Dover AFB, DE Installation Guide

LOCATION - WELCOME to Dover Air Force Base (AFB), located in the "First State" and the center of the Delmarva (Delaware, Maryland, & Virginia) Peninsula. The base is located two miles south of the city of Dover, the capital of Delaware. The base is within a short driving distance to a number of major metropolitan areas. The nation's Capital, Washington D.C., Philadelphia PA, Baltimore MD and Wilmington DE are within a 2-hour commute from Dover AFB. For those of you who are more adventurous, New York City is about a 3-hour drive to the north, and Virginia Beach/Norfolk VA area is about a 4-hour drive to the south.

HISTORY - Immediately after the United States entered World War II in 1941, the newly completed Dover municipal airfield was leased to the U.S. Army Air Corps and assigned to the Eastern Defense Command as a coastal patrol base. Since that time, Dover AFB has been the home of the 39th Bombardment Squadron, the First Air Force P-47 fighter pilot training, the Air Defense Command, the 148th Fighter Interceptor Squadron of the Pennsylvania National Guard, the 1607th Air Transport Wing, part of the Military Air Transportation Service(MATS),later redesignated the 436th Military Airlift Wing(MAW) under the Military Airlift Command(MAC).  Today, Dover is the home of the 436th Airlift Wing under the Air Mobility Command (AMC). It is the only all C-5 base in AMC, and can boast of having one-fourth of the nation's strategic airlift capability in its fleet of 36 of the world's largest airplanes. For a thorough history of the installation, please refer to the Dover AFB Home Page.

MISSION - Dover AFB is home to the 436th Airlift Wing - more commonly known as the "Eagle Wing" --- and the 512th Airlift Wing, our Reserve associate -- referred to as the "Liberty Wing." Together, these two Wings form the "Dover Team." The Dover Team's mission is to provide strategic global airlift capability.  Our impact can be seen all around the globe on a daily basis.  In order to accomplish our mission, Dover AFB also houses the world's largest Aerial Port, which moves more cargo than Federal Express and UPS combined.  Our port mortuary also plays a vital role as a place of honor where the remains of DoD personnel killed overseas are received.

POPULATION SERVED - There are more than 3,500 military, 1,200 civilians and 1,900 reservists with a total economic impact of approximately $376,000.00 per year. This ranks the air base as Delaware's fifth largest employer. Members from the base are actively involved in a variety of off- base activities and a strong base community program provides a forum and spirit for military and civilian cooperation at all levels. A mutually-beneficial relationship has always existed between base people and the citizens of the peninsula.

SPONSORSHIP - If you are relocating to Dover AFB, make sure you request a sponsor. A sponsor will send you a sponsor package which will contain extensive information about Dover AFB and the local community. If you do not hear from your sponsor, you can contact your gaining unit, whose phone number can be found under the "Major Unit Listing" link. If you are still unsuccessful, please contact the Family Support Center for assistance at (302) 677-6930 or DSN 445-6930. If you arrive at Dover after normal duty hours, the Eagles Rest Inn (lodging) office is the 24-hour arrival point. You can contact the Eagles Rest Inn at DSN 445-5983 or (302)677-5983. Detailed check-in procedures can be found in the "Check-in Procedures" topic within the "Installation" section of SITES.

NOTE: If you get married before you PCS, you MUST inform your commander and follow the procedures exactly as you are given. The military WILL NOT PAY for travel and housing of your spouse if you do not follow proper procedures.

TEMPORARY QUARTERS - Make your temporary lodging reservations as early as possible by calling the Eagles Rest Inn at DSN 445-2841 or (302) 677-2841. If on-base lodging is not available, lodging will provide a list of off-base facilities. No pets are allowed in base lodging. If you plan to travel with pets, make sure your sponsor is aware so that reservations with a local kennel can be made if necessary. Sponsors can make dorm room arrangements for single AF members that are required to reside in the dorm. If arrangements are not made and arrival is after duty hours or on a weekend/holiday, report to the 24-hour arrival point located in the lodging office (Eagles Rest Inn)located in Building 800.

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE - There are an abundance of resources and services offered by the Family Support Center and other base agencies that will help make your move less stressful. Base newcomer's orientation will be scheduled for personnel during in-processing. Spouses are invited to attend. The orientation is a half day long and is usually  held the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. Since household goods are sometimes delayed in shipment, the Loan Closet at the Family Support Center has a supply of items for you to borrow. Items include; irons, cribs, futons, TV/VCR combos, microwaves, cooking and eating utensils and tables and chairs. Also at the Family Support Center newcomers can receive vouchers for up to 20 hours of free childcare funded by the Air Force Aid Society under the PCS Childcare Program. For more detailed information, call the Family Support Center at DSN 445-6930 or (302) 677-6930.

CRITICAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION - Military members must notify correspondents of changes of address before leaving their present duty assignment. Upon receiving PCS orders, contact the local Postal Service Center (PSC) and complete an Air Force Form 624 for change of address. The temporary mailing address at Dover AFB is:  Rank and Name, 442 13th Street, General Delivery, Dover AFB, DE 19902
For additional information, the PSC can be reached at Commercial (302)677-6387 or DSN 445-6387. To ensure your mail is held and not forwarded from Dover AFB after 15 days, you must call the PSC at Dover at DSN 445-6387, give your name, social security number, and expected date of arrival. Upon arrival, provide the PSC with a copy of your orders. Also remember that when you move you need to notify DEERS of your new address. You can do this at the Customer Service section of the Military Personnel Flight, located in Bldg 520, and request to update your DEERS information. Dover AFB housing is privatized. Please reference the Housing section for further information.

Must Know Items

Community Readiness Consultant (CRC)	263 Chad Street, 1st Floor Bldg 263 Dover AFB, DE 19902-5263 Phone: (302) 677-6930 Fax: (302) 677-6477 DSN: 445-6930 DSN Fax: 445-6477 Email: doverfsc@amc.af.mil Relocation Core Competency Expert
Community Readiness Technician (CRT)	263 Chad Street, 1st Floor Bldg 263 Dover AFB, DE 19902-5263 Phone: (302) 677-6930 Fax: (302) 677-6477 DSN: 445-6930 DSN Fax: 445-6477
Family Support Center (FSC) Director	263 Chad Street, 1st Floor Bldg 263 Dover AFB, DE 19902-5263 Phone: (302) 677-6930 Fax: (302) 677-6477 DSN: 445-6930 DSN Fax: 445-6477 Email: doverfsc@amc.af.mil
Family Support Center Mailing Address	263 Chad Street, 1st Floor Bldg 263 Dover AFB, DE 19902-5263 Phone: (302) 677-6930 Fax: (302) 677-6477 DSN: 445-6930 DSN Fax: 445-6477 Email: doverfsc@amc.af.mil
Family Support Center	263 Chad Street, 1st Floor Bldg 263 Dover AFB, DE 19902-5263 Phone: (302) 677-6930 Fax: (302) 677-6477 DSN: 445-6930 DSN Fax: 445-6477 Email: doverfsc@amc.af.mil
Official Homepage	263 Chad Street, 1st Floor 436 MSS/DPF Dover AFB, DE 19902 Phone: (302) 677-6930 Fax: (302) 677-6477 DSN: 445-6930 DSN Fax: 445-6477 URL: https://private.dover.amc.af.mil/home_index.htm Dover AFB Homepage
Street Address	263 Chad Street, 1st Floor Bldg 263 Dover AFB, DE 19902-5263 Phone: (302) 677-6930 Fax: (302) 677-6477 DSN: 445-6930 DSN Fax: 445-6477 Email: doverfsc@amc.af.mil