Dover Air Force Base

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 all within a 2-hour commute from Dover AFB. The base operator's phone number is 302-677-3000 or DSN 312-445-3000.

History

Immediately after the U.S. entered WW 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. By Christmas of that year, the 112th Observation Squadron, a federalized Ohio National Guard unit, flew the first missions from the field. During the next 55 years, a variety of flying organizations would call Dover home. Eventually, the base became home to the only all-C-5 wing in Air Mobility Command and the largest, busiest airport facility on the U.S. east coast.

Early in 1942, a construction program began extending the runway and making the airfield suitable for operation of heavy aircraft. In April, the 39th Bombardment Squadron equipped with B-25 "Mitchell" medium bombers, conducted anti-submarine patrols. In February 1943, the 39th Bombardment Squadron moved to Fort Dix Army Field, New Jersey and Dover closed to air traffic until completion of runway construction. The 7,000 foot runway and 29,000 square yards of paved apron would be completed in August 1943 when the airfield reopened. The Army Air Forces used Dover as a training base for hundreds of P-47 Thunderbolt fighter pilots. These pilots earned their wings under the watchful eyes of live combat instructors.

In addition to fighter pilot training, the base became a site for the development of air launched rockets, manned by a special unit of the Air Technical Service Command. The weapons construction and experimentation played a decisive role in the final phase of the Second World War.

After the war, Dover Army Airfield became a pre-separation processing center, until its inactivation. The field reactivated in 1951 and was assigned under the Air Defense Command. The 148th Fighter Interceptor Squadron of the Pennsylvania National Guard was assigned to Dover and a year later the 80th Air Base Squadron activated, maintained and provided support services for the squadron and three other units.

On 1 April 1952, the Military Air Transport Services (MATS) assumed command jurisdiction over Dover and the base began its important strategic airlift mission, which it continues to this day. In a little more than a year, four support units of MATS Atlantic Division set up on the base and became the nucleus that formed the 1607th Air Transport Wing (ATW). The 1607 ATW activated on 1 January 1954 and took over host unit responsibility for Dover. MATS re-designated as Military Airlift Command (MAC) 1 January 1966. Simultaneously, the 436th Military Airlift Wing replaced the inactivated 1607 ATW as host wing for Dover Air Force Base.

Dover Air Force Base continued to shine in the eyes of military and local community leaders and the general public. This fact was best exemplified when Dover Air Force Base won the 2008 Commander-in-Chief Installation Excellence award and became Air Force's runner-up in the 2010 competition. This award was given annually by high ranking senior Air Force officials to the best base in the entire Air Force. This event also marked the first time that this award was captured by any Air Mobility Command installation.

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 all within a 2-hour commute from Dover AFB.

Directions

Directions to Dover AFB

Airports

There are two major airports that are located approximately two hours from Dover AFB. They are Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) and Philadelphia International Airport.

There are no military shuttles or mass transit that run from the airport to the base.

Rental cars are available at the airports. There are several shuttles/taxi services that run from these major airports to the base. Please contact your sponsor or the Airman & Family Readiness Center at 302-677-6930 for contact numbers.

Directions from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) 

Take 1-97 south to US Routes 50/301 (near Annapolis, MD). Drive east on 50/301 toward the Bay Bridge (a toll bridge -$4.00 for an automobile). After crossing the bridge, continue traveling route 50/301 east until you reach Queenstown, MD. The highway splits at this point. Go north on 301 until you come to road 300, take a right and go until you reach Road 44, where you turn right again. Stay on 44 until it joins Route 8, and continue to Dover. Keep going east through town until you intersect US Highway 13, and take a right (south). Bear left onto 113 from 13, past the Blue Hen Corporate Center, then bear right onto State Route 113/1 highway. Take Exit 93 to Dover AFB Main Gate exit.

Directions from Philadelphia International Airport 

Take I-95 south to Dover. Stay south on either 495 or I-95. Head I-95 south (Baltimore). Take exit 4A off of I-95 south toward Christiana Mall and follow signs for Route 1 south to Dover. On this highway you will have two toll booths for $1.00 each and $3.00 on the weekends. Take exit 93 for Dover AFB Main Gate.

Driving Directions

Directions if Driving from Washington DC

If you will be coming in from I-95, from the south, stay on I-95 until you reach the exit for route 50 east. Follow route 50 east (it becomes routes 50 & 301) to the Bay Bridge (a toll bridge - $4.00 for an automobile). After crossing the bridge, continue traveling route 50/301 east until you reach Queenstown, MD. The highway splits at this point. Go north on route 301 until you come to Road 300, take a right and go until you reach Road 44, where you turn right again. Stay on 44 until it joins Route 8, and continue to Dover. Keep going east through town until you intersect U.S. Highway 13, and take a right (south). Bear left onto 113 from 13, pass the Blue Hen Corporate Center, then bear right onto State Route 113/1 highway. Take Exit 93 to Dover AFB Main Gate.

Directions if Driving from Baltimore, MD

Take 1-97 south to Route 50/301 and go east toward the Bay Bridge ($4.00 per automobile). Follow instructions listed above as if driving in from Washington, DC.

Directions if Driving from Norfolk-Virginia Beach Area

Take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (Toll road $13.00 off peak each way and $15.00 peak each way, May-Sept) to Route 13 on the Delmarva Peninsula. Follow Route 13 north to State Route 10, turn right (east). Continue to the Main Gate by taking a left hand turn in front of McDonalds and following the road around to the entrance of the main gate at Exit 93.

Directions if Driving from Wilmington, DE

Get on State Route 1 and use Exit 93 to enter the Main Gate.

Transportation Resources (Airport Shuttle Services)

Rental cars are available at the airport. There are several shuttles/taxi services that run from these major airports to the base. Please contact your sponsor or the A&FRC for contact numbers. Some numbers are listed here for your convienence. Please note these services are used as a resource only - Dover AFB A&FRC does not endorse these organizations.

• Five Star Limo: 1-800-717-1646/302-674-8448
• Gateway Limo Service: 302-399-6393/1-800-457-9906 

NOTE: The average cost for shuttles is about $180.00 one-way and a taxi is about $327.00 one-way. Please plan accordingly.