Pope AFB, NC

Fayetteville, NC 28308 | Base Operator: DSN 424-1110, (910) 394-1110

Pope AFB: Overview

Pope Air Force Base (AFB) is the staging area for the operations conducted by the 43rd Airlift Wing, the 440th Airlift Wing of the Air Force Reserve, and a number of other units of various commands, including the Air Force Special Operations Command. The 43rd Airlift Wing has a couple of different missions, which include deploying troops of the 82nd Airborne from nearby Fort Bragg and providing airborne medical support.

Once established, Pope Field, which was once part Fort Bragg, was used to conduct a variety of airborne missions that were typical of the available aerial technology of 1919. These missions included aerial photography, mail delivery, and reconnaissance. The mission of the base expanded significantly during World War II to include troop deployment and supply drop responsibilities.

Pope AFB: Education

It is time to take advantage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Tuition Assistance (TA) Program by earning a degree while stationed at Pope AFB. After clicking on the "Find A School" button below, you will have access to many colleges and universities that will provide you with an excellent education, preparing you for the challenges you will continue to face while serving our country or after you separate and enter the civilian workforce.

Pope AFB: Location

Pope AFB can be found in the south-central portion of North Carolina. It actually lies within the city limits of Fayetteville, which is in Cumberland County. The Sandhills and the Cape Fear River are not very far from the base. Other communities in the area include Hope Mills, NC, Dunn, NC, Southern Pines, NC, Lumberton, NC, Sanford, NC, Pinehurst, NC, Fuquay-Varina, NC, Laurinburg, NC, Holly Springs, NC, Smithfield, NC, Apex, NC, Clayton, NC, Garner, NC, Rockingham, NC, and Cary, NC.

Pope AFB: Interesting Facts

The namesake of the base is 1st LT Harley Halbert Pope. LT Pope was lost when his Curtiss JN-4 Jenny plunged into the Cape Fear River in 1919.
"Pope Field" was actually part of Fort Bragg. The establishment of the USAF helped to facilitate that separation of these entities into to installations.