Dover Air Force Base in Delaware is the location of what is said to be the largest aerial port under DoD jurisdiction. It’s also home of Air Force Mortuary Affairs, the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, and the Joint Personal Effects Depot. Find information about Dover Air Force Base including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PCSing personnel, and inprocessing.
Mission & Units
Dover AFB is host to the 436th Airlift Wing and the 512th Airlift Wing; airframes supported by the base include the C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III. The Dover AFB mission includes aircraft maintenance, deployment support, cargo, and also the return of those killed in action to American soil through the efforts of the Air Force Mortuary Affairs and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System. Dover is the only Continental US Port Mortuary in the Department of Defense.
Missions and units at Dover AFB include:
- 326th Airlift Squadron (326 AS)
- 3rd Airlift Squadron (3AS)
- 436 Aerial Port Squadron (436 APS)
- 436 AW/XP Plans and Programs
- 436th Aerial Port Squadron (436 APS)
- 436th Aerospace Medicine-Dental Squadron(436 ADOS)
- 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (436 AMXS)
- 436th AW/CM Dover AFB Museum
- 436th AW/CP Command and Control (C2) Command Post
- 436th AW/EO Equal Opportunity
- 436th AW/PA Public Affairs
- 436th AW/SE Safety
- 436th Civil Engineering Squadron (436 CES)
- 436th Communication Squadron (436 CS)
- 436th Comptroller Squadron (436 CPTS)
- 436th Contracting Squadron (436 CONS)
- 436th Force Support Squadron (436 FSS)
- 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron (436 LRS)
- 436th Maintenance Operations Squadron (436 MOS)
- 436th Maintenance Squadron (436 MXS)
- 436th Medical Operations Squadron (436 MDOS)
- 436th Medical Support Squadron (436 MDSS)
- 436th Operations Support Sq (436 OSS)
- 436th Security Forces Squadron (436 SFS)
- 512th Aerospace Medical Squadron (512 AMDS)
- 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (512 AMXS)
- 512th Airlift Control Flight (512 ALCF)
- 512th Civil Engineer Squadron (512 CES)
- 512th Maintenance Operations Squadron (512 MOS)
- 512th Maintenance Squadron (512 MXS)
- 512th Memorial Affairs Squadron (512 MAS)
- 512th Mission Support Squadron (512 MSS)
- 512th Operations Support Flight (512 OSF)
- 512th Security Forces Squadron (512 SFS)
- 709th Airlift Squadron (709 AS)
- 736 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (736 AMXS)
- 9th Airlift Squadron (9 AS)
- Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations (AFMOA)/Public Affairs
History
America entered World War Two in 1941, which was roughly the same time that Dover Municipal Airfield had been completed; the facility was leased to the United States Army Air Corps and used by the Army to secure the coast. The first military missions flown from Dover Airfield included operations by the 112th Observation Squadron, (which had been federalized), kicking off a very long run of air operations from the facility including the only all-C-5 wing to operate in Air Mobility Command.
Come 1942, the needs of the airfield included a longer runway and one suitable to fly heavy aircraft to and from. Some 7,000 feet of runway and 29,000 square yards of “paved apron” were completed in 1943; the airfield would be run as a training base for P-47 Thunderbolt fighter pilots.
Once the war was over, Dover converted to a processing center for those returning home and separating from the military; the base was briefly deactivated, then roared back to life in 1951 under Air Defense Command. It would change jurisdictions, add and lose operations over time. In 1966 the base fell under Military Airlift Command with the 436th Military Airlift Wing replacing the inactivated 1607 Air Training Wing as host wing for Dover Air Force Base.
In contemporary times, the base is an invaluable resource in a variety of areas including serving as the largest and “most technologically-advanced” aerial port in the DoD according to the official site.
Dover Air Force Base also operates as the only Continental US Port Mortuary and is host to the the Armed Forced Medical Examiner System.
Contacts
Main Address and Phone Number
846 Sumner Drive
Building #846
Dover, DE 19901
- 302-677-6930
- 312-445-6930
Important Dover AFB Contact Phone Numbers
- Airman and Family Readiness Center (302) 677-3258
- Base Operator (302) 677-3000
- Child Development Center (302) 677-3716
- Children & Families First (302) 672-0510
- Civilian Personnel Office (302) 677-4655
- Emergency 911
- Family Advocacy (302) 677-2711
- Family Center (302) 677-6930
- Family Child Care Program (302) 677-3712
- Family Member Employment Assistance Program (302) 677-6930
- Finance Office (302) 677-4486
- Hospital Main (302) 674-4700
- Housing Office (302) 677-6969
- ID Cards (302) 677-4541
- Information and Referral Services (302) 677-6930
- Legal Services and JAG (302) 677-3300
- Medical Appointments (302) 730-4633
- New Parent Support Program – Family Advocacy (302) 677-2711
- SNAIC – EFMP Enrollment (302) 677-2598
- Temporary Lodging (302) 677-2841
- Welcome/Visitors Center (302) 677-3645
- Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) (302) 677-6930
- Women, Infants & Children/Nutrition (WIC) (302) 741-2900
- Citizenship and Immigration Services (302) 677-4541
- Finance Office (302) 677-4486
- Legal Assistance Office/JAG (302) 677-3300
- Personal Financial Management Program (PFMP) (302) 677-6930
- Retirement Services (BRAVO) (302) 677-4612
- Sexual Assault Prevention & Response (SAPR) Program (302) 677-4357
- Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) (302) 677-3680
- School Liaison Office (302) 677-3258
- Dental Clinic (302) 677-2200
- Health Benefits Advisor (302) 677-2530
- Hospital/Medical Treatment Facility (302) 677-2567
- Barracks/Single Service Member Housing (302) 677-6969
- Housing Office (302) 677-6969
- Hunt Military Communities (302) 678-3603
- Temporary Lodging/Billeting (302) 677-2841
- ID/CAC Card Processing (302) 677-4546
- Information and Referral (302) 677-6930
Surrounding Area
Dover AFB is geographically close to a variety of East Coast destinations including Atlantic City, Baltimore (home of notorious filmmaker John Waters), Annapolis, etc. The city of Dover itself is the second-largest city in the state of Delaware and features a low cost of living.
Things to do in the area vary greatly–the proximity of so many major cities and attractions in the area means you’ll never be short of a major league sports event, big concert, or arts-and-culture attractions to explore.
Many major destinations are within a two-hour drive, but be aware that in general East Coast traffic issues are a force to be respected; you’ll want to plan your travel around peak rush hour times, holidays, and other circumstances where traffic may be a major issue when arriving or departing.
Here’s a list of destination cities many choose to explore while stationed at Dover AFB; most are under 200 miles away with the exception of Pittsburgh, which is approximately 260 miles from the base.
- Baltimore, MD
- Washington, DC
- Newark, NJ
- Jersey City, NJ
- New York, NY
- Philadelphia, PA
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Norfolk, VA
- Chesapeake, VA
- Pittsburgh, PA
Inprocessing and Check-In
All PCSing military arriving at Dover are directed to check with the gaining unit for check-in and in processing procedures. In general, there is a list of documents you’ll be required to hand-carry to your first visit to the base, they include:
- For PCS Moves: DD2278 (DITY application)
- DITY Checklist and Certification of expenses
- Rental Contract if Applicable
- Certified Weight Tickets
- All expense receipts
- 3 Copies of Orders
Your sponsor should also provide instructions on when and how to check in; ask your sponsor or contact your gaining unit command support staff to learn more.
Health Care
Healthcare at Dover AFB is provided on a priority basis by the 436th Medical Group. “In order to receive the highest priority for appointment access and the lowest cost to you, we recommend that you enroll in TRICARE Prime” according to the official site. First priority for medical care is active-duty military; the second priority is TRICARE Prime members enrolled to the 436th Medical Group. Non-TRICARE Prime beneficiaries are “seen on a space-available basis.”
Call the appointment line at 302-730-4MED/4633. Services include:
- Family Health Clinic
- Flight Medicine Clinic
- Pediatric Clinic
- Women’s Health Clinic
- Dental Clinic
- Optometry Clinic
- Mental Health Clinic
- Physical Therapy Clinic
- Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator (BCAC)
- Bioenvironmental Engineering
- Deployment Health
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Family Advocacy
- Health and Wellness Center (HAWC)
- Immunizations
- Laboratory Services
- Mental Health
- Referral Management
- TRICARE
- Veterinary Services
Child Care
The Dover Air Force Base Child Development Center provides child care services on base. Full-day child care is offered for children six weeks to five years (not in kindergarten) and there is space-available hourly care offered by reservation only–parents are advised to call ahead to reserve space.
A free program called “Give Parents a Break” is provided on a monthly basis–the Dover AFB official site advises you to call your First Sergeant or the Airman and Family Readiness program to obtain a certificate of eligibility for this program.
Waiting lists at Dover AFB for CDC care require you to create an account at MilitaryChildcare.com. It’s best to begin the process as soon as you know you have orders to Dover; don’t delay.
Household Goods
Inbound personnel PCSing to Dover AFB are directed to track and manage their household goods shipments via the Defense Personal Property Network at Move.mil. You can get local assistance from the Dover AFB TMO office at (302) 677-2848.
Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue
Dover AFB Customer Support is responsible for ID Card service appointments. Walk-ins may not be possible due to demand, mission requirements, etc. Call Customer Support to schedule an appointment at DSN: 445-4585 or commercially at (302) 677-4585. Two forms of unexpired photo ID may be required for most services and at least one form of ID may be required to be REAL ID Act compliant.
Schools
School attendance is determined at least in part by address; those living on base have the option to send their children to Caesar Rodney School District schools including Major George S. Welch Elementary (K-5), Dover Air Base Middle School (6-8), and Rodney High School (9 – 12).
Those who live off base should plan on researching school districts in the local area; parents who want to live off base are encouraged to contact the Dover School Liaison Officer for school contact information and other educational resources. Call 302-677-6383. There is a network of public schools in Kent County and there are a variety of options in other areas including:
- Capital School District
- Lake Forest School District
- Milford School District
- Polytech School District
- Smyrna School District
Housing
Dover AFB housing is privatized and operated by Dover AFB Properties LLC. All PCSing troops headed to Dover are directed to contact the Dover AFB Housing Management Office before entering into any legally binding lease or purchase agreement for a home. Those who choose privatized housing “must have a referral form signed by one of our housing counselors before you can sign a lease with Dover AFB Properties LLC” according to the official site. Call 302-677-696 for more assistance. Single and unaccompanied service members assigned to Dover AFB may be required to live in dorms or barracks depending on current rank and other factors.
PCS and TDY Lodging
At Dover AFB, temporary lodging is provided by The Eagle’s Nest. Make reservations by calling DSN 312-445-2841 or 302-677-2841. If on-base lodging is not available you’ll be provided a list of approved off-base options but be sure to ask about a Certificate of Non-Availability so you can be reimbursed on your travel voucher for any off-base lodging required. Pet-friendly facilities may be extremely limited or not available–it’s best to ask in advance and book as soon as you have orders for best results.
Transportation
Dover AFB is within two hours driving distance of Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport.
No military shuttles area available from the airport but commercial services may be available depending on the time of your arrival, demand, etc. It’s best to coordinate with your sponsor for arrival plans–traffic from these airports will be a major issue and depending on when you arrive, it may be more complicated than other PCS flights taken to other destinations. The Dover AFB official site also advises you to contact the Dover AFB Airman & Family Readiness Center at 302-677-6930 for information about transportation from area airports. There is no base transportation available at Dover AFB.
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
All drivers operating privately owned vehicles on base are required to carry current vehicle registration, driver’s license, and proof of insurance. At the time of this writing, no base decals or stickers are required but be aware there is a 100% ID card check-in effect from 2200 hrs to 0600 hrs when entering the base.