Patuxent River (NAS Trapnell Field)

Patuxent River Airport (NAS Trapnell Field) is not merely an air gateway, but the heart of American naval aviation. Located in the picturesque landscape of Maryland, at the confluence of the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay, it serves as the primary centre for testing and evaluating the latest aircraft and systems of the USA Navy. Although it is an active military base closed to civilian flights, its influence on the region is immense. For travellers passionate about technology and history, this place is of special interest, as the future of aviation is being written here.

The main feature of Trapnell Field is its unique status. It is not a commercial airport, but an advanced research, development, and test centre. It is the base for the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, where top pilots from around the world undergo training. The airfield is home to numerous test squadrons that evaluate the entire fleet of naval aviation — from fighter jets and helicopters to unmanned aerial vehicles.

For tourists, the main advantage of the air base's location is its proximity to the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. It is located right at the base's gates and offers a unique opportunity to see dozens of aircraft and helicopters, many of which underwent testing right here. This makes a visit to Patuxent River a mandatory programme item for anyone who is truly passionate about aviation history and modern technology.

Since Patuxent River (NAS Trapnell Field) is a military air base, standard contact details familiar to commercial airports may be limited. Information is primarily intended for personnel and official visitors. Nevertheless, here are the main available contacts:

• Official Website: The most up-to-date information about the base can be found on the official website of the Naval Air Station Patuxent River within the US Navy portal. This is usually the best source of data regarding access rules and service operations.
• Phone: For general enquiries, you can use the base operator's phone number: (301) 342-3000.
• Address: The physical address of the base: 22268 Cedar Point Rd, Patuxent River, MD 20670, USA.
• Email: To contact the Public Affairs Office, you may use email, but a response may take time.
• Social Media: NAS Patuxent River has official pages on social networks, such as Facebook, where news and important announcements for personnel and the local community are published.
• Lost Luggage Information: As this is not a commercial airport, there is no standard airline baggage tracing service here. If you have lost personal items on the base territory, you should contact security or the visitor centre.
• Passenger Support: There is no specialised support service for commercial passengers on the military base. For questions related to access to the territory, one should contact the Visitor Control Center well in advance.

When planning a trip to Patuxent River Airport, it is important to remember that NAS Trapnell Field (Patuxent River Naval Air Station) is an active naval air base of the USA. This imposes certain restrictions on transport accessibility and access to the territory. Most options are oriented towards base personnel and official visitors, so route planning requires special attention for civilians.

Car Rental

The most convenient and practical way to get to the air base and move around the region is to rent a car. This provides maximum freedom and flexibility. Offices of rental companies (Hertz, Enterprise, etc.) are located both in neighbouring towns and near major regional airports. Important: to enter the base territory by car, you will need the appropriate permits and documents, which must be presented at the checkpoint. Without them, you will likely be asked to leave the car at the guest parking lot near the entrance.

Taxi, Ridesharing, and Transfers

Local taxi services, as well as popular services like Uber and Lyft, operate in the Patuxent River area. This is a convenient option if you do not plan to move around much. A trip from the city centre will take only 10–15 minutes. However, please note that drivers who do not have accreditation to enter the base will only be able to take you to the main gate or the Visitor Control Center. The cost of the trip will be higher than public transport, but lower than renting a car for one day.

Public Transport

Public transport options in this part of Maryland are quite limited. There are no direct bus or rail routes to the air base for the general public. The local bus system, St. Mary's Transit System (STS), serves the county, but its routes do not enter the military base territory. Therefore, one should not rely on a bus or train as the main way to get to the airport.

Parking at the Airport

Parking zones are provided on the air base territory, including spaces for visitors. Parking is strictly regulated by base rules. Usually, special zones near the checkpoint or main buildings are allocated for guests. If you plan to leave a vehicle for a long period, it is necessary to clarify the rules and possible restrictions in advance.

Recommendations for Travellers

For most tourists heading to this region, the standard route involves flying into one of the major international airports, such as Ronald Reagan Airport in Washington (DCA), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), or Dulles (IAD). From there, Patuxent River can be reached by rental car in approximately 1.5–2.5 hours, depending on traffic. Always check base access requirements in advance if you are not a service member or government contractor.

It is important to understand that Patuxent River US Naval Air Station (NAS Patuxent River Trapnell Field) with IATA code: NHK is primarily an active military facility, and not a commercial airport for civilian passenger transport. Information about its internal structure, including terminals, is strictly limited and is not available in the public domain.

Tourists and ordinary travellers should consider the following points:

• Absence of Civilian Terminals: There are no passenger terminals here in the traditional sense found in civilian airports. The airfield is used for the needs of the USA Navy, including test flights, and the transport of military personnel and cargo.
• Restricted Access: The air base is a closed territory. Access to it is strictly regulated and permitted only to military personnel, their family members, civilian base staff, and officially invited persons. Tourists and individuals without special permission cannot enter the territory.
• Flight Purpose: All flights served by the airfield are of a military or governmental nature. Regular commercial airlines do not fly here.

Thus, for a traveller planning a trip to Patuxent River, searching for information about terminals, departure zones, or check-in at NHK makes no practical sense. For air travel to this region, one should consider the nearest civilian airports, such as Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) or Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

The Patuxent River Airport (NAS Trapnell Field) (NHK), located in the city of Patuxent River, USA, has a rich history closely linked to the development of naval aviation. It is not a civilian airport in the usual sense, but one of the most important US Navy bases. Officially, the Naval Air Station Patuxent River was commissioned on 1 April 1943, in the midst of World War II. Its creation was dictated by the urgent need for a unified centre for testing and evaluating new carrier-based aircraft and aviation systems.

Immediately after the war, the base consolidated its status as the Navy's main test centre. A key event was the founding of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School here in 1945, which trained many famous pilots and future astronauts. During the Cold War, "Pax River," as the base is informally known, became the arena for testing legendary aircraft such as the F-4 Phantom, F-14 Tomcat, and F/A-18 Hornet, playing a decisive role in the fleet's technological superiority.

Throughout its history, the airfield has been constantly modernised to meet the requirements of the times. Runways, hangars, and, most importantly, testing equipment have been updated many times. Today, the most modern aircraft undergo evaluation here, including the fifth-generation F-35C Lightning II fighter, the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor, and various unmanned systems. The airfield is named Trapnell Field in honour of Vice Admiral Frederick "Trap" Trapnell, a pioneer of naval flight testing.

An interesting fact: practically every aircraft or helicopter entering service with the US Navy over the last 80 years has passed through rigorous testing at the Patuxent River base. This is a place where records were set, technologies were honed, and the history of American naval aviation was forged. Its contribution to the development of aviation is hard to overestimate, as it is here that the future of the fleet's air power is determined.

It is important to understand that NAS Trapnell Field (NHK) is part of the naval air base Patuxent River (NAS Patuxent River) and is not a commercial passenger airport in the usual sense. Access to its territory and the use of services are strictly limited to military personnel, employees of the USA Department of Defense, their families, and authorised visitors. Thus, the standard set of services for civilian tourists is absent here.

The base infrastructure is oriented towards the needs of service members and includes:

• Dining and Shops: There are canteens, food courts, and a Navy Exchange (NEX) store on the base territory, where one can buy necessities, electronics, and clothing. These facilities are not equivalents of airport restaurants and Duty-Free shops and are available only to base personnel.
• Waiting Lounges: There are no commercial VIP lounges or airline waiting halls here. However, a USO lounge area may operate for military personnel and their families.
• Internet and Charging Stations: Wi-Fi and places to charge devices may be available in certain zones, such as the USO or hotels on the base territory, but this is not a publicly accessible service for all passengers.
• Financial Services: A bank branch or credit union (for example, Navy Federal Credit Union) may operate on the base, but currency exchange points for tourists are absent.
• Accommodation: Instead of commercial hotels, there are hotels for authorised personnel on the base territory, such as Navy Gateway Inns & Suites or Navy Lodge. Booking and staying in them is possible only with the appropriate identification.
• Other Services: Services for passengers with children or disabilities are provided in accordance with standards for military facilities, but specialised family rooms or service centres for civilian travellers are not provided. Business centres and conference halls for the general public are also absent.

For civilian air travel, travellers should use the nearest major commercial airports, such as Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), or Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

Since Patuxent River Airport (NAS Trapnell Field) (NHK) is a facility of the USA Navy, it does not offer the standard set of services for passengers typical of commercial airports. Dining options on its territory are primarily oriented towards military personnel and authorised visitors, rather than the general public.

Canteens, small cafes, or franchises of well-known fast-food chains may operate on the base territory, but access to them is restricted. The separation into a public zone (landside) and a post-security zone (airside) with a variety of restaurants and cafes, which is familiar to travellers, is absent here. For this reason, detailed information about menus, prices, opening hours, and special dietary offers for a wide audience is unavailable.

Travellers who need to find a place for lunch or dinner in this area are recommended to explore establishments in nearby towns, for example, in Lexington Park. There you can find a wide selection of restaurants and cafes offering both American cuisine and other diverse culinary directions.

When planning a trip, it is important to consider that Patuxent River Airport (NAS Trapnell Field) is an active US Naval Air Station and does not serve commercial civilian flights. Only military and government aircraft arrive here, so it is impossible to buy a ticket for a regular passenger plane to this airport.

Travellers wishing to visit the city of Patuxent River and its surroundings usually choose the nearest major civilian aviation hubs. The most convenient options are Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Both airports are approximately a 1.5–2 hour drive from the city, so trip logistics will require additional attention to ground transport.

For saving time and comfort, the best solution after arriving at BWI or DCA would be to rent a car. Public transport to Patuxent River can be complicated and lengthy, with several transfers, while a car will allow you to flexibly manage your schedule. Consider possible traffic congestion on the roads in the Washington and Baltimore area when planning travel time.

When departing from the region's civilian airports, it is recommended to arrive for check-in in advance — 2–3 hours before departure. These are major transport hubs with high passenger traffic, and passing through security control (TSA) may take significant time. Rules for carrying hand luggage are standard for the USA: liquids in containers up to 100 ml, no sharp objects, and mandatory presentation of electronics during inspection.

In case of a flight delay or a long connection at the capital's major airports, take advantage of their developed infrastructure. Unlike the military base, BWI and DCA have many cafes, shops, and rest areas with free Wi-Fi, where you can spend time comfortably. Be sure to download your airline's app to receive prompt notifications about schedule changes.