Army Airfield Maryland National Guard Det. 2 C/2-641st AVN/ OSACOM Det. 13 C-12U CBRNE Analytical & Remediation Activity CARA Aviation Section C-12J (B1900D), UH-72A(CARA) Aberdeen Proving Ground – Weide Army Heliport AASF Maryland Army National Guard C/2-224th AVN (ASLT) UH-60L B(-)/3-126th AVN (HH) CH-47F A(-)/1-224th AVN (S&S) UH-72A C(-)/1-169th AVN (AA) UH-60A+/L Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Lexington Park Naval Research Laboratory VXS-1 ‘Warlocks’ NP-3C, RC-12M, UV-18A RL Director, Operational Test & Evaluation Force MH-60R/S, E-2D, P-3C, VX-1 ‘Pioneers JA {5}/ Aviation Warfare Division P-8A

Commander, Naval Test Wing Atlantic VX-20 ‘Force’

HX-21 ‘Blackjack’ KC-130T/J, E-2C/D, E-6B, T-6A, UC-12M, C-38A, MQ-4C, P-8A UH-1Y, AH-1Z, TH-57C, MV-22B, CMV-22B, NSH60F, MH-60R/S, CH-53E/K, VH-92A HX

VX-23 ‘Strike’ & ‘Salty Dogs’

US Naval Test Pilot School ‘TPS’

Commander, Strategic Communications Wing One (COMSTRATCOMWING ONE) VQ-4 Det.Patuxent ‘Shadows’

Naval Outlying Field Webster Field, St. Inigoes F/A-18B/C/D/E/F, NF/A-18C/D, T-45C, NEA/ EA-18G, F-35B/C C-12C, F/A-18F, T-6B, T-38C, NU-1B, U-6A, OH58C, UH-60A+/L, X-26A, UH-72A, C-26A

E-6B

Commander, Naval Test Wing Atlantic UX-24 ‘Ghost Riders’ RQ-21A, RQ-26A, MQ8B/C

29th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade (ECAB) Det. 1 Company D, 278th BEB RQ-7BV2

Notes: {1} AMC-gained unit {2} Aircraft support Headquarters Defense Intelligence Agency {3} Active associate squadron share responsibilities with the Air National Guard’s 121st Fighter Squadron {4} Wing is Air Force Reserve Command gained. SD