Dover Air Force Base, strategically situated in central Delaware adjacent to the state capital city of Dover, is a powerhouse of global reach for Air Mobility Command (AMC). Since its activation in the early days of World War II, Dover AFB has grown into one of the most important strategic airlift hubs in the U.S. Air Force, operating the largest and busiest aerial port in the Department of Defense. Its East Coast location provides vital access for missions supporting Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

The host unit, the 436th Airlift Wing, often called the “Eagle Wing,” is responsible for the safe and efficient worldwide transport of outsized cargo and personnel. They accomplish this mission utilizing two of the Air Force’s largest airlifters: the massive C-5M Super Galaxy and the versatile C-17 Globemaster III. The 436th AW works in close partnership with the 512th Airlift Wing, the “Liberty Wing,” an Air Force Reserve Command associate unit that shares in flying and maintaining the same aircraft, exemplifying the Total Force concept.

Beyond its primary airlift mission, Dover AFB is entrusted with a uniquely solemn and critical responsibility as home to Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations (AFMAO) and the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs. This center serves as the single port of entry for all U.S. service members who perish overseas, providing dignity, honor, and respect to fallen heroes and compassionate care for their families. This sacred mission underscores the profound commitment of the Dover AFB community.

Military members and their families stationed at Dover AFB benefit from its central location, offering access to major East Coast metropolitan areas like Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C., as well as Delaware’s popular beaches. The base maintains strong ties with the Dover community and the state of Delaware, contributing significantly to the local economy while executing its vital global airlift and mortuary affairs missions with unwavering dedication.