Naval Air Station Patuxent River

X-47B takes flight - The X-47B flies over the NAS Patuxent River complex during its first East Coast flight, July 29.

F-35 test milestone: The F-35 Lightning II continues to accomplish significant test milestones such as this one when it successfully released an inert separation weapon

High in the sky: An F-18 silhouetted against the clouds above NAS Patuxent River.

Flying High Over the Chesapeake Bay - With NAS Patuxent River fading into the distance, a test pilot flies out over the Chesapeake Bay on a test run

NAS Patuxent River Search and Rescue over the Thomas Johnson Bridge

CAPT Ben Shevchuk, right, assumes command of the naval air station April 4, 2013.

Welcome to Naval Air Station Patuxent River

Where the future of Naval Aviation begins

Installation Information

In beautiful St. Mary’s County, Md., Naval Air Station Patuxent River overlooks the picturesque Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay. Approximately 90 miles north of the fleet at Norfolk, Va., the station — known as “Pax River” — was commissioned in April 1943 and has since evolved into the center of excellence for naval aviation.

With the consolidation, integration and collocation that has occurred since the 1990s, Pax River now hosts the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD); both of which provide the full spectrum of acquisition management, research and development capabilities, air and ground test and evaluation, aircraft logistics and maintenance management. This distinctive synergy supports land-based and maritime aircraft and engineering, test, evaluation, integration, and life cycle support for ship/shore electronics. These combined capabilities are unique within the Department of Defense, ensuring Pax River’s status as an aviation leader effectively working to continue progress into the 21st century.

The naval air station complex includes Webster Outlying Field, Naval Recreation Center Solomons and Bloodsworth Island Range, and provides office space for the NAVAIR, NAWCAD and more than 50 tenant activities. Pax River’s mission is to maintain and operate facilities, and provide services and materials to support operations of NAVAIR, NAWCAD, and other activities and units as designated by appropriate authority.