Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling

Branch: U.S. Air Force (Lead Service); U.S. Navy (co-located)
Location: Washington, D.C.
Installation Type: Joint Base
Status: Active

Overview

Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) was established in 2010 under the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) directive, merging the former Naval Station Anacostia (established 1918) and Bolling Air Force Base (established 1917) into a single installation under Air Force management. Located at the confluence of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers in southeast Washington, D.C., JBAB is one of the most strategically positioned military installations in the United States, providing direct support to the National Capital Region and hosting dozens of high-level commands, agencies, and the Defense Intelligence Agency. The Air Force serves as the lead component, while the Navy maintains a significant presence with its own facilities and commands.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Provide installation support, administrative infrastructure, and operational facilities for senior Department of Defense, Air Force, and Navy commands and agencies located in the National Capital Region.
Major Units:
11th Wing (USAF) — host wing and installation commander
11th Operations Group
11th Mission Support Group
11th Medical Group
Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) — headquarters
Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR) — Army National Guard
Naval Support Facility Anacostia (Navy component)
Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) — National Maritime Intelligence Center
Air Force District of Washington (AFDW)
U.S. Air Force Band
U.S. Air Force Honor Guard
Tenant Units:
Washington Navy Yard (adjacent/administratively linked)
Multiple DoD intelligence and security agencies
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) elements
Various interagency organizations (details not fully publicly disclosed)

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Washington, D.C. — the installation is located within the District; approximately 4 miles from the U.S. Capitol
Nearest Commercial Airport: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) — approximately 5 miles south; Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) — approximately 28 miles west
Gate Access: Multiple access points; primary gate on Firth Sterling Avenue SE. Valid CAC or military ID required for access. Visitor passes issued at the visitor control center with advance coordination required; RealID-compliant identification required. Access procedures are heightened due to the National Capital Region security environment. Vehicle inspections routinely conducted.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 5,000-6,000 (Air Force and Navy combined)
Family Members: Approximately 4,000-6,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 14,000-17,000 (including DIA and other agency civilians)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 25,000-30,000 (one of the highest civilian-to-military ratios of any installation)

Key Facilities

Medical: 11th Medical Group — primary care, dental, and preventive services; referrals to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (Bethesda) or Fort Belvoir Community Hospital for specialty and inpatient care
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary on base; additional access to Fort Myer/Henderson Hall and Fort Belvoir commissaries nearby
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Base Exchange (BX) and Navy Exchange (NEX) facilities; Pentagon City and Fort Myer BX within reasonable distance
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers on both the Bolling and Anacostia sides; outdoor recreation areas, tennis courts, running trails along the Potomac/Anacostia riverfronts; MWR programming
Schools: DoDEA schools are not located on JBAB; families are served by D.C. Public Schools or may access schools in Maryland/Virginia suburbs; many military families opt for private schools or suburban school districts
Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) on base — high demand due to the large population; waitlists are common; Family Child Care (FCC) network and School Age Program available
Veterinary Services: JBAB Veterinary Treatment Facility — routine wellness, vaccinations, and preventive care for active duty family pets and military working dogs; referrals to Fort Belvoir or Fort Myer for additional services
Legal Assistance / JAG: 11th Wing Judge Advocate office — legal assistance by appointment; walk-in services for powers of attorney and notary; additional JAG resources available at the Pentagon and nearby installations

Housing

On-Base Housing: Managed by Balfour Beatty Communities — limited family housing units on base given the urban D.C. setting; officer quarters and some enlisted housing available; competition is high
Average Wait Time: On-base housing is very limited; most families live off-base; wait times for available units can be extensive
Off-Base Housing: National Capital Region housing market is expensive; popular communities include Alexandria, VA; Arlington, VA; Oxon Hill, MD; Suitland, MD; and Capitol Hill area of D.C. Average rent for a 3-bedroom ranges from approximately $2,500-$4,000+/month depending on location and proximity to metro; BAH reflects the high-cost area
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Request a sponsor through the gaining unit’s orderly room or first sergeant; given the large number of tenant organizations, coordinate directly with the gaining command’s administrative office
In-Processing: Report to the 11th Wing in-processing center on the Bolling side; in-processing coordination may differ by command; allow 3-5 days; many senior-level organizations have their own additional in-processing requirements
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Managed through the 11th Medical Group and A&FRC; enrollment required before PCS orders are finalized; D.C. metro area offers extensive special needs resources and medical facilities; contact EFMP coordinator at the medical group

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical with four distinct seasons — hot, humid summers (90s F), cold winters with occasional snow and ice, beautiful springs and falls; cherry blossoms in spring are a D.C. trademark
Cost of Living: High relative to the national average — one of the most expensive metros in the U.S.; BAH is set accordingly; commuting, childcare, and dining costs are substantially higher than most other duty stations
Nearby Attractions: National Mall and Smithsonian museums (free admission), monuments and memorials, National Zoo, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Old Town Alexandria (VA), Chesapeake Bay (approximately 2 hours), Shenandoah National Park (approximately 1.5 hours), professional sports teams (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS)
Spouse Employment: Excellent employment market — federal government, government contracting, nonprofits, international organizations, healthcare, and tech sectors all offer strong opportunities in the D.C. metro; Metro rail provides access throughout the region without a car

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.jba.af.mil/
Main Installation Phone: (202) 767-1110
MWR Website: https://www.jbabmwr.com/
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) — Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling; (202) 767-4058; Fleet and Family Support Center available for Navy personnel

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: jba.af.mil, militaryinstallations.dod.mil, dia.mil, mybaseguide.com/jbab, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law