DOVER AIR FORCE BASE: IN-DEPTH WELCOME CENTER

Introduction

Welcome to your new home connected to the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base! Dover AFB is located in the “first state” at the center of the Delmarva (Delaware, Maryland and Virginia) Peninsula. It’s a great place to live and work as it is the home to the Department of Defense’s largest aerial port. The base employs nearly 9,000 Airmen and joint service members, civilians and families. Its personnel are responsible for global airlift aboard assigned C-5M Super Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. Additionally, the 436th Airlift Wing hosts key partners, such as the Air Force Reserve's 512th Airlift Wing, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System and the Joint Personal Effects Depot, jointly responsible for the dignified return of fallen American service members. The military installation traces its roots back to March 1941 when the U.S. Army Air Corps indicated a need for the airfield as a training airfield and assumed jurisdiction over the municipal airport at Dover, Delaware. In April 1943, the name of the airfield was changed from Municipal Airport, Dover Airdrome to Dover Army Air Base. With the establishment of the U.S. Air Force on Sept. 18, 1947, the facility was renamed Dover Air Force Base in January 1948. Continue reading for an in-depth guide to help aid you in your transition to living and working on Dover Air Force Base. 1. Where Is Dover Air Force Base? 2. Google Map View 3. Getting There – Directions to the Base 4. Entering Dover Air Force Base and Amenities

• Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel
• Dover Air Force Base Visitor Center
• Dover Air Force Base DEERS Office
• Dover Air Force Base Gate Hours
• Dover Air Force Base Commissary
• Dover Air Force Base BX
• Dover Air Force Base Barber Shops
• Dover Air Force Base Post Office
• Dover Air Force Base Finance Office
• Dover Air Force Base Legal Office
• Dover Air Force Base Library
• Dover Air Force Base Hotels

5. Where Should I Live Near Dover Air Force Base? 6. What Schools are Near Dover Air Force Base? 7. What’s the Weather Like in Dover Air Force Base? 8. Things to Do Near Dover Air Force Base

Where Is Dover Air Force Base?

Dover Air Force Base Welcome Center

331 Main Gate Way Bldg. 331 Dover AFB, DE 19902

Phone

: 1 (302) 677-3645

Dover AFB Map

Dover AFB Directions

Public Transportation

The nearest Amtrak stop to Dover Air Force Base is in Dover, roughly 5 miles away. This stop will connect you to areas around New England. Alternatively, you could take a Greyhound bus from Dover and connect to New York City, Philadelphia, Atlantic City and most other major cities along the East Coast.

Flights to Dover Air Force Base, DE

The closest major airport to Dover Air Force Base is Philadelphia International Airport. It’s about 70 miles from the front gates of Dover Air Force Base. The airport is served by nearly all major airlines via daily direct or connecting flights.

Driving Directions to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware

1. If you drive from the airport, follow the signs for Interstate 95 South.
2. Use the right two lanes to tax exit 4A toward DE-1 South.
3. Take exit 93 toward Dover AFB/Main Gate Visitors.
4. Stay on 13th Street and follow the signs for Dover AFB.

Dover AFB Transportation Office

Dover Air Force Base Personal Property & Passenger Movements

550 Eagle Way Bldg. 550 Dover AFB, DE 19902

Phone

: 1 (302) 677-4386

Dover Air Force Base Personal Property & Passenger Movements Hours

• Monday through Friday

  - 0800 to 1600

Entering Dover Air Force Base and Amenities

If you don’t yet have a DOD-issued identification, you will be subject to a background check at the Visitor Control Center before you’re allowed to enter Dover Air Force Base. Click here to learn more about where to go.

Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel

Upon arrival, notify your sponsor immediately and/or report to Military Personnel Flight with your PCS orders. The MPF reception desk is manned during duty hours only and is closed the first Wednesday of the month for training. Important documents to hand carry include your orders, lodging confirmation number, sponsor's phone number, commander's phone number, birth certificates, marriage license, Social Security cards, car registration, pet health certificates and vaccination records, school records and immunizations records. If you have not heard from your sponsor, please contact the Dover AFB Traffic Management Office at 1 (302) 677-4382.

Dover Air Force Base Military Personnel Flight

Bldg. 520 Dover AFB, DE 19902

Phone

: 1 (302) 677-3728

Dover Air Force Base Military Personnel Flight Hours

• Monday through Friday

  : 0800 to 1600

Dover Air Force Base Airman & Family Readiness Center

846 Sumner Drive Dover AFB, DE 19901

Phone

: 1 (302) 677-6930

Dover Air Force Base Airman & Family Readiness Center Hours

• Monday through Friday

  : 0800 to 1700

Dover AFB Visitor Center

Dover Air Force Base Welcome Center

331 Main Gate Way Bldg. 331 Dover AFB, DE 19902

Phone

: 1 (302) 677-3645

Dover Air Force Base Welcome Center Hours

• Monday through Friday

  - 0630 to 1730

Note

: Vehicle Search Area is open 24/7.

DEERS Dover AFB

The Dover Air Force Base DEERS Office is an appointment-based system. Update DEERS due to marriage, divorce, birthday or death. You can also renew or get issued your CAC/ID cards. To schedule an appointment, click here.

Dover Air Force Base DEERS Office

520 Main Gate Way Dover AFB, DE 19902

Phone

: 1 (302) 677-4585

Dover Air Force Base DEERS Office Hours

• Monday through Friday

  - 0800 to 1530

Dover AFB Gate Hours

There are three gates that provide access to Dover Air Force Base.

• Main Gate

  - Open 24/7.

• North Gate

  - Closed until further notice.

• South Gate

  - Open for outbound traffic only, Monday through Friday - 0500 to 1930 and Saturday - 0600 to 1330.

Dover AFB Commissary

The Dover Air Force Base Commissary lets you save your hard-earned dollars when shopping for groceries at the commissary. In-store amenities and specialties include an ATM, a bakery, a deli, great produce, special orders of produce, meats or sushi, NFC mobile payments and more.

Dover Air Force Base Commissary

268 Galaxy St. Dover AFB, DE 19902

Phone

: 1 (302) 677-3919

Dover Air Force Base Commissary Hours

• Tuesday through Saturday

  - 0900 to 1800

• Sunday

  - 1100 to 1800

Dover AFB BX

The Dover Air Force Base Exchange is right next to the Commissary and offers an assortment of health and beauty care, small appliances, electronics, toys and more. There is also a food court, dry cleaner, eye doctor and 24-hour gas pumps.

Dover Air Force Base Exchange

266 Galaxy St. Dover AFB, DE 19902

Phone:

1 (302) 678-2515

Dover Air Force Base Exchange Hours

• Monday through Friday

  - 0900 to 1800

• Saturday

  - 1000 to 1800

• Sunday

  - 1000 to 1700

Dover AFB Barber Shop

There is one barber shop on base. It is open from 0900 to 1700 Monday through Saturday. Call for more information.

Main Exchange Barber Shop - Bldg. 266

Phone

: 1 (302) 734-1747

Dover AFB Post Office

The official mail center is located near the Welcome Center. It is open from 0900 to 1630 Monday through Friday. It is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays.

Dover Air Force Base Post Office

442 13th St. Dover AFB, DE 19902

Phone

: 1 (302) 677-6196

Dover Air Force Base Post Office Hours

• Monday through Friday

  - 0900 to 1630

Dover AFB Finance

The Dover Air Force Base Finance Office has resources available to help you understand and manage your finances, including one-on-one counseling to assist your family with financial readiness, from basic planning to long-term investing.

Dover Air Force Base Finance Office

520 Main Gate Way Dover AFB, DE 19902

Phone

: 1 (302) 677-4486

Dover Air Force Base Finance Office Hours

• Monday through Friday

  : 0800 to 1600

Dover AFB Legal Office

The Dover AFB Legal Assistance Office provides legal advice and assistance to eligible clients, including active duty, retired, and dependents with a military ID card. Servicemembers and their families and military retirees can receive personal legal assistance on civil matters, including questions about wills, domestic matters and consumer issues. The office also processes claims for damage to, or loss of, household goods and other personal property during permanent change of station or temporary duty shipments and vandalism occurring on base. Call for hours or to make an appointment.

Dover Air Force Base Legal Office

Bldg. 200 Dover AFB, DE 19902

Phone

: 1 (302) 677-3300

Dover Air Force Base Legal Office Hours

• To make an appointment with the Legal Assistance Office, call 1 (302) 677-3300.

Dover AFB Library

The Dover Air Force Base Library is permanently closed.

Dover Air Force Base Library

262 Chad St. Bldg. 206 Dover AFB, DE 19902 The Dover Public Library is only a short drive from Dover AFB. Visit here for more information and directions.

Dover AFB Hotels

The Eagle’s Rest, Air Force Inn, on base offers temporary lodging for visitors and military personnel who are in-processing or leaving for a new duty station. The hotel offers travelers amenities such as a business center, fitness room, laundry facilities and pet-friendly rooms.

Eagle’s Rest

800 Green Way Dover AFB, DE 19902

Phone

: 1 (302) 677-2840

Eagle’s Rest Office Hours

• Open 24/7

Hot Tip: Download MyBaseGuide’s Dover Air Force Base Military Relocation Guide for information about hotels nearby.

Where Should I Live Near Dover Air Force Base?

Cities Near Dover Air Force Base

There is one main city near Dover AFB. Most people stationed at Dover AFB choose to live in Dover as it offers big-city conveniences and a short commute to work. If you’re considering living on base, check out the available on-base housing options. Otherwise, read on to find out more about living off base.

Best Places to Live Near Dover Air Force Base

Dover, DE

The capital city of Delaware and county seat of Kent County, Dover counts more than 38,000 residents within its 23 square miles. It is less than four miles from Dover AFB’s Main Gate. The city was officially laid out in 1717 by a special commission of the Delaware General Assembly. The state’s capital was moved here in 1777 from New Castle because of its central location and safety from British raiders on the Delaware River. Today, Dover is Delaware’s second-largest city with Dover AFB greatly influencing its growth. The city has a lot to offer its residents with an international speedway, museums, casinos, annual events and tons of open space where you can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, camping, paddling and more!

Hot Tip: Look for Dover Air Force Base homes and apartments for rent or sale, and find BAH, PCS, TLA & ETS military housing information at AHRN.com.

Dover AFB Schools

Delaware has some really great public and private schools. Many of them regularly score 10/10 or 9/10 for academic performance and equity. If you’re living on base, your children will attend schools in the Caesar Rodney School District. There are two elementary schools and one middle school on base. High school students attend Caesar Rodney HIgh School, which is off base. Wherever they attend, rest assured that they’ll have access to the finest education possible. And if your child requires extra help, there are a number of programs available. Dover AFB’s School Support Services provide school-aged children resources and information to help achieve academic success. The on-base school liaison officer is also available to help make the tough transition to a new school easier. Check out our full guide to Dover AFB schools for a more detailed rundown.

Dover AFB Weather

You’ll enjoy hot and humid summers, cold winters and all four seasons at Dover Air Force Base. The winters are moderated by the Delaware Bay and the partial shielding of the nearby Appalachians, though there are days where the daily highs remain below freezing. Snow is light and sporadic, averaging only about a foot a year. Spring and autumn are quite enjoyable and mild, though spring is wetter. The annual total precipitation is around 48 inches and there is a slight chance of rain throughout the year.

Dover AFB Things to Do

There are tons of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors with fishing, boating, paddleboarding and more at nearby waterways or dive into the local history scene. It is the first state after all! There are also fun annual events held locally like the Delaware State Fair, the Concert Series on the Green and the Dover Comic Con. Fantastic restaurants, live music, tax-free shopping and special events can be found just a short drive from base. Not to mention the recreation and entertainment options available on base thanks to Dover Air Force Base Force Support Squadron.

Suggested Read

: 19 of the Best Restaurants Near Dover AFB and 19 Of the Best Dover AFB Things to Do

Hot Tip: Connect with military-trusted businesses and deals exclusively for Dover Air Force Base at MyBaseGuide.

Conclusion

Dover Air Force Base has more to offer than meets the eye. The area is bustling with things to do and you’re a short drive from some of the biggest cities on the East Coast. While stationed at Dover Air Force Base you’ll have the opportunity to train at premier Air Force Base while the central location provides the chance to experience everything New England has to offer. Uprooting your family and moving to a new location has its challenges but you’ll be glad to be here.

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

 

Updated:

9/28/2021