Dover Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Dover, Delaware
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Dover Air Force Base is located near Dover, the capital of Delaware, and serves as the Air Mobility Command’s busiest aerial port on the East Coast and the largest military airlift base in the eastern United States. Home to the 436th Airlift Wing and the associate 512th Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve), Dover operates the C-5M Super Galaxy, the largest aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory, as well as C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. Dover AFB also houses the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations (AFMAO), the primary military mortuary for U.S. Armed Forces personnel killed in theater, and the Air Force’s only port mortuary.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Provide worldwide strategic airlift and aeromedical evacuation; serve as the Air Force’s premier eastern airlift installation; operate Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations as the primary military mortuary for America’s fallen.
Major Units: 436th Airlift Wing (host wing, active duty C-5M and C-17 operations); 512th Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve, associate wing); 436th Operations Group; Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations (AFMAO)
Tenant Units: Defense Courier Service; Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI); various DOD agencies

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Dover, DE (state capital) immediately adjacent; Philadelphia, PA – approximately 80 miles north; Baltimore, MD – approximately 90 miles southwest; Washington, D.C. – approximately 100 miles southwest
Nearest Commercial Airport: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) approximately 80 miles; Wilmington Airport (ILG) approximately 50 miles
Gate Access: North Gate (primary) on Route 9; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; 24-hour main gate access for military ID holders

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 4,000
Family Members: Approximately 5,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 3,000 (including significant contractor workforce)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 12,000

Key Facilities

Medical: 436th Medical Group Clinic; primary care, dental, behavioral health, and preventive medicine; specialty referrals to civilian hospitals in Dover or the Philadelphia/Baltimore corridor; Dover has Bayhealth Medical Center for local emergencies
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES main exchange and food court on base
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness center; outdoor pool; bowling center; auto skills center; Dover Downs Speedway and entertainment nearby; Delaware beaches accessible (60-90 miles)
Schools: Caesar Rodney School District and Capital School District serve military families; no DoDEA schools on base; Delaware public schools generally acceptable
Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) on base; waitlists common; contact Child and Youth Services at (302) 677-3031
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness exams and preventive care; call for appointments
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office, 436th Wing; appointment-based; (302) 677-4518

Housing

On-Post Housing: Privatized housing managed by Lincoln Military Housing; approximately 1,100 units; townhomes and single-family homes; condition generally good
Average Wait Time: Typically 30-60 days; off-post housing readily available
Off-Post Housing: Dover and surrounding Kent County communities; Smyrna, Camden, and Middletown are popular; average rent approximately $1,300-$2,000/month for 3-bedroom; Delaware has no sales tax, making it favorable for purchasing; proximity to Philadelphia and Baltimore metro provides broader options for families willing to commute
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit or 436th Wing upon receipt of orders; active sponsorship program available
In-Processing: 436th Airlift Wing in-processing center; typically 2-3 days; newcomer orientation available
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Airman and Family Readiness Center; enrollment required; Dover area has limited specialist medical services; Philadelphia and Baltimore are accessible for complex cases

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical transitional; warm humid summers (average high 86F/30C in July); cold winters (average low 24F/-4C in January); moderate rainfall year-round; occasional nor’easter snowstorms in winter; hurricane season awareness
Cost of Living: Low to moderate; Delaware has no sales tax; Dover and Kent County are affordable; proximity to Northeast corridor moderately affects cost
Nearby Attractions: Delaware Beaches (Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, 60-75 miles); Annapolis, MD (1.5 hours); Washington, D.C. (1.5 hours); Philadelphia (1.5 hours); Chesapeake Bay recreation; Delaware’s First State heritage sites
Spouse Employment: Limited local job market in Dover; Philadelphia and Baltimore corridors offer significantly more employment; defense contractors in the region; healthcare and education employment locally; remote work common; A&FRC assists with employment

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.dover.af.mil
Main Installation Phone: (302) 677-3000
MWR Website: https://doverafbmwr.com (verify current URL)
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), Dover AFB; (302) 677-6373; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.dover.af.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/dover-air-force-base; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DoverAirForce_Base; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law