Pope Army Airfield

Branch: U.S. Air Force (tenant on U.S. Army installation)
Location: Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Installation Type: Army Airfield (Air Force-operated)
Status: Active

Overview

Pope Army Airfield is located within the boundaries of Fort Bragg (officially renamed from Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg as of 2025), one of the largest military installations in the world, in Cumberland County, North Carolina. Originally established as Camp Pope in 1919, the airfield has served as a key tactical airlift hub and has a long history of supporting Army airborne and special operations forces. Pope was formerly Pope Air Force Base until 2011, when Air Force flying operations were transferred to Seymour Johnson AFB and the installation was redesignated as Pope Army Airfield under Army control, with the Air Force retaining an operational tenant presence.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Provide tactical airlift and airdrop support to Army airborne and special operations forces at Fort Bragg, enabling rapid deployment and joint forcible entry operations.
Major Units:
43rd Air Mobility Wing (Air Force — primary Air Force unit at Pope AAF, providing C-130H airlift and airdrop)
440th Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve — C-130H operations)
U.S. Army XVIII Airborne Corps (Fort Bragg host unit)
82nd Airborne Division (primary supported Army unit)
Tenant Units: U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) aviation support elements, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) associated aviation units

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Fayetteville, NC — approximately 10 miles east; Raleigh, NC — approximately 80 miles northeast
Nearest Commercial Airport: Fayetteville Regional Airport (FAY), approximately 12 miles from Pope AAF; Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), approximately 90 miles northeast
Gate Access: Pope AAF is accessed through Fort Bragg gates; multiple gates serve the broader installation. A valid DoD ID or CAC is required for unescorted access. Visitors must obtain passes at Fort Bragg visitor control centers. Gate hours vary by location.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 1,000-2,000 Air Force personnel at Pope AAF specifically; Fort Bragg overall houses approximately 50,000+ active duty soldiers and airmen
Family Members: Not publicly available (Fort Bragg-wide family member population exceeds 100,000)
Civilian Employees: Approximately 500-1,000 Air Force civilians at Pope AAF
Total Installation Population: Not publicly available for Pope AAF specifically

Key Facilities

Medical: Womack Army Medical Center (WAMC) at Fort Bragg is the primary military treatment facility — a full-service inpatient hospital; Dental and specialty clinics also available on Fort Bragg
Commissary: Yes — multiple commissaries on Fort Bragg serve the installation; accessible to all authorized Pope AAF personnel
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Fort Bragg has a large Main Exchange (PX); Air Force personnel use Army Exchange facilities on Fort Bragg
Fitness & Recreation: Access to Fort Bragg’s extensive recreation infrastructure including multiple fitness centers, pools, golf courses, bowling centers, and recreation centers; Pope AAF may have its own smaller fitness facility
Schools: Cumberland County Schools (CCS) serves the Fort Bragg community; DoDEA operates Albritton Middle School and other schools on Fort Bragg proper for eligible families
Childcare: Child Development Centers (CDCs) on Fort Bragg; high demand; Air Force families at Pope AAF are eligible to use Fort Bragg CDCs; waitlists are common
Veterinary Services: Fort Bragg Veterinary Treatment Facility — provides routine care, vaccinations, and preventive services; accessible to Air Force personnel assigned to Pope AAF
Legal Assistance / JAG: Air Force legal assistance available through the 43rd AW Staff Judge Advocate; Fort Bragg also has Army JAG offices; powers of attorney, wills, notary services available; appointment recommended

Housing

On-Base Housing: Fort Bragg housing managed by Corvias Military Living; wide variety of neighborhoods across the installation; Air Force families assigned to Pope AAF are eligible for Fort Bragg family housing
Average Wait Time: Variable; Fort Bragg has a large housing inventory but demand is high; waitlists possible for certain ranks and family sizes
Off-Base Housing: Fayetteville, Spring Lake, Hope Mills, and Raeford are popular communities; average rent for a 3-bedroom home ranges approximately $1,200-$1,700/month (2024 estimates); Fort Bragg BAH rates are generally sufficient for the local market
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Sponsors assigned through the gaining Air Force unit (43rd AW or 440th AW); contact the unit First Sergeant or orderly room to request a sponsor prior to arrival
In-Processing: Air Force members report to the 43rd AW in-processing point at Pope AAF; process covers finance, medical, housing, and unit check-in; members also coordinate with Fort Bragg for base-wide services
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Air Force EFMP managed through the Airman & Family Readiness Center; Fort Bragg Exceptional Family Member Program also available for Army-affiliated services; Cumberland County and the greater Fayetteville area have special education and medical support resources

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical (Cfa); hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching 90-95 degrees F; mild winters with occasional ice and freezing rain rather than heavy snow; spring and fall are pleasant; moderate rainfall year-round
Cost of Living: Low to moderate — Fayetteville and the surrounding area have a low cost of living; housing, groceries, and utilities are below the national average; a significant portion of the local economy is military-dependent
Nearby Attractions: Cape Fear River Trail, Airborne and Special Operations Museum (Fayetteville), Carolina Beach (approximately 90 miles southeast), Raven Rock State Park, Pinehurst golf courses (approximately 30 miles northwest)
Spouse Employment: Fayetteville’s economy is heavily dependent on Fort Bragg, which limits private-sector diversity; healthcare and education offer some opportunities; remote work is increasingly viable; A&FRC and Military Spouse Employment Partnership resources available

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.pope.af.mil/
Main Installation Phone: (910) 394-1110
MWR Website: Fort Bragg MWR — https://www.fortbraggmwr.com/
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), 43rd Force Support Squadron, Pope AAF — (910) 394-4647

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: pope.af.mil, militaryinstallations.dod.mil, 43rd Airlift Wing public affairs, Fort Bragg official resources, public DoD records; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law