Joint Base Andrews Leaks 32,000 Gallons of Jet Fuel into Potomac River Over Four Months

Joint Base Andrews, the U.S. Air Force facility that stores and maintains Air Force One, has leaked approximately 32,000 gallons of jet fuel into the Potomac River over the past four months. The leaks occurred at a facility situated directly on Piscataway Creek, a tributary of the Potomac.

According to an investigation by NOTUS, the leaks were preventable and occurred in two separate incidents. The timeline of the spills, as reported, highlights a series of failures in both detection and reporting.

Timeline of the Jet Fuel Leaks at Joint Base Andrews

December: Critical Safety Test Failure

The first red flag emerged in December, when the base’s fuel system failed a critical leak safety test. Despite this failure, no immediate action was taken to address the issue.

January–February: Initial Fuel Loss Detected

Over the first two months of the year, base personnel noted the loss of roughly 10,000 gallons of jet fuel. At the time, officials believed the leak was contained within the base and had not impacted the surrounding environment.

March 23: Oil Spotted in Piscataway Creek

On March 23, an observer reported seeing oil floating in Piscataway Creek. This prompted the Department of Defense (DoD) to notify the state of Maryland about the spill. However, military officials initially underreported the amount of fuel that had entered the waterways.

April: Full Extent of the Spill Revealed

It took the DoD two additional weeks to disclose the full impact of the leak to Maryland officials. This delay sparked outrage from environmental regulators, who criticized the lack of transparency.

“There’s an equation with a lot of blank spaces that have to be filled in. That’s why the rules are what they are. People are supposed to report immediately.”

Adam Ortiz, Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of the Environment

Environmental Concerns and Regulatory Response

While the full extent of the fuel that reached the Potomac River remains unclear, the environmental consequences are expected to be severe. Maryland officials have expressed frustration over the cover-up, emphasizing the urgency of uncovering the full truth.

“Efforts to properly control, contain, and clean up the release of fuel have been minimal and insufficient. Deadlines are now considered past due.”

Maryland Inspectors, April 15 Report (via NOTUS)

The state’s environmental regulators are now demanding full accountability from the DoD, questioning what other undisclosed incidents may have occurred.

For more on environmental damages linked to federal actions, see: Trump’s US Forest Service Spraying Deadly Toxins on America’s Woodlands.