Welcome to Dover Air Force Base (AFB), located in the "First State" and the center of the Delmarva (Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia) Peninsula. The base is located two miles south of the city of Dover, in Kent County, the capital of Delaware. 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 all within a 2-hour commute from Dover AFB. The base operator's phone number is 302-677-3000 or DSN 312-445-3000.

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). For a thorough history of the installation, please refer to the Dover AFB homepage.

Dover Air Force Base is home to the 436th Airlift Wing, commonly known as the "Eagle Wing" and the 512th Airlift Wing, the Reserve associate, as the "Liberty Wing." Team Dover refers to both of the Wings.  Dover is home to the C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III.  Team Dover's mission focus is to safely fix and fly aircraft, prepare and deploy Airmen, move cargo, and return America's fallen heroes with dignity, honor and respect.

Part of Dover AFB's mission is to provide strategic global airlift capability. The impact from Dover's mission can be seen all around the globe on a daily basis. Dover AFB is home to the Department of Defense's largest and most technologically-advanced aerial port. Dover AFB also operates as the only Continental US Port Mortuary in the Department of Defense. The mortuary plays a vital role as a place of honor where the remains of DoD servicemembers killed overseas are received.

There are 3,500 military, 1,200 civilians and 1,900 reservists with a total economic impact of approximately $470 million per year. This ranks the air base as Delaware's third largest employer.

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. If you are still unsuccessful, please contact the  Airman and Family Readiness Center for assistance at 302-677-6930 or DSN 312-445-6930.

If you arrive at Dover after normal duty hours, the Eagles Rest Inn's (lodging) office is the 24-hour arrival point. You can contact the Eagles Rest Inn at DSN 312-445-5983 or 302-677-5983. 

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, General Delivery, Dover AFB, DE 19902. For additional information, the PSC can be reached at 302-677-6387 or DSN 312-445-6387. To ensure your mail is held and not forwarded from Dover AFB after 15 days, you must call the PSC at Dover at DSN 312-445-6387 or 302-677-6387, give your name, social security number, and expected date of arrival. Upon arrival, provide the PSC with a copy of your orders.

Make your temporary lodging reservations as early as possible by calling the Eagles Rest Inn at DSN 312-445-2841 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) in Building 800.

There is an abundance of resources and services offered by the Airman and Family Readiness 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.

Also at the Airman and Family Readiness 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 Airman and Family Readiness Center at DSN 312-445-6930 or 302-677-6930.

Upon arrival report to your duty section. Your squadron will assist you with your mandatory appointments to include the Newcomer's Orientation. Newcomer's Orientation is being held every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Spouses are highly encouraged to attend.

The monthly Inbound Spouse Orientation is held at Hunt Community Center, 1069 High Street, for new spouses coming to Dover AFB. Information provided for spouses to learn about Child Care Services, Education Opportunities, Inbound Relocation Program/Resources, School Liaison Program, Spouse Employment, Spouse Clubs, and Volunteer Opportunities. This is a great time to network and to get connected to your new community!

The Newcomer's Social, Information Fair and Windshield Bus Tour is held in the afternoon following the Newcomer's Orientation. This opportunity will allow you and your spouse to meet and greet your unit leadership, enjoy the information fair featuring on-base agencies, and the windshild bus tour of the Dover AFB and the City of Dover. The information fair includes colleges, banks, Enlisted & Officers' club, Commissary, BX, Family Advocacy, TRICARE, Civilian Personnel, NAF employment, Library, Airman & Family Readiness Center, Chamber of Commerce and much more!

PCS Child Care can be ulitilized for the Newcomer's Orientation, Social, and Information Fair, Bus Tour, and Inbound Spouse Orientation. Please contact the Airman & Family Readiness Center, 846 Sumner Drive, Building #846, prior to the program/event to get your voucher.

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.

Vehicle insurance in Delaware can be expensive, be sure to research rates in advance so that you have sufficient funds available.

Hurricanes are a possibility in Delaware. The hurricane season runs from 1 Jun to 30 Nov. New residents should become knowledgeable of hurricane preparations and safety precautions.

Ensure member and/or dependents have the required passports and/or visa prior to final out-processing. Member and/or dependents are not allowed to final out-process without the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents. Members electing the accompanied tour will not be permitted to out-process without having the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.

These actions are necessary to prevent unforeseen hardships to the military members and their families. Therefore, as a last reiteration, it is essential, members do not out-process without having the appropriate passports/visas for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.

Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations (AFMAO) was created Dec. 15, 2008, as a named activity of the Directorate of Services, Manpower and Personnel, Headquarters United States Air Force. The new organization was activated Jan. 6, 2009.  It is AFMAO's mission and privilege to fulfill the nation's sacred commitment of ensuring dignity, honor and respect to the fallen and care, service and support to their families. A solemn dignified transfer of remains is conducted upon arrival at Dover Air Force Base, DE, from the aircraft to a transfer vehicle to honor those who have given their lives in the service of the country. The AFMAO has a total force staff consisting of active duty Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines as well as Guardsmen, Reservists and civilians. The staff also consists of representatives from federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner who are responsible for the complete processing of remains. The staff utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to establish positive identification through DNA, dental and fingerprint analysis and autopsy the remains to determine cause of death. The staff also prepares fallen members for transport to their final destination as determined by the family. The AFMAO is located at the Charles C. Carlson Center for Mortuary Affairs, 116 Purple Heart Drive and by contacting DSN 312-445-2275/ 302-677-2275.