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57-477: It is home to Headquarters, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School , the Atlantic Test Range , Patuxent River Naval Air Museum , and serves as a center for test and evaluation and systems acquisition relating to naval aviation . The station also operates a small outlying field , NOLF Webster . Commissioned on April 1, 1943, on land largely acquired through eminent domain ,

114-452: A family was $ 89,385. Males had a median income of $ 61,971 versus $ 46,487 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 34,000. About 4.7% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 9.1% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over. As of 2010, there were 105,000 people in St. Mary's County, up from 84,000 in the year 2000. families residing in

171-622: A few clusters of vacation homes. The Cedar Point community included several churches, a post office, and a gas station. Some of the old homes now serve as quarters for Navy personnel stationed there. In 1937, the Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics sought to consolidate aviation test programs, previously being conducted at several stations, including Dahlgren and Norfolk , the Washington Navy Yard , Naval Air Station Anacostia in Washington, D.C. , and

228-404: A household in the county was $ 54,706, and the median income for a family was $ 61,397. Males had a median income of $ 27,496 versus $ 23,035 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 22,662. 7.20% of the population and 5.20% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 28.40% are under the age of 18 and 19.10% are 65 or older. St. Mary's County

285-533: A living reminder of that debt." Since the end of the Cold War , the Pentagon 's Base Realignment and Closure measures have migrated research and testing facilities for both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft to NAS Patuxent River from decommissioned bases. The complex now hosts over 17,000 people, including active-duty service members, civil-service employees, defense contractor employees, and military dependents . The base

342-494: A new, large-size child development center was completed. In September 2014, Captain Heidi Fleming became the first female commanding officer of NAS Patuxent River, where she served until 2016. For the future, the researchers are looking in the direction of unmanned flight. Naval Air Systems Command The Naval Air Systems Command ( NAVAIR ) provides materiel support for aircraft and airborne weapon systems for

399-647: A reconstructed Colonial town, living history actors, and a replica of the Maryland Dove . St. Mary's County has some of the oldest extant buildings in English North America. Many of these properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places . These buildings range through many historical periods, from the 1600s to the 1800s. There are notable buildings of the early twentieth century, as well. The United States Colored Troops Memorial Statue

456-404: A separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race. As of the 2010 United States Census , there were 105,151 people, 37,604 households, and 27,084 families residing in the county. The population density was 294.4 inhabitants per square mile (113.7/km ). There were 41,282 housing units at an average density of 115.6 per square mile (44.6/km ). The racial makeup of the county

513-550: A time when the British colonies were settled primarily by Protestants. The county is home to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and St. Mary's College of Maryland . Traditionally, St. Mary's County has been known for its unique and historic culture of Chesapeake Bay tidewater farming, fishing, and crabbing communities. But with the advent of the military bases, growth of an extensive defense contractor presence, and

570-664: A tiny exclave on the other side of the Potomac river due to the Maryland-Virginia border cutting through a beach near the little wicomico river. The interior of much of the county is hilly to varying degrees, with forests and agricultural fields. There also are coastal plain areas, much of which are under agriculture or under new development. Residential development has been increasing steadily for decades. The county's very extensive waters are mostly brackish , ranging from significant degrees of saltwater in tidal areas that are on or near

627-457: A year of construction. Employing some 7,000 at its peak of construction, the area had a Gold Rush "boom town" feel as local residents were joined by workers from all over the country, eager to get on the high-paying jobs on station. On 20 October 1942, U.S. Marines first arrived and took over security. Today, the station utilizes Navy Masters-At-Arms (MA) and Navy Civilian Police Department of Defense Police for standard local law enforcement and

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684-617: Is Vice Admiral Carl P. Chebi , USN. The vice commander is Captain Todd M. Evans, USN. The deputy commander is Mr. Theodore J. Short Jr., SES. The Command Master Chief is CMDCM Todd A. Anselm, USN. NAVAIR's mission is to provide full life-cycle support of naval aviation aircraft, weapons and systems operated by Sailors and Marines. This support includes research, design, development and systems engineering, acquisition, test and evaluation, training facilities and equipment, repair and modification, and in-service engineering and logistics support. NAVAIR

741-621: Is a memorial to the more than 700 African-American soldiers and sailors from St. Mary's County who served among the Union forces during the American Civil War. The memorial site includes an educational display and special celebrations are held there each year. In presidential elections, St. Mary's County leans strongly toward the Republican Party. No Democrat has won the county since Jimmy Carter did so in 1976. In 2020, Donald Trump received

798-824: Is also an Old Order Mennonite community in the county that stretches as far south as Loveville . In recent years, increasing development has threatened the Amish community. The county has three naval bases: Numerous state highways serve St. Mary's County, including: Limited local buses are provided through St. Mary's Transit and commuter bus service to Washington, D.C. is provided by MTA . Southern Maryland Express shuttle services daily schedules to Baltimore (BWI), Dulles (IAD), and Ronald Reagan (DCA). The nearest commercial airports are Reagan National Airport in Arlington County, Virginia and Baltimore Washington International Airport in suburban Baltimore. St. Mary's County also

855-531: Is home to an Amish community in the Mechanicsville area in the northern part of the county that consists of eight church districts and about 1,000 people. The Amish first came to the area in 1940 after some members left the Amish community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania over a conflict with schooling. The Amish in St. Mary's County maintain dairy and produce farms along with small Amish businesses. There

912-554: Is organized into eight "competencies" or communities of practice namely: program management, contracts, research and engineering, test and evaluation, logistics and industrial operations, corporate operations, comptroller and counsel. The competency alignment of the organization is changing to "mission alignment." NAVAIR provides support (through people, processes, tools, training, mission facilities, and core technologies) to Naval Aviation Program Executive Officers (PEOs) and their assigned program managers, who are responsible for meeting

969-601: Is served by a general aviation airport, Captain Walter Duke Regional Airport near California, Maryland The Census Bureau recognizes the following census-designated places in the county: Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter wrote a song about St. Mary's County, entitled, "Down in Mary's Land", in 1989 She is known for having great affection for St. Mary's County. An expansion pack for

1026-523: Is the site of the first Maryland Capitol and remained so for more than 50 years, until 1695, when the state capital was moved to Annapolis. Today Historic St. Mary's City is a major attraction in Maryland with four museums, a reconstructed colonial village, and the reconstructed Maryland Dove settlers ship. It also has become one of the top archeological research sites in North America. St. Mary's County

1083-704: The Battle of the Coral Sea on 8 May 1942. The town's expansion had begun. The station was commissioned "U.S. Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland" on 1 April 1943. In a ceremony presided over by RADM John S. McCain, Sr. , then chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics , Patuxent River was referred to as "the most needed station in the Navy." The unofficial name had been Cedar Point or the Naval Air Station at Cedar Point , but officials were concerned about possible confusion with

1140-616: The California - Lexington Park , Maryland Metropolitan Statistical Area , which also is included in the Washington - Baltimore - Arlington , DC-MD- VA - WV - PA Combined Statistical Area . It is part of the Southern Maryland region. The county was the home to the first Maryland Colony, and the first capital of the Colony of Maryland . Settled by English Catholics, it is considered to be the birthplace of religious freedom in North America, at

1197-554: The Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) and supported by the OPNAV Director, Naval Air Warfare. U.S. Armed Forces systems commands Saint Mary%27s County St. Mary's County , established in 1637, is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland . As of the 2020 census , the population was 113,777. Its county seat is Leonardtown . The name is in honor of Mary , the mother of Jesus . St. Mary's County comprises

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1254-627: The Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point , North Carolina , so the new facility was named for the adjacent river. In 1945 the Test Pilot School was established with the Navy's Flight Test Group transferred from Naval Air Station Anacostia , Washington, DC to NAS Patuxent River. On June 16, 1945, the Naval Air Test Center was established as a separate entity, incorporating flight test and other test groups, at

1311-645: The Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . Cedar Point was selected due to its remote location on the coastline, well removed from air traffic congestion, with ample space for weapons testing. The onset of American involvement in World War II spurred establishment of the new air station. Rear Admiral John Henry Towers , Chief of Bureau of Aeronautics, requested approval and authorization to begin construction on December 22, 1941. Secretary of

1368-613: The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) for high-profile criminal investigations. During construction, housing needs far outstripped supply, and barracks were built for workers on the station. Later, several housing areas were erected off station for workers and their families in Lexington Park , formerly Jarboesville , named in honor of the USS Lexington , the Navy's second aircraft carrier, lost during

1425-723: The Potomac River in what is now southwestern St. Mary's County on March 25, 1634, and the annual anniversary of this landing is celebrated as Maryland Day . The passengers arrived in two vessels, the Ark and the Dove that had set sail from the Isle of Wight on November 22, 1633. The county is the site of the first Catholic Mass celebrated in one of the original thirteen colonies (after they had become English colonies). Earlier dates of masses being said were during 1526–1527 at San Miguel de Gualdape . Due to

1482-732: The St. Mary's Peninsula , St. Mary's County is largely bordered by water: the Patuxent River (northeast), the Chesapeake Bay (east), the Potomac River (southwest), and the Wicomico River (west). Its coastline has many coves, tidal creeks, bays, and inlets. Many coastal areas are made up of mixed clay-and-sand cliffs and bluffs, which protect many parts of the county from storm surges, however, there are low-lying coastal areas with coarse sand or gravel beaches or tidal marshlands, as well. The county has

1539-635: The United States Navy . It is one of the Echelon II Navy systems commands (SYSCOM), and was established in 1966 as the successor to the Navy's Bureau of Naval Weapons . NAVAIR is headquartered in Naval Air Station Patuxent River in St. Mary's County , Maryland , with military and civilian personnel stationed at eight locations across the continental United States and one site overseas. The current commander as of September 2021

1596-584: The 1950s to 1970s Patuxent River served as an operational base for a Transport Squadron - VR-1, a TACAMO squadron - VQ-4, Airborne Training Unit Atlantic - AEWTULANT, and VW-11, VW-13 AN VW-15 and a number of Patrol Squadrons including VP-8 , VP-44, VP-49, VP-24, VP-30 and VP-68. By 1965, reconnaissance Squadron VQ-4, based at NAS Patuxent River, began using Lockheed C-130s equipped with special communications equipment to perform their around-the-clock Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission. VQ-4 provided long-range, very-low-frequency communications relay between

1653-604: The 1970s. The Grumman F-14 Tomcat , the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II jump jet, and the Lockheed P-3 Orion were just a few of the major aircraft programs undergoing the rigorous test and evaluation process at NAS Patuxent River. Helicopter programs also achieved major milestones during the 1970s. The Naval Air Test Center (NATC) at NAS Patuxent River took part in helicopter development and testing for new roles, such as minesweeping. The final flight of

1710-601: The Air Combat Environment Test and Evaluation Facility, the Aircraft Test and Evaluation Facility, and the Captain Steven A. Hazelrigg Flight Test Facility. The physical plant was expanded by new construction: the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School academic building, an Aviation Survival Training Center pool facility and a new air-traffic-control tower . The base's social infrastructure has grown as well. In 2013,

1767-918: The Chesapeake Bay, to a greater predominance of freshwater and lower-salt-concentrations in its interior tidal waterways and also further up its bordering rivers. According to the Köppen climate classification , the county has a humid subtropical climate ( Cfa .) According to the Trewartha climate classification , the climate is Cf or oceanic ( Do ) depending on whether eight or seven months average above 50 °F (10 °C),) respectively. Average monthly temperatures in Leonardtown range from 36.3 °F in January to 78.1 °F in July. St. Mary's County borders Virginia , across

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1824-546: The National Command Center and the ballistic missile submarine fleet. Two LTV A-7 Corsair II aircraft made the transatlantic crossing from NAS Patuxent River to Évreux, France, in 1967, racking up 3,327 nautical miles in just over seven hours, an unofficial long-distance, non-refueled flight by light attack jet aircraft. Cooperation with the British led to transatlantic visits to Pax River by RAF squadrons. Research and development at NAS Patuxent River forged ahead in

1881-691: The Naval Air Station. The base became a center for testing as several facilities were constructed throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including the facilities for United States Naval Test Pilot School (1958), the Weapons Systems Test Division (1960), and the Propulsion System Evaluation Facility. The base also served as the testing facility for the V-22 Osprey . In addition to its role in testing naval aircraft, during

1938-655: The Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition (ASN(RDA)). The Naval Aviation PEOs are co-located with the Naval Air Systems Command at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD, and operate under NAVAIR policies and procedures. There are five Naval Air Systems Program Executive Offices. NAVAIR operations can also be subdivided into five product areas: NAVAIR is part of the Naval Aviation Enterprise triad model currently headed by

1995-472: The Navy, Frank Knox , gave approval on 7 January 1942. Construction began on 4 April 1942. The original civilian residents had about a month, until 1 March 1942, to relocate, as the federal government purchased all the land at a cost of $ 712,287 for 6,412 acres (26 km), which in 2013 dollars would be the equivalent of being paid $ 1,261 per acre. Many residents were forced to sell land that had been in their families for generations. Some families had roots in

2052-518: The Navy. The Naval Air Systems Command is organizationally aligned to the Chief of Naval Operations. As part of its mission, NAVAIR provides support, manpower, resources, and facilities to its aligned Program Executive Offices (PEOs). The Program Executive Offices are responsible for the execution of major defense acquisition programs. The PEOs are organizationally aligned to the Assistant Secretary of

2109-566: The Potomac River. St. Mary's County waters also are bordered by Virginia's territorial waters in Potomac tributary mouths on the Virginia side, tidal interface zones, and the Chesapeake Bay. Sometimes, water rights in all of these areas are still disputed. Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to

2166-407: The age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.0% were non-families, and 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.18. The median age was 36.0 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 80,053 and the median income for

2223-656: The air station grew rapidly in response to World War II and continued to evolve through the Cold War to the present. The 6,400 acres (26 km) Naval Air Station Patuxent River site is located in Lexington Park, Maryland , at the confluence of the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay on a peninsula known as Cedar Point. Naval Air Station Patuxent River (PAX) operated several landfills and other historical disposal areas. The landfills received solid and hazardous wastes . This included spent oil absorbents, solvents, paints, antifreeze, thinners, pesticides and photo lab wastes, sewage treatment plant sludge, cesspool wastes. In

2280-544: The air station. Known as the U.S. Government Railroad, the rail line was steam-powered and operated south of Brandywine for exclusive official use until 1954, when the Pennsylvania Railroad assumed operation of the line. Rail service ended in 1965, and the line was scrapped, although the right-of-way is still very visible. A highway extension to the new air station was required by the project—250,000 tons of material were transported by either truck or water routes during

2337-714: The area going back 300 years. These included traditional farming, crabbing and fishing families and there were protests. National wartime urgency was felt in Washington at the time to take precedence, and the process of eminent domain went through. A lack of transportation in Saint Mary's County led the Navy to acquire and revitalize a branchline called the Washington, Brandywine and Point Lookout Railroad , aka "The Farmers' Railroad", from Brandywine to Mechanicsville , Maryland , in June 1942 and build an extension south from Mechanicsville to

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2394-455: The cost, schedule, and performance requirements of their assigned programs. NAVAIR encompasses six headquarters groups that report directly to the Commander, Naval Air Systems Command: NAVAIR is organized into three Echelon III commands: Fleet Readiness Centers are support activities that provide shore-based and depot level maintenance and support to the Navy's aviation effort. They are under

2451-441: The county. The population density was 238 people per square mile (92 people/km ). There were 34,081 housing units at an average density of 36 persons/km (94 persons/sq mi) . The racial makeup of the county was 81.57% White , 13.92% African American , 0.34% Native American , 1.80% Asian , 0.07% Pacific Islander , 0.61% from other races, and 1.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.00% of

2508-407: The direction of the office of Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers (COMFRC). Below are the following Fleet Readiness Centers: The Naval Air Systems Command Program Executive Offices (PEOs) are organizations responsible for the prototyping, procurement, and fielding of naval air equipment. Their mission is to develop, acquire, field and sustain affordable and integrated state of the art equipment for

2565-426: The growth of St. Mary's College of Maryland, as well as increasing numbers of long-distance Washington, D.C. commuters, it has been undergoing a decades-long transformation which has seen the county's population double since 1970. The county is part of the Southern Maryland region of the state. The settlement of Lord Baltimore 's Maryland began with the arrival of passengers from England at St. Clement's Island in

2622-676: The late 1950s, DDT was sprayed and from 1962–1989 various pesticides, including fungicides and insecticides and herbicides, were used, contaminating the ground surface water and groundwater. Base residential housing was within a quarter mile. In May 1994, PAX was added to the Superfund program's National Priorities List . As of 2022, several areas were considered "cleaned up" after removing contaminated soil, but there are ongoing maintenance activities such as monitoring and treatment of landfill gas , groundwater, and using land use controls and institutional controls, eg. restricting fish consumption. At

2679-489: The lowest percentage for a Republican candidate since Bob Dole in 1996. St. Mary's County is governed by county commissioners, the traditional form of county government in Maryland. The county commissioners exercise such executive powers as exist in the government of the county. St. Mary's County has the oldest documented sheriff's office in Maryland and one of the oldest in the United States. In 1637, James Baldridge

2736-443: The population. 14.8% were of American , 13.9% German , 13.3% English and 12.1% Irish ancestry. There were 30,642 households, out of which 25.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.10% were married couples living together, 15.10% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 34.90% were non-families. 29.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.90% had someone living alone who

2793-507: The remaining areas, investigations and remedy selection activities continue. For example, in April 2021 the Navy disclosed at a NAS Patuxent River Restoration Advisory Board meeting that 84,757 ppt of PFOS were detected in the groundwater at Webster Field. Prior to 1937 the area was prime farmland , consisting of several large plantations, Mattapony , Susquehanna , and Cedar Point, as well as numerous tenant and sharecropper properties and

2850-519: The service acceptance trials for the Bell AH-1 SuperCobra gunship was made at NATC Patuxent River. On 1 April 1976, Patuxent River's airfield was named after pioneering aviator VADM Frederick M. Trapnell , a former commander of the Naval Air Test Center at the station. Keynote address speaker, ADM Frederick H. Michaelis , Chief of Naval Material , noted: "All who fly in Navy blue remain indebted to Vice Admiral Trapnell. This field will serve as

2907-446: The small size of the island and its lack of resources, there was no intention to make a permanent settlement on the island. Instead St. Clement's was used as a base for the settlers while scouting for a more suitable site. This was how a bluff overlooking the nearby St. Mary's River was chosen for numerous reasons, and became the site of the first permanent settlement. It would soon be named, " St. Mary's City ". St. Mary's City, Maryland

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2964-463: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.14. In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.90% under the age of 18, 15.70% from 18 to 24, 29.50% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 9.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 101.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.10 males. The median income for

3021-421: Was 78.6% white, 14.3% black or African American, 2.5% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.0% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 17.4% were Irish , 17.3% were German , 16.0% were English , 8.8% were American , and 5.2% were Italian . Of the 37,604 households, 38.5% had children under

3078-549: Was a branch of the Naval Air Warfare Center, created in 1991, and located in Washington, DC. Its mission was the development and improvement of weapons. The partnership of these two units led to a "flourishing" of aircraft research and development at Patuxent. A number of new laboratory facilities on the forefront of research were created: a manned flight simulator, the Aircraft Anechoic Test Facility,

3135-455: Was appointed sheriff. Since 1776, sheriffs in St. Mary's County have been determined by election. Steven A. Hall is the current sheriff. He was sworn in on December 5, 2022. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 764 square miles (1,980 km ), of which 357 square miles (920 km ) is land and 407 square miles (1,050 km ) (%) is water. It is the second-largest county in Maryland by total area. Located on

3192-590: Was the first county established in Maryland, in 1637, probably by an order of the governor. In 1649, Lord Baltimore, with the Maryland General Assembly, passed the Maryland Toleration Act , which provided religious freedom for any (Christian) sect and which was the first law of its kind in the New World. There is a statue in St. Mary's City commemorating this event, along with extensive museums,

3249-645: Was used as a filming location for the Harrison Ford film Random Hearts (1999). Ford and director Sydney Pollack both visited Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Ford, a certified pilot, flew the aircraft himself. In January 1992, the Pax River Station acquired the Aircraft Division of the Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWCAD). The Naval Test Wing Atlantic (NTWL) was already located there, which

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