Dover AFB, DE

Dover AFB, DE 19902 | Base Operator: DSN: 445-3000, (302) 677-3000

Dover AFB: Overview

The mission of Dover AFB is one of tremendous honor; it is to transport our fallen heroes from overseas to the mortuary located on the base, which is the only one of its kind in the Continental United States. This mission is accomplished through two well-trained and professional entities of the USAF, which are the 436th Airlift Wing (436 AW) and the 512th Airlift Wing (512 AW) of the Air Force Reserve. The 436 AW is referred to as the “Eagle Wing” and the 512 AW is referred to as the “Liberty Wing.” Together, the 436 AW and the 512 AW make up “Team Dover.” In addition to its primary mission, Team Dover also transports military cargo. The use of two outstanding airframes, the C-5 Galaxy and the C-17 Globemaster III, allows Team Dover to effectively complete its mission objectives.

The base was originally constructed as a municipal airport, but the events that took place on December 7, 1941, which signaled our entry into World War II, changed that. The U.S. Army Air Corps took control of the base and converted it into a coastal defense base. The major mission of the squadrons stationed at the installation was to conduct anti-submarine patrols. Towards the end of the war, the base hosted seven P-47 Thunderbolt squadrons that were eventually deployed to the European Theater. Following the Second World War, the installation was renamed to Dover Air Force Base. It had a few different missions during the Cold War era, but has mainly served as an air transport base since WWII.

Dover AFB: Education

Online schools provide the convenience that you need in order to earn your degree while stationed at Dover AFB. You can attend classes when you want, wherever you are in the world. You may want to request information from a number of these schools. Start by clicking the "Find A School" button below:

Dover AFB: Location

Dover AFB is located on the Delmarva Peninsula. The Delmarva Peninsula is occupied by the states of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. The capital of Delaware, Dover, is only two miles north of the base in Kent County. Other cities within driving distance from the base include Smyrna, DE, Milford, DE, Middletown, DE, Bridgeton, NJ, Millville, NJ, Georgetown, DE, Pennsville, NJ, New Castle, DE, Vineland, NJ, Elkton, MD, Seaford, DE, Wilmington Manor, DE, Brookside, DE, and Newark, DE, and Easton, MD.

Dover AFB: Interesting Facts

Dover AFB has the largest Aerial Port in the world. In fact, it moves more cargo than UPS and Federal Express combined.
Dover Army Airfield was deactivated following WWII, only to be reactivated in 1950 due to the Korean War and the new threat of the Cold War.
Dover AFB served as a launch abort facility for the Space Shuttle. Only six other airports had that distinction.
The air traffic tower at Dover AFB, which was originally constructed in 1955, is the oldest active air traffic tower in the USAF.