Location - Welcome to Pope Air Force Base, one of the busiest base in the Air Mobility Command, and to the Fayetteville, North Carolina, area.
The base is nestled at the northern tip of Fort Bragg, approximately 12 miles northwest of Fayetteville. It is within easy access to many historical and unique sites. For instance, to the west are the Appalachian Mountains, and to the east are the "Outer Banks" and the North Carolina National Seashore. Within the state's borders, there are many recreational areas and activities to satisfy everyone's interests. The temperate climate is conducive to year-round outdoor activities.
- Area Climate
- Find many "Leisure and Entertainment" Activities around Pope AFB to the left
History - Pope has played a leading role in the development of U.S. airpower, with missions ranging from providing airlift and close air support to American armed forces to supporting humanitarian missions worldwide. On March 27, 1919, the area was officially established by the War Department as Pope Field, making it one of the oldest installations in the Air Force. The base is named after 1st Lt Harley Halbert Pope, who was killed on Jan. 7, 1919, when the JN-4 Jenny he was flying with Sgt, Walter W. Fleming, crashed into the Cape Fear River near Fayetteville.
Mission - The mission of the 43d Airlift Wing (AMC), Pope's host wing, is to rapidly deploy a highly trained force and successfully plan and execute air operations. The Wing helps provide the Rapid Global Mobility of the United States Air Force. Capable of deploying a self-sustaining fighting package anywhere in the world at a moment's notice, the wing teams with U.S. Army airborne units at Fort Bragg to form the nation's premier forced entry capability. "We put the AIR in AIRBORNE," is the wing's motto. To carry out this mission, the wing employs two airlift squadrons-the 2nd and 41st-which fly C-130E Hercules aircraft and the 23rd Fighter Group's (ACC) 2 squadrons of A-10's and multiple tenant units. For contact information for the major units on Pope AFB please go to the "Major Unit Listings" link found on the left of this screen.
Population Served - Pope Air Force Base is home for over 5000 active duty members and their families. Pope also has approximately 500 plus civilians, non-appropriated fund and contract personnel supporting the mission of the 43 Airlift Wing. NOTE: Fort Bragg's population is over 47,000 active duty troops.
Sponsorship - A sponsor will send you a sponsor package, answer your questions about the base and the area, make lodging/dorm arrangements for you, and meet you upon arrival - your sponsor will help you, and your family, until you are settled into the new community. A sponsor will be assigned to you by your gaining unit commander's support staff. Sponsorship is mandatory for all personnel below the grade of colonel. If you do not hear from a sponsor, contact your gaining unit. Department of Defense civilians - contact your selecting official or personnel office for a sponsor. If you still do not receive a sponsor, contact the Pope AFB Airman & Family Readiness Center for assistance.
Each squadron is responsible for in-processing of personnel. They will schedule you for all your appointments. When you arrive at Pope, the first thing to do is report to your squadron Orderly Room and sign into your squadron. The unit orderly room and/or the military personnel flight will set up all your in-processing appointments. If you have any questions or concerns, again contact your sponsor, unit orderly room or the Customer Service Center, Military Personnel Flight at 394-2276. If you wish to have your mail forwarded to 'General Delivery' use the following format:
Member's full name/rank, 505 Virgin Street, Pope AFB NC 28308
Do NOT write "General Delivery" ANYWHERE in the address as this will route the mail to a post office in downtown Fayetteville. Using the above address will a delays in mail delivery.
Temporary Quarters - There is a great demand for lodging at Pope AFB. You should make reservations for temporary lodging as soon as you receive orders. While inbound personnel have a priority for reservations, it would benefit any newcomer to contact the Lodging Office to make reservations as soon as they know their arrival date.
When space is not available, the installation lodging office will provide information on where additional space (contract quarters) with good rates may be available.
Relocation Assistance - Nothing is more significant to us at the Airman & Family Readiness Center than the well being of service members and their families. If you have just arrived in our area, we would like you to know that the Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) has a Relocation Assistance Team that can provide you with information about this area and assist you in making informed decisions. We can help you get answers to specific questions about the new area. If your household goods have not arrived, you may want to use items from the Loan Closet located at 829 Armistead Street. (910) 494-2538 (DSN 424-2538). Programs for newcomers include Welcome Spouse Seminar, Heart Link, Pope Newcomers Orientation, Give Parents A Break and Child Care for PCS. All of these programs provide free child care.
Critical Installation Information - The future of Pope AFB - Pope AFB is listed on the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) list and will be realigned under Fort Bragg. However, our mission continues in every aspect and our members continue to deploy in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Note from MilitaryAvenue.com
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