Dover Air Force Base is located 2 miles southeast of Dover, Delaware, the state’s capital, in Kent County. The base sits on approximately 3,177 acres and serves as a critical hub for U.S. Air Force operations.
Dover AFB is home to the 436th Airlift Wing, according to the official base website. The installation operates the largest air freight terminal in the Department of Defense, handling cargo and personnel transport across the globe.
The base operates both C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, which are among the largest military transport planes in service. These aircraft enable strategic airlift operations for the Department of Defense.
Dover AFB has two gates—the Main Gate and the Commercial Gate—both located along Delaware Route 1, south of the city of Dover. The base is approximately 85 miles from Philadelphia, 100 miles from Washington D.C., and 80 miles from Baltimore.
The base was originally established as a municipal airfield and was leased to the U.S. Army Air Corps during the early 20th century. It has since evolved into one of the most important military logistics facilities in the United States.
Sources
- Wikipedia — location and coordinates of Dover Air Force Base
- Dover AFB Official Website — information about the 436th Airlift Wing and base operations
- MilitaryINSTALLATIONS — base overview and geographic details
- REPI (Real Property Inventory) — acreage and Kent County location
- PCS Grades — air freight terminal designation
