Fort Myer, Virginia - Definition and Overview

Fort Myer is a U.S. Army base located adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. It is now the home of the Air Force Chief of Staff and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Fort Myer was originally established as Fort Whipple during the American Civil War in 1863. It was renamed for Brigadier General Albert J. Myer, who established the Signal School of Instruction for Army and Navy Officers there in 1869. Fort Myer was the location of several exhibition flights by Orville Wright in 1908.