Indian Head Naval Base
Naval Support Facility Indian Head Relocation Information
Welcome to Naval Support Facility Indian Head
Operating continuously since 1890 in different capacities, Naval Support Facility Indian Head is the Navy’s oldest continuously operating naval ordnance station. The area was selected in the late 1800s for its remote location along the Potomac River, due to the base’s early work involving dangerous testing of naval guns, shells, and explosives. By World War I, Indian Head was a critical wartime production facility supplying propellants for the fleet, operating at high output to meet global demand, and deepening expertise in energetics and munitions manufacturing.
In 2005, the Indian Head base was renamed as Naval Support Facility (NSF) Indian Head with the commissioning of Naval Support Activity South Potomac (NSASP) as the installation’s host command. The base is a 3,400-acre peninsula where essential joint-service, Navy and Marine Corps missions support the Department of War. Their mission is to test, develop, and research explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics, and energetic materials and systems.
Frequently Asked Questions About Naval Support Facility Indian Head
1. What are the commands at Naval Support Facility Indian Head?
According to the official Navy website, current supported commands on board NSF Indian Head include the following:
- Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division
- Naval Ordnance Safety and Security Activity
- Naval Sea Logistics Center Indian Head
- Expeditionary Exploitation Unit One (EXU-1)
- Chemical Biological Incident Response Force
2. How can I find lodging or housing near Naval Support Facility Indian Head?
This base offers limited on-base housing, and it does not offer arrival lodging. Many service members choose to live off base in nearby neighborhoods using their BAH. Learn more about homes for sale and houses for rent in the off-base housing section.
3. What cities and towns are near Naval Support Facility Indian Head?
The base is located in the town of Indian Head, MD. Within a 30-minute drive or less, other towns and cities include Charles County, La Plata, and Waldorf.
4. What is the zip code for Naval Support Facility Indian Head?
The zip code for NSF Indian Head is 20640.
5. What is the BAH for Naval Support Facility Indian Head?
The BAH for Naval Support Facility Indian Head ranges from $3,192 for E-1 to $3,768 for E-9 with dependents, and from $3,273 for O-1 to $4,344 for O-7 with dependents. See the BAH section for more info.
Base Location and Information
Naval Support Facility Indian Head Address
3838 Strauss Avenue
Indian Head, MD 20640-5133
Surrounded by the Potomac River and Mattawoman Creek, NSF Indian Head and Charles County, MD, are less than 30 miles south of Washington, DC. Despite being geographically close to the nation’s capital, Indian Head feels far removed from the city because of its quiet, rural feel. For service members working on base, the town has little traffic since it is a slower-paced area. Traffic congestion increases when heading towards DC. The main highway connecting the area to DC is Indian Head Highway, MD-210.Waldorf and La Plata, MD, offer a more urban area with convenient amenities. Service members and their families can take a short drive to these cities for shopping, restaurants, healthcare, and entertainment.
Nearby Bases
Joint Base Andrews
Walter Reed Medical Center
Arrival Lodging
There is no Navy Lodge or temporary lodging facility at NSF Indian Head. Service members find lodging within the surrounding local community.
Naval Support Facility Indian Head Housing
NSF Indian Head has partnered with Liberty Military Housing for on-base housing options. NavyMWR Indian Head states Family Housing includes historic single-family homes for officers O1-O6, new townhomes for enlisted families, and new duplexes and single-family homes for junior officers and senior enlisted. For more information on how to contact the Navy Housing Service Center and its privatized partner, visit the contact housing page on their website.
Naval Support Facility Off-Base Housing
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Within Indian Head, and closest to base, service members and their families often find off-base housing at Bryan Road subdivisions. Compared to the surrounding areas, housing closest to the base is more affordable, but the trade-off is that there are fewer amenities nearby.
Many service members and their families prefer to live in Waldorf for its short commute to base, convenient amenities, and a busier suburban environment. Often, the commute to base is only 10-20 minutes, depending on traffic. For less congestion while still having convenient amenities, many families live in La Plata.
Some families stationed at NSF Indian Head choose to live in Virginia cities like Woodbridge, Dumfries, and Alexandria since these locations have better access to the Northern VA job market and more developed areas. The trade-off would be a higher cost of living and an unpredictable commute, often over an hour to NSF Indian Head, on I-95 and other major highways.
Base Search
Homes for sale near Naval Support Facility Indian Head
Houses for rent near Naval Support Facility Indian Head
City Search
Homes for sale near Indian Head, MD
Houses for rent near Indian Head, MD
Homes for sale near Waldorf, MD
Houses for rent near Waldorf, MD
Naval Support Facility Indian Head BAH
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a US-based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed service members compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Naval Support Facility Indian Head is in Indian Head, MD. Sample NSF Indian Head rates for zip code 20640:
- E-1 with dependents: $3,192
- E-1 without dependents: $2,472
- E-9 with dependents: $3,768
- E-9 without dependents: $3,306
- O-1 with dependents: $3,273
- O-1 without dependents: $3,132
- O-7 with dependents: $4,344
- O-7 without dependents: $3,714
Area Weather and Climate
The area around NSF Indian Head has a humid climate with four distinct seasons. Since Indian Head is along the Potomac River, summers are hot and humid. Fall has low humidity and comfortable temperatures. Winters are mild compared to other northern states, but there is still occasional snowfall, with the lows being in the 20s and 30s. Spring has variable temperatures, ranging from pleasant, warm days to cooler periods and frequent thunderstorms.
Naval Support Facility Indian Head Area Schools
There are no DoDEA schools on base at Naval Support Facility Indian Head. School-aged children residing in Indian Head, MD, will attend Charles County Public Schools. Nearby schools include Indian Head Elementary, General Smallwood Middle, and Henry E. Lackey High School.
For families considering private education, Private School Review is a helpful resource for researching local options. Those interested in homeschooling should adhere to the regulations outlined on the Maryland State Department of Education website. For more assistance and information with local schools, contact the NSF Indian Head School Liaison Officer (SLO).
Support for Military and Families
NSF Indian Head’s MWR offers several resources for service members and their families. Their aquatic center is open seasonally with lap swim lanes, open swim, and swim lessons. The base also has two sports fields and offers intramural sports. For service members with families and children, there’s a Child Development Center (CDC), a Fleet & Family Support Center, a youth center, and school-age care. On base, there’s a library, bowling alley, a tiki bar, a bistro with a Starbucks, and a community rec center.
Things To Do Near Naval Support Facility Indian Head
- The Indian Head Rail Trail offers a flat biking and running trail close to NSF Indian Head
- Mattawoman Creek and the Potomac River are perfect for kayaking and fishing
- The La Plata Farmers Market is open most weekends and offers fresh produce and goods
- The National Harbor is a short drive from base, and it showcases the Capital Wheel, dining, shops, bars, and the MGM Casino\
- Washington DC has countless museums, restaurants, and historical attractions for the whole family. The nation’s capital is just about a 30 to 45-minute drive from NSF Indian Head.
Base Address:
3767 Strauss Ave., Bldg. 20
Indian Head
,
20640-5150