Dover AFB

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.

The primary mission of 436th Airlift Wing 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. Dover AFB also hosts the Armed Forced Medical Examiner System .

Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operation

Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations 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 302-677-3982/2275 or DSN 312-445-3982/2275.

The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System provides comprehensive and innovative medicolegal services worldwide in the areas of death investigations, DNA identification, forensic toxicology and medical mortality surveillance.

AFMES is responsible for determining the cause and manner of death of all service members killed in wars, as well as those who lose their lives at military installations, both within the United States and overseas. The AFMES Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory concentrates on assisting with identifying military personnel who have lost their lives in both current and past conflicts, such as Vietnam, Korea and World War II. Its Division of Forensic Toxicology supports DOD by performing toxicology testing following military aircraft, ground and sea accidents, as well as for autopsies, and criminal and fitness for duty investigations. The Scientific Division is focused on rapidly detecting mortality due to unexplained circumstances or disease and on analyzing all active duty deaths for trends and possible preventable risk factors. It also leads AFMES' continuing medical education efforts.

The AFMES is the only medical examiner system in the federal government and supports other governmental agencies as necessary.

Joint Personal Effects Depot

The Joint Personal Effects Depot is co-located on the Mortuary Affairs campus with the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs, and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System. The U.S. Army Human Resources Command and Casualty Mortuary Affairs

Operations Center have Command and Control over the JPED.

The attacks on American soil on September 11, 2001, set in motion the groundwork for the beginnings of the Joint Personal Effects Depot. U.S. Army' Mortuary Affairs Specialists (92Ms) were mobilized in support of 24-hour recovery efforts at the Pentagon. A small contingent operation established the first Personal Effects Depot at Fort Myer, Virginia. In March 2003, the JPED relocated to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The mission then expanded to include the processing of all the personal effects of Service Members from all branches, as well as Department of Defense Civilians/Contractors killed or injured during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

In July 2008, construction began on JPED's new home at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. Construction of the state-of-the-art, $17.5 Million facility was completed in March 2011. Today, the JPED is comprised of a team of Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Department of the Army Civilians, and civilian contractors. The JPED Soldiers also support Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations as members of the Army Liaison Team.

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.  Please call 302 677-5050 for hours of operation.

Dover AFB housing is privatized/302 677-6969. 

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.

• Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions

The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. The operator can be reached at commercial (302) 677-3000.