Hubbry Logo
Pope FieldPope FieldMain
Open search
Pope Field
Community hub
Pope Field
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Pope Field
Pope Field
Pope Field
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Pope Field (IATA: POB, ICAO: KPOB, FAA LID: POB) is a U.S. military facility located 12 miles (19 km) northwest of the central business district of Fayetteville, in Spring Lake,[2] Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States.[3] Formerly known as Pope Air Force Base, the facility is now operated by the U.S. Air Force via a memorandum of agreement (MOA) and an interservices support agreement (ISSA) with the U.S. Army as part of Fort Bragg.[4][5][6]

Key Information

History

[edit]

Origins

[edit]

In 1918, Congress established Camp Bragg, an Army field artillery site named for the Confederate General Braxton Bragg. An aviation landing field was added a year later. The War Department officially established "Pope Field" in 1919, and it ranks as one of the oldest installations in the Air Force.

Pope AFB is named after First Lieutenant Harley Halbert Pope who was killed on 7 January 1919, when the Curtiss JN-4 Jenny he was flying crashed into the Cape Fear River. After five years, Camp Bragg became a permanent Army post renamed Fort Bragg, and known as Fort Liberty from 2023 to early-2025.

Original operations included photographing terrain for mapping, carrying the mail, and spotting for artillery and forest fires. Observation planes and observation balloons occupied Pope Field for the first eight years. In December 1927, Pope Field played a role in the development of tactics that would prove critically important in shortening World War II.

The 1930s saw the first major expansion of the facilities at Pope. In 1935, Pope Field hosted 535 aircraft in one day as the United States Army Air Corps practiced large scale operations along the East Coast. In 1940, paved runways replaced dirt open fields. Much of the parking ramp space remained unpaved until after World War II.

The tempo of activities at Pope quickened with the outbreak of World War II. During the 1940s, the base swelled as a troop carrier training site, and with the institution of paratrooper training at Fort Bragg, Pope began putting the "Air" in "Airborne". Throughout the war, air and ground crews trained here with Army airborne units in preparation for airborne and aerial resupply missions.

Pope Field became Pope Air Force Base in 1947 and changed back to Pope Field in 2011.

Hangars 4 and 5 and the Pope Air Force Base Historic District were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.[7]

10th Tactical Reconnaissance Group

[edit]

After the war, Pope Field became Pope Air Force Base with the creation of the United States Air Force on 18 September 1947. The base served as the home of the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, being activated at Pope on 3 December 1947 as the 10th Reconnaissance Group. It was redesignated as the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Group in June 1948. At Pope, the 10th flew the P/F-51 Mustang, as well as its photo recon variant the F-6, later redesignated the RF-51. Operational squadrons were:

  • 1st Photographic Reconnaissance
  • 15th Photographic Reconnaissance

4415th Air Base Group

[edit]

The 10th TRG was inactivated on 1 April 1949 and the host unit at Pope was the 4415th Air Base Group. The base primary mission dealt with training Forward Air Controllers for the Korean War This training was conducted by the following operational units:

  • 502d Tactical Control Group (27 June 1949 – 27 August 1950)
  • 507th Tactical Control Group (2 September 1950 – 1 July 1954)

Headquarters, Ninth Air Force, was located at Pope in August 1950. It was transferred to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, on 20 August 1954.

464th Troop Carrier Wing

[edit]

On 21 September 1954, Ninth Air Force turned Pope over to the 464th Troop Carrier Wing, a Tactical Air Command unit, which transferred from Lawson Air Force Base, Georgia. Known operational squadrons of the 464th were:

  • 776th Troop Carrier Squadron (transferred to Pacific Air Forces in December 1965)
  • 777th Troop Carrier Squadron
  • 778th Troop Carrier Squadron
  • 779th Troop Carrier Squadron

The 464th (on 1 August 1966 all troop carrier units were redesignated as "tactical airlift") provided airlift of troops and cargo, participated in joint airborne training with Army forces, and took part in tactical exercises in the United States and overseas. The wing provided aeromedical airlift and flew humanitarian missions as required. Until it was inactivated, the 464th usually had two or more squadrons deployed overseas at any one time, supporting military operations in Central America, Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, and Southeast Asia.

The 464th received the Mackay Trophy for the dramatic RED DRAGON/DRAGON ROUGE and BLACK DRAGON/DRAGON NOIR hostage rescue missions in the Congo in 1964. The wing led the deployment of 82nd Airborne forces to the Dominican Republic, April 1965-September 1966. Beginning in 1966, the 464th was responsible for training C-130E aircrew members for duty in troop carrier units in the United States and overseas.

During its time at Pope, a major period of facility expansion occurred. The main runway, the taxiways, and the ramp were all expanded to support the 464th's Fairchild C-119 "Flying Boxcar"s operations. During the 1950s and 1960s, aircraft upgrade was the primary trend at the North Carolina installation. The Fairchild C-123 Provider started replacing the C-119 in 1958, and in 1963, the first C-130 Hercules arrived, appropriately named "The North Carolina".

317th Tactical Airlift Wing

[edit]
C-130E Serial 63-7876 of the 41st Tactical Airlift Squadron during the Vietnam War.

In August 1971, the 464th inactivated and the 317th Tactical Airlift Wing administratively moved to Pope AFB from Lockbourne AFB, Ohio. Known operational squadrons and tail codes of the 317th were:

The 317th TAW flew the C-130E aircraft. After June 1972, the squadron tail codes were standardized with "PB", representing (Pope/Bragg).

The drop zones, low-level routes, and dirt landing zones at Fort Bragg became familiar to many men bound for Southeast Asia. The training gained in operating in the North Carolina area immeasurably improved aircrew preparedness for combat duty. The wing was a pioneer in the use of adverse weather aerial delivery system (AWADS) equipment in active combat operations in Southeast Asia, and after the end of American involvement, trained European-based NATO aircrews in those same techniques.

During the Vietnam War, Pope was the destination for the bodies of servicemen killed in Southeast Asia. When identification was confirmed, the bodies were sent to their hometowns or the appropriate military cemeteries for burial.[8]

On 1 December 1974 the Military Airlift Command took responsibility for tactical airlift and assumed command of Pope with all of its assigned units. Under MAC, the two-digit tail code designation of the 317th's aircraft was removed.

On 1 January 1992 the 317th TAW was reassigned to Air Mobility Command and the wing was redesignated the 317th Operations Group as part of the new 23d Composite Wing (23d Wing) at Pope. On 1 June 1992 the 317th OG was inactivated. As part of the inactivation, its operational squadrons were dissolved as follows:

  • 39th Airlift Squadron – Activated 1 October 1993 with the 7th Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas
    Replaced at Pope by the 2d Airlift Squadron assigned to the 23d Composite Wing (23d Wing)
  • 40th Airlift Squadron – Activated 1 October 1993 with the 7th Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas
  • 41st Airlift Squadron – Reassigned to the 23d Composite Wing (23d Wing)

23rd Wing

[edit]
"Flying Tiger" General Dynamics F-16C Block 40E Fighting Falcon Serial 89-2008 of the 74th Fighter Squadron.
"Flying Tiger" Lockheed C-130E-LM Hercules Serial 63-7846 of the 41st Airlift Squadron.

Lessons learned in the Gulf War in 1990–1991 led senior defense planners to conclude that the structure of the military establishment created numerous command and control problems. Senior planners reviewed numerous options before agreeing on the final conclusion – a merger of most strategic and tactical air resources and the transfer of the tactical airlift squadrons out of the Military Airlift Command due to their combat orientation. In addition, the number of Air Force wings was to be reduced by about one-third to reflect the financial constraints of the post Cold War environment.

These changes led to Pope Air Force Base being transferred to the new Air Combat Command upon its activation on 1 June 1992. Also, the 317th TAW was blended into the new 23rd Wing on 1 June 1992 when the 23rd Fighter Wing at England Air Force Base, Louisiana was transferred to Pope after England's Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) 1991 closing.

In April 1992, A/OA-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft were transferred to the 75th Fighter Squadron from the 353d FS / 354th FW at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina prior to the wing's inactivation and the base's closure in January 1993. In June 1993, Block 40 F-16C/Ds were transferred to the 74th Fighter Squadron from the 347th FW at Moody and 388th FW at Hill.

Operational squadrons of the 23rd Wing at Pope were:

In December 1992, C-130s from the 2nd Airlift Squadron deployed to Mombasa, Kenya, to participate in Operation PROVIDE RELIEF. The aircraft and crews delivered tons of food and other relief supplies to small airstrips throughout Somalia. 23rd Wing Flying Tiger C-130s were also tasked to assist in other humanitarian relief efforts, to include Hurricane Andrew in Florida. They also airdropped relief supplies into Bosnia-Herzogovina and flew relief missions into Sarajevo for more than 28 months.

On 23 March 1994, two 23rd Wing aircraft, an F-16 and a C-130, collided in the base's landing pattern. After the two crewmembers of the F-16 ejected from their damaged fighter, the unmanned aircraft crashed into an aircraft parking ramp and hit a C-141 transport aircraft parked on the ramp. The resulting fireball and flaming wreckage killed 24 United States Army paratroopers who were waiting nearby to load the transports and injured almost 100 more paratroopers in what is known as the Green Ramp disaster.

In May 1994, the deployed 41st Airlift Squadron led the evacuation, known as Operation Tiger Rescue, of U.S. personnel from Yemen.

In September 1994, 23rd Wing Flying Tiger C-130s participated in what was to be the largest combat personnel drop since World War II, Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY. They were to assist in dropping more than 3,000 paratroopers from the 82d Airborne Division onto Port au Prince Airport, Haiti. The invasion force was recalled at the last minute after word that the Haitian president had resigned upon hearing that the aircraft were on their way. The 75th Fighter Squadron's A-10s were also involved in UPHOLD DEMOCRACY. The squadron deployed their aircraft to Shaw AFB, South Carolina, where they were scheduled to launch close air support operations for the invasion force before recovering in Puerto Rico.

The first operational deployment of a composite wing happened in October 1994, when Iraqi troops began massing near the Kuwaiti Border. Within 72 hours, 56 aircraft and 1,500 people deployed to the Persian Gulf region for Operation VIGILANT WARRIOR. Eventually, the 75th Fighter Squadron redeployed to Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, becoming the first U.S. fixed-wing aircraft to be stationed in that country since the end of the Gulf War.

On 1 July 1996, the 74th Fighter Squadron's F-16C/D Fighting Falcons were transferred to the 27FW / 524th FS at Cannon AFB New Mexico, and the squadron transitioned to A/OA-10 Thunderbolt IIs received from the 20FW / 55th FS at Shaw AFB South Carolina. This gave the 23rd Wing a 2nd A-10 squadron.

The 23rd Wing won its fifth Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for the period of 31 May 1995 through 31 March 1997.

43d Airlift Wing

[edit]

On 1 April 1997, the 23rd Wing was inactivated and the C-130s and Pope Air Force Base were realigned to Air Mobility Command under the 43d Airlift Wing designation. The 43d Airlift Wing was designated as the host installation command.

On the same day, the 23rd Fighter Group was activated at Pope Air Force Base as a tenant unit aligned under the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC remaining in Air Combat Command. The 74th Fighter Squadron, 75th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Operations Support Squadron, and the 23rd Maintenance Squadron remained part of the group. Several of these planes provided the missing-man formation at the conclusion of the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXXII at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on 25 January 1998.

The 43d Airlift Wing performed en route operations support at Pope Field to include mission command & control, aircrew management, aircraft maintenance, aircraft loading, aircraft fueling and supply. The wing provided strategic, en-route airlift support and Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical airlift support to the Army's XVIII Airborne Corps and 82nd Airborne Division. The wing traces its roots back to the 43rd Bombardment Group (Heavy), which was constituted 20 November 1940, and activated 15 January 1941, at Langley Field, VA. It operated primarily in the Southwest Pacific Theater as a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, and later a Consolidated B-24 Liberator heavy-bomber unit assigned to Fifth Air Force. The 43rd Operations Group carries the lineage and history of its highly decorated World War II predecessor unit.

440th Airlift Wing

[edit]

BRAC 2005 determined that the Air Force Reserve Command's 440th Airlift Wing and its C-130 aircraft were to be moved from Mitchell Field, Wisconsin to Pope. The wing started operations at Pope in 2006 and completed the move by October 2007. The first unit assembly at the new location was 1 October 2007. BRAC also made the 440th Airlift Wing the first active associate unit in Air Force history. The Regular Air Force's 2d Airlift Squadron and elements of the 43d Airlift Wing's maintenance units, that were also based at Pope, were receiving operational direction from the 440th while flying and helping maintain the C-130H2 Hercules Air Force Reserve aircraft. At the start of 2010, the 440th Airlift Wing had 16 C-130H models supporting worldwide missions and providing training missions for the XVIII Airborne Corps and 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg.

The 440th was a United States Air Force Reserve unit that performed airfield operations to include airfield management, weather forecasting, airfield tower control, airfield navigation and landing systems' maintenance. The 440 AW's 95th Airlift Squadron shared the airlift mission with the 43d's 2d Airlift Squadron. The 440th also had the 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron assigned which shared the AE mission with the 43d Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron.[9]

Despite opposition from North Carolina congressmen and senators, the 440th Airlift Wing was inactivated as an Air Force cost savings measure. An article in the 6 March 2014 issue of the Fayetteville Observer noted that the Air Force has proposed the wing's inactivation and the retirement of its 12 C-130H aircraft.[citation needed] A follow-up article in the 11 March edition stated that state congressmen (Ellmers, Hudson, Price, and McIntyre) had spoken out against the proposed inactivation.[10]

The last C-130 assigned to the 440th Airlift Wing departed on 29 June 2016,[11] and the unit inactivated on 18 September 2016.[12]

Merger with Fort Bragg

[edit]

In the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Plan, the Department of Defense started its plan to realign Pope AFB, NC. The Commission called for moving the 23rd Fighter Group's 36 A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthogs) to Moody AFB, Georgia and the 43rd Airlift Wing's 25 C-130E's to Little Rock AFB, Arkansas; established a Medical Squadron; activated an Air Force Group to provide mission execution, planning, and management of efficient load-out of Fort Bragg assets; and transferred Real Property accountability to the Army. The 2005 BRAC Law directed that the mandates be completed no later than 15 September 2011.

The 23rd Fighter Group rejoined the 23rd Wing in a ceremony held on 18 August 2006 at Pope. On 19 December 2007, the last three of the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft left for Moody AFB.

On 1 March 2011, Pope Air Force Base was absorbed into Fort Bragg, becoming Pope Field.[4][5][6]

Runway and airfield lighting system replacement

[edit]

In 2019, degradation of Pope Field's runway and lighting system, many components of which were over 60 years old, became a major concern. From the fall of 2019 through spring of 2021, a major planning effort was undertaken to completely replace the runway and lighting system while continuing operations of units that rely on Pope Field at other locations. The runway was closed on 15 June 2021 to begin the $90 million construction. The project was completed ahead of schedule in approximately four months, opening on 14 October 2021 with the landing of a USAF C-17 Globemaster III crewed by elements of the 437th Airlift Wing (Joint Base Charleston, SC), and the 43d AMOG.

Inactivation of the 43d Air Base Squadron

[edit]

On 8 July 2022, the 43d AMOG held a ceremony where it inactivated the 43d Air Base Squadron and activated both the 43d Force Support Squadron and the 43d Communications Squadron in its place.[13]

Role and operations

[edit]

The United States Army Fort Bragg Garrison is the host organization at Pope Field. The garrison provides airfield support, security, and protection to include emergency medical and fire response, aircraft security, and transient alert support. It also provides installation support and is responsible to execute the Inter-Service Support Agreement in providing support to United States Air Force (USAF) tenants to include services, facility maintenance, and morale, welfare and recreation support.

The United States Air Force 43d Airlift Group was activated at Pope on 1 March 2011, and later redesignated the 43d Air Mobility Operations Group (AMOG) in 2016. The unit performs en route operations support to include mission command and control, aircrew management, aircraft maintenance, aircraft loading, aircraft fueling and supply, air traffic control, and aircraft landing systems maintenance. Furthermore, the 43 AMOG coordinates and supports joint training exercises for Fort Bragg's XVIII Airborne Corps and 82nd Airborne Division. Finally, the 43 AMOG is the lead Air Force unit responsible for rapid deployment coordination of the 82nd Airborne Division's Immediate Response Force (IRF).

In addition, the USAF 18th Air Support Operations Group, 427th Special Operations Squadron, 21st Special Tactics Squadron, 24th Special Tactics Squadron, and Air Force Combat Control School operate from Pope Field.

Based units

[edit]

Flying and notable non-flying units based at Pope Field.[14][15]

Units marked GSU are Geographically Separate Units, which although based at Pope, are subordinate to a parent unit based at another location.

United States Air Force

[edit]

Education

[edit]

Dependent children on post are assigned to schools in the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).[16] Albritton Middle School took students from Pope Field.[17]

High school students are zoned to the district public schools of the counties they reside in.[18] Pope AFB's high school district would be Cumberland County Schools.[16]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Other sources

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Pope Field

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Pope Field, officially designated Pope Army Airfield, is a installation located within Fort Liberty in , approximately 12 miles northwest of Fayetteville. Established on March 27, 1919, and named for Harley Halbert Pope, an early aviator killed in a training accident, it ranks among the oldest continuously operating airfields in the . The base functions as a critical hub for - air mobility operations, specializing in tactical airlift support for airborne assaults and rapid global deployment, particularly enabling mass parachute jumps and logistics for the and . The 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group, headquartered at Pope Field, oversees airfield operations, passenger and cargo terminal services, and aerial port functions, supporting multiple major commands including and . These capabilities have underpinned U.S. military readiness since , with the airfield facilitating training in observation balloons, reconnaissance, and tactical transport across subsequent conflicts including Korea, , and post-9/11 operations in and . Realignments in elevated it to Pope Air Force Base under the newly independent , hosting units like the 464th Troop Carrier Wing for paratrooper support, before reverting to field status in 2011 amid Army integration at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty). Pope Field's strategic location and infrastructure, including runways suited for C-130 Hercules and other tactical aircraft, underscore its enduring role in power projection, with over 900 personnel managing daily flights, maintenance, and joint exercises that enhance expeditionary warfare proficiency.

History

Origins and naming (1918–1941)

In September 1918, as the mobilized for the final stages of , Camp Bragg was established in , as a field artillery training site spanning over 130,000 acres. To support artillery observation and reconnaissance, an auxiliary aviation landing field was constructed adjacent to the camp that same month, initially designated "the flying field at Camp Bragg." This rudimentary airstrip facilitated training for observation pilots using biplanes such as the Curtiss JN-4 Jenny, enabling aerial spotting of artillery fire during exercises amid the war's endgame. On April 5, 1919, shortly after the , the facility was officially renamed Pope Field by the War Department in tribute to Harley Halbert , the inaugural aviation officer assigned to the post. , a native of , had perished on January 7, 1919, at age 39, when the JN-4 Jenny he piloted with Walter W. Fleming crashed into a bridge spanning the near Fayetteville during a scouting mission for potential routes. The renaming marked the field's transition from a temporary wartime adjunct to a permanent installation, though operations remained modest in the immediate postwar drawdown, focusing on basic maintenance and sporadic observation flights for Camp Bragg's artillery units. The interwar period saw limited activity at Pope Field until the 1930s, when escalating global tensions prompted expansion of U.S. capabilities under the Army Air Corps. Key improvements included extension of the primary to accommodate larger , installation of electric for night operations, and erection of a new headquarters building along with two additional hangars, enhancing capacity for and logistical support. These upgrades aligned with broader Army investments in , sustaining Pope Field's role in aerial observation and pilot proficiency exercises tied to the evolving mission of the adjacent Camp Bragg—redesignated Fort Bragg in 1922—which shifted toward maneuvers while retaining elements. By 1941, the field hosted periodic detachments for basic instruction, laying groundwork for wartime scaling without yet involving specialized airborne tactics.

World War II and immediate postwar period (1941–1950)

In 1941, Pope Field, an existing auxiliary airfield at Fort Bragg, , expanded its role significantly to support U.S. Army airborne operations amid the buildup to entry. On that year's date of a notable demonstration, Generals , , and observed the first mass paratroop drop in the , involving over 500 soldiers, underscoring the field's emerging capacity for large-scale parachute training. This aligned with Fort Bragg's rapid growth, as personnel swelled from 5,600 in 1940 to 67,000 in 1941, driven by the need to prepare infantry for rapid aerial insertion against Axis forces. During the war, Pope Field hosted intensive training for air and ground crews, particularly with the , focusing on paratrooper jumps, glider operations, and troop carrier missions to simulate deployments for European and Pacific theaters. Aircraft such as the , the primary U.S. troop transport adapted for paratroop drops and towing gliders, were central to these exercises, enabling rehearsals for resupply and assault tactics essential to airborne warfare. In February 1942, an A-20 Havoc light attack squadron based there contributed to coastal defense by sinking the first German off U.S. shores near , highlighting the field's versatility in early antisubmarine and tactical support roles. Expansions included paving earth runways in 1940 to accommodate increased traffic, with the airfield supporting preparation for units like the 317th Troop Carrier Group, which logged extensive Pacific service. Following Japan's surrender in 1945, Pope Field transitioned to postwar administration under the Continental Air Command, which oversaw reserve troop carrier units and basic tactical airlift training through 1950. With the U.S. 's establishment as an independent service on September 18, 1947, the field was redesignated Pope Base, partitioning it from Fort Bragg to focus on air-ground integration and rapid deployment fundamentals, including exercises via units like the 4415th Air Base Group. This period emphasized sustaining airborne support capabilities amid demobilization, with base infrastructure retained for potential mobilization needs until assumed oversight in 1950.

Cold War reconnaissance and airlift operations (1950s–1980s)

The 4415th Air Base Group assumed host responsibilities at Pope Air Force Base after the 1949 inactivation of prior reconnaissance elements, emphasizing training for forward air controllers to coordinate joint Army-Air Force tactical operations amid escalating Cold War tensions. In October 1954, the 464th Troop Carrier Wing transferred to Pope AFB under Ninth Air Force, initially operating 32 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar aircraft for troop and cargo transport, supporting deterrence through rapid mobility exercises with the 82nd Airborne Division at adjacent Fort Bragg. The wing specialized in short-haul logistics, maintaining readiness for contingency responses to Soviet bloc provocations in Europe and Asia. By 1958, it transitioned to 40 Fairchild C-123 Provider aircraft, optimized for austere field operations with rear-loading ramps and rough-terrain landing gear, which facilitated assault deliveries and defoliant spraying missions. From 1961 to 1963, squadrons from the redesignated 464th Troop Carrier Wing (Assault) deployed on temporary duty to South Vietnam, airlifting over 10,000 tons of cargo and troops monthly to counter communist advances, underscoring Pope's role in sustaining forward projection without permanent overseas basing. The 317th Troop Carrier , equipped with , arrived at Pope by the mid-1960s, executing the largest tactical formation since on 29 April 1965 with 150 C-130s and C-124s departing for reinforcements. Redesignated the 317th Tactical Airlift on 1 May 1967, it maintained 40 C-130E models through the 1970s, conducting over 5,000 annual training sorties for paratroop drops and joint maneuvers that honed rapid intervention tactics against potential incursions. In the 1980s, the wing's C-130 fleet enabled real-world deployments, including leading the 25 1983 airborne assault in Operation Urgent Fury at , where 16 aircraft dropped 1,700 Rangers under anti-aircraft fire to secure Point Salines airfield and evacuate 700 American students. These operations validated Pope's infrastructure—featuring a 10,000-foot runway and proximity to Fort Bragg—for minimizing response times in , directly bolstering U.S. credibility in containing Soviet influence via credible airborne forcible entry capabilities.

Tactical airlift and composite wing era (1990s–2000s)


In June 1992, the 23rd Wing relocated to Pope Air Force Base from England AFB, Louisiana, and reorganized as a composite wing under Air Combat Command, integrating tactical airlift C-130E Hercules squadrons with F-16C/D Fighting Falcon reconnaissance and A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support capabilities. This structure enabled the formation of composite strike packages combining airlift for rapid troop deployment with fighter escort and ground attack elements, enhancing joint operations with the adjacent 82nd Airborne Division. The wing's airlift units, including the 2nd and 41st Airlift Squadrons, supported logistics and forcible entry training, building on prior Gulf War contributions from Pope-based C-130s that deployed elements of the 317th Tactical Airlift Wing for theater sustainment sorties starting January 1991. The maintained readiness for high-tempo operations through the mid-1990s, conducting joint exercises that emphasized airborne assault integration, with C-130s facilitating paratrooper drops and resupply for the 82nd Airborne in scenarios simulating rapid global response. By 1997, amid Air Force realignments prioritizing mobility, the wing inactivated on April 1, transferring its C-130 assets to . This shift marked Pope's transition to dedicated tactical airlift under the newly activated 43rd Airlift Wing, which operated two C-130 squadrons for intratheater , airdrop, and aeromedical evacuation, focusing on support for Army and conventional forces. During the 2000s, the 43rd Airlift Wing sustained operations in and , generating sorties for troop rotations, equipment delivery, and , with C-130s achieving elevated operational tempos through upgraded and maintenance protocols that improved reliability over legacy C-130E models. Joint forcible entry missions with the highlighted the wing's role, executing mass tactical parachute insertions and low-level airdrops in training evolutions that validated rapid deployment concepts amid post-9/11 demands. To accommodate 24/7 flight schedules, the 43rd Civil Engineer Squadron implemented wireless ramp lighting systems by 2008, reducing annual costs from $330,000 to under $180,000 via energy-efficient LED and motion-sensor technology, thereby enhancing airfield efficiency without compromising mission continuity.

Base realignment and merger with Fort Bragg/Fort Liberty (2011–present)

Pursuant to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) recommendations approved by Congress, Pope Air Force Base underwent inactivation on March 1, 2011, with its facilities redesignated as Pope Field and transferred to U.S. Army control under Fort Bragg. This realignment merged the airfield into Fort Bragg's operational footprint, expanding the installation to encompass approximately 58,000 uniformed personnel and 13,000 civilians while preserving Air Force tenant activities focused on joint support. The transition formalized an Army-operated model for the airfield, enabling seamless integration of Army aviation assets alongside Air Force en route operations without disrupting rapid deployment capabilities. Post-realignment, the Reserve's 440th Airlift Wing continued C-130 Hercules operations at Pope Field until the unit's final aircraft departure on June 29, 2016, marking the end of dedicated fixed-wing squadrons on site. In response, the 43rd Group—later redesignated the 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group—established key support elements, including the activation of the 43rd Air Mobility Squadron and 43rd Squadron on July 10, 2015, to handle logistics, force support, and airfield management for transient and joint exercises. These units ensured continuity in air mobility functions, such as cargo handling and coordination, adapting to the absence of permanently assigned fighters or transports by emphasizing expeditionary oversight. In June 2023, Fort Bragg was redesignated Fort Liberty amid Army-wide efforts to eliminate names linked to Confederate figures, yet Pope Field's title remained unchanged to maintain historical ties to aviation origins and operational identity. This retention supported uninterrupted joint training, including airborne assaults with the . On February 14, 2025, Fort Liberty reverted to Fort Bragg, honoring veteran Pvt. First Class Roland L. Bragg, further stabilizing the integrated command structure at Pope Field. Recent leadership transitions, such as the July 17, 2024, for the 43rd Communications Squadron under Lt. Col. Lin-Lin Liou, underscore ongoing adaptations within the Army-hosted environment, bolstering network and cyber support for special tactics and rapid-response drills. These evolutions affirm Pope Field's role in sustaining joint force projection, with exercises validating between Army ground elements and mobility teams despite the 2011 structural shifts.

Geography and infrastructure

Location and physical layout

Pope Field occupies 1,885 acres immediately adjacent to the northern edge of Fort Liberty in , approximately 12 miles northwest of downtown Fayetteville. This positioning enables direct support for Fort Liberty's airborne forces, including the , by minimizing transit times for paratroop drops and rapid airland operations onto integrated areas. The airfield's primary , designated 05/23, extends 7,501 feet long by 150 feet wide, surfaced with grooved capable of supporting heavy tactical airlifters. Supporting infrastructure includes hangars, fuel depots, and taxiways configured for efficient handling of air mobility missions, with the layout integrated into Fort Liberty's expansive 160,000-plus acres for joint Army-Air Force basing. The site's terrain consists of sandy soils typical of the Sandhills region, interspersed with pine forests that provide natural camouflage but necessitate specialized construction techniques for and facility resilience against erosion and drainage challenges. This geophysical context supports the base's role in low-level while influencing maintenance requirements for pavement integrity.

Airfield facilities and upgrades

The primary at Pope Field, designated 05/23, spans 7,501 feet in length by 150 feet in width, surfaced with grooved rated at PCN 93/R/B/W/T for weight-bearing capacity, supporting operations of heavy-lift aircraft including the C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster III. An auxiliary assault strip, 51/23, measures 3,000 feet by 60 feet with an asphalt surface, facilitating tactical short-field landings. These configurations accommodate the airfield's demands for rapid and airborne assault missions, with the main runway's grooved surface enhancing traction and reducing hydroplaning risks in wet conditions prevalent in North Carolina's climate. In 2013, a new 135-foot tower was completed, incorporating LEED-certified features such as LED lighting, motion-sensor controls, and electric vehicle charging stations to minimize energy use while improving visibility over the flightline compared to the prior 40-year-old structure. This upgrade enhanced for controllers during high-density traffic, directly addressing limitations in the outdated tower's height and environmental controls. Maintenance facilities include specialized , such as a two-bay control hangar for C-130 exterior servicing and 750 for aircraft storage, consolidating repair functions to sustain operational readiness. Major airfield renovations, completed in October 2021 at a cost of approximately $90 million, encompassed full resurfacing of runways and taxiways—the first in over 50 years—along with comprehensive replacements to support night operations and prevent failures from deteriorated infrastructure. These improvements, funded through fiscal year 2020 ($25 million for lighting) and 2021 budgets ($65 million for pavement repairs), mitigate degradation from intensive use by increasing pavement strength and illumination reliability, thereby reducing downtime risks that could constrain surge rates during contingency responses. The upgrades followed the 2011 (BRAC) transition to Army control, which necessitated infrastructure hardening for joint sustainment without specified BRAC-directed airfield costs.

Mission and operations

Strategic role in airborne and rapid deployment

Pope Field serves as the primary airfield for enabling the rapid global deployment of airborne forces, particularly supporting the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division's Global Response Force (GRF) capability to respond anywhere in the world within 18 hours of notification. This doctrinal function emphasizes through strategic , utilizing collocated C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for mass assaults and equipment delivery directly from the airfield adjacent to Fort Liberty. The proximity of the airfield to troop staging areas minimizes transit times, allowing alert forces to achieve airborne status swiftly, which empirically shortens overall deployment timelines compared to dispersed installations. In multinational exercises such as Swift Response, Pope Field has facilitated large-scale airborne operations, with over 1,000 paratroopers from the deploying via airlift in 2015 to demonstrate forced entry capabilities across allied nations. These operations validate the airfield's role in coordinating rapid outload processes, integrating mobility with ground elements to execute insertions under simulated crisis conditions. Such empirical successes underscore the causal link between airfield collocation and enhanced deterrence, as quicker response times complicate adversary planning and planning horizons. Additionally, Pope Field supports (JSOC) forces through specialized rapid strategic deployment, including low-level airdrop insertions for precision operations. The 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group at the airfield coordinates these missions, providing en route infrastructure for aviation that leverages the base's tactical expertise to deliver personnel and equipment in contested environments. In contingencies, this has enabled efficient of forces, with historical task forces managing division-scale movements that project combat power without reliance on forward bases. This focus on mobility counters narratives underemphasizing 's role in sustaining operational tempo, as evidenced by the airfield's integration into broader networks for tonnage delivery in global responses.

Joint Army-Air Force integration and support functions

Following the 2011 implementation on March 1, Pope Field's administrative control shifted to U.S. Army Fort Bragg, establishing an Army-managed installation that supports U.S. Air Force aviation missions through coordinated interservice agreements. This structure delineates Army responsibility for ground-based infrastructure and security, while Air Force units handle flight operations, including via the airfield's tower and radar approaches. Aircraft maintenance falls under Air Force purview, with the 43rd Air Mobility Squadron conducting inspections, repairs, and hazardous materials handling for transient and assigned aircraft. Logistical integration centers on sustainment for airborne operations, where personnel rig parachutes and cargo for static-line drops, load vehicles and equipment onto C-130 and C-17 , and prepare manifests for rapid deployment. The 43rd Air Mobility Operations Squadron oversees arrival and departure sequencing, ensuring compatibility with paratrooper manifests and enabling efficient passenger and freight throughput. These functions support protocols during exercises, though primary medevac relies on assets coordinated through joint channels. Annual operations facilitate thousands of jumps, with procedures validated in recurring drills to maintain certification standards. Joint exercises exemplify procedural efficacy, such as the Joint Forcible Entry Exercise (JFEX) held six times yearly, which integrates airlift with airborne infantry for large-scale assaults involving up to multiple brigades. These iterations, often aligned with U.S. Forces Command (FORSCOM) readiness evaluations, test command-and-control linkages, including from Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) elements embedded with ground units. Such coordination has demonstrated tangible improvements in deployment timelines and operational tempo, as evidenced by synchronized mass airdrops exceeding 500 paratroopers per event in documented drills. This framework promotes resource efficiency by pooling maintenance facilities and personnel, reducing duplication amid fiscal pressures on defense spending.

Based units

United States Air Force assigned units

The 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group, assigned to Pope Field under Air Mobility Command, directs air mobility operations to enable rapid deployment of joint forces, including 24/7 aircraft launch and recovery, aerial refueling oversight, and processing of cargo and passengers for tactical airlift missions. Its subordinate 43rd Air Mobility Squadron executes flightline operations supporting high-tempo sorties, such as those involving C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for airborne assault and resupply, with demonstrated readiness in exercises and contingencies like Storm missions in 2025. The group emphasizes combat-proven metrics, including surge capacity for no-fail joint operations with the 82nd Airborne Division, without owning fixed-wing assets but facilitating transient airlift from Air Force, Reserve, and allied units. Special tactics elements, including the and under the (), maintain bases at Pope Field to conduct airfield seizure, combat control, and terminal attack guidance in joint special operations. These squadrons integrate with Army and JSOC elements for personnel recovery, , and enabling follow-on forces, leveraging Pope's proximity to Fort Liberty for rapid-response training and deployments proven in operations like Enduring Freedom. The 14th Air Support Operations Squadron provides forward air controllers and tactical air control parties to coordinate , joint terminal attack control, and weather integration for ground maneuver units, enhancing precision fires in contested environments. Supporting functions across these units include the 43rd Communications Squadron for network operations and the 18th Weather Squadron for flight safety forecasting, ensuring operational tempo without overlap into roles.

United States Army support elements

The Fort Liberty Garrison serves as the host organization for Pope Field, delivering critical ground support functions including installation security, emergency services, logistics coordination, and administrative processing to facilitate seamless joint operations. Under an interservice support agreement, the garrison ensures airfield infrastructure readiness for both fixed-wing and rotary-wing activities, distinct from Air Force-led flight operations. This encompasses transient aircraft handling, personnel movement processing, and base-wide protection measures. Key Army elements include the Army Field Support Battalion-Bragg's Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group (A/DACG), stationed at Building 397 on Maverick Street at Pope Army Airfield, which manages passenger and cargo throughput with a primary contact line operational for deployment support. The A/DACG processes thousands of troops and equipment loads annually, enabling rapid force projection for units like the by coordinating manifests, customs clearance, and baggage handling in coordination with partners. The garrison also oversees support for Army aviation adjuncts, providing airfield access and ground services for UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters operated by the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, headquartered at Fort Liberty. These assets utilize Pope Field for helicopter-airlift integration training, such as familiarization flights and rapid infiltration exercises, with Army personnel handling ramp security, fueling coordination, and maintenance liaison to minimize turnaround times. This arrangement bolsters overall post efficiency by leveraging shared facilities for hybrid fixed- and rotary-wing missions, as demonstrated in joint exercises where Black Hawk operations complement C-130 jumps.

Notable incidents and accidents

1994 Green Ramp disaster

The occurred on March 23, 1994, when an F-16D Fighting Falcon from the 23rd Fighter Squadron collided mid-air with a C-130E Hercules from the near 23 at Pope Air Force Base, . The fighter jet, conducting a surface-attack mission, struck the transport aircraft, which was on final approach for a flight; the C-130 sustained damage but landed safely, while the F-16 disintegrated, with its fuselage and debris crashing into the Green Ramp staging area where over 500 paratroopers from the were assembled and preparing equipment for mass airborne operations. The resulting impact ignited approximately 55,000 pounds of , creating a fireball that engulfed the area and caused 24 fatalities—23 soldiers and one airman—and injured more than 100 others, primarily from burns and trauma. The collision stemmed from the aircraft operating in close proximity during overlapping approach patterns without adequate separation, exacerbated by the F-16's low-altitude maneuvering and challenges in managing joint Army-Air Force activities at the base. Post-impact, the F-16's fuel tanks ruptured and ignited upon ground contact, producing flames exceeding 1,000 degrees that spread rapidly across the ramp; empirical data from eyewitness accounts and fire response logs indicate initial fire suppression began within seconds via paratroopers using dirt, sand, and personal gear to smother flames on victims, followed by professional units arriving in under two minutes to contain the blaze. Acts of heroism included soldiers shielding comrades and extinguishing fires with bare hands or improvised tools, which limited further casualties despite the chaos of unsecured parachutes and equipment fueling secondary ignitions. The U.S. Accident Investigation Board, convened immediately after, pinpointed primary causal factors as procedural gaps in air traffic deconfliction and pilot adherence to altitude minimums during operations, though it noted no evidence of mechanical failure and affirmed the effectiveness of ejection systems and base-wide emergency protocols in enabling rapid . While the board highlighted training deficiencies in joint airspace management—such as insufficient buffers between fighter tactics and landings—it concluded that core frameworks, including redundant communications and on-ground readiness drills, demonstrated resilience by facilitating a coordinated response that triaged over 100 casualties within hours. In the aftermath, the incident prompted targeted procedural refinements, including enhanced simulation-based training for air traffic controllers on multi-aircraft scenarios and stricter zoning of ramp activities away from active runways to reduce ground exposure risks, measures validated by subsequent zero-fatality records in similar operations at the base. A memorial was established at the headquarters on Fort Bragg, featuring inscribed names of the fallen and serving as the site for annual commemorations that emphasize lessons in resilience and preparedness.

Other operational mishaps and safety record

In addition to major accidents, Pope Field has recorded several non-fatal operational mishaps typical of tactical airlift environments involving C-130 aircraft, such as excursions and mid-air near-collisions during training. On June 22, 1967, C-130E 63-7801 of the 777th Tactical Airlift Squadron experienced a upon landing, resulting in structural failure and the aircraft being written off as destroyed, though all five members survived without injury. Similarly, C-130H 74-1693 suffered a ground at Pope AFB, leading to its , with portions of the wreckage repurposed as a trainer; no injuries were reported. A notable near-miss occurred on December 1, 2014, when 88-4404, operating as PACKR32 out of Pope Field, collided mid-air with a C-27J Spartan during a local tactical training flight near the base. Both aircraft sustained damage but executed emergency landings safely—the C-130 at Pope and the C-27 at Mackall Army Airfield—with no injuries among the eight crew members. The investigation attributed the incident to errors, including inadequate visual scanning and separation assurance, but credited pilot interventions with averting a catastrophic outcome. Pope Field's safety record reflects the elevated risks inherent to its mission supporting high-tempo airborne operations for the , including frequent low-altitude airdrops and assault landings that exceed standard airlift profiles. A 2007 assessment noted Pope's second-highest mishap rate among AMC bases the prior year, linked to operational demands rather than systemic deficiencies. However, broader U.S. trends demonstrate mitigation through data-driven measures like enhanced simulator and procedural reforms, contributing to a decline in Class A mishap rates from 2.8 per 100,000 flight hours in the early to 1.44 by the mid-1990s, with further reductions in tactical airlift categories via risk assessments tailored to joint Army- exercises. These efforts have sustained relatively low fatality rates despite intensified post-9/11 deployments, where Pope-based units achieved combat surges without aircraft losses attributable to mishaps.

Environmental and health concerns

PFAS water contamination and investigations

The U.S. Army has identified per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in at Fort Liberty, including areas underlying Pope Field (formerly Pope Army Airfield), stemming from historical releases of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) used in firefighting for aircraft incidents and training exercises. AFFF, containing PFOS and PFOA, was deployed during events such as the 1994 at Pope Field, where large volumes suppressed fuel fires from colliding aircraft, contributing to plume formation through repeated crash-site applications. Site inspections completed by 2022 detected PFAS concentrations in on-base exceeding the EPA's 2016 lifetime health advisory of 70 ppt for PFOA and PFOS combined, with isolated samples reaching up to 98 ppt near airfield operations. Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Department of Defense initiated preliminary assessments and site inspections at Fort Liberty to delineate PFAS release sites, including Pope Field's crash response areas. These investigations, mandated for potential hazardous substance sites, involve empirical sampling to map plumes via monitoring wells and off-base private well tests within a 1-mile of Pope Field and adjacent facilities. As of 2024, expanded sampling under EPA-Army collaboration identified PFAS in nearby private wells at levels from 4-12 ppt for select compounds, prompting further delineation to assess migration pathways tied to flow and historical AFFF disposal. Personnel exposure risks arise primarily from historical drinking water sources and direct contact during operations, with causal links to AFFF's necessity for rapid suppression of fires in high-stakes environments, where alternative foams historically proved less effective. Detected levels, while above advisories, align with patterns at other active-duty airfields requiring foam for live- and emergencies, underscoring operational trade-offs between immediate fire mitigation efficacy and long-term groundwater persistence. Ongoing CERCLA remedial investigations prioritize verifiable plume extents over speculative health projections, focusing on data-driven source attribution rather than amplified narratives from advocacy-driven reporting.

Remediation and military environmental management

The U.S. Army Environmental Command oversees PFAS response actions at Fort Liberty, including Pope Army Airfield, through preliminary assessments and site inspections completed as of 2022, advancing to remedial investigations to delineate contamination plumes and evaluate feasibility of engineering remedies like extraction and treatment walls under CERCLA authority. These efforts integrate with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) protocols for military site restoration, prioritizing source control and monitored natural attenuation where data indicate low migration risk, with supplemental investigations informing long-term decisions. As part of DoD-wide interim measures, monitoring networks and treatment systems—such as granular activated carbon filters or ion exchange units—have been deployed at analogous high-priority sites since 2023 to interrupt plume migration, though Pope-specific installations emphasize well networks for quarterly sampling to track efficacy against regulatory limits. The 2020 DoD Remediation Plan employs a risk-based screening and evaluation framework to sequence actions, allocating over $2 billion annually across 723 installations for compliance without compromising rapid deployment capabilities, as evidenced by sustained airborne operations at Pope amid cleanup. To prevent recurrence, DoD mandated cessation of PFAS-based aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) procurement by October 2023, accelerating qualification of fluorine-free foams under MIL-PRF-24385(SH) by 2024, with two products approved for hangar and crash-rescue use by early 2025; this causal shift reduces future inputs while empirical tests confirm comparable suppression rates, averting trade-offs between environmental integrity and mission readiness. Litigation includes individual claims by veterans and families against AFFF manufacturers like , with settlements projected at $30,000 to $500,000 per claimant as of 2025 to fund medical monitoring, explicitly excluding DoD liability admissions and focusing on producer accountability for legacy foam formulations. DoD frameworks counter claims of disregard by mandating transparency in annual progress reports, with Fort Liberty's actions aligning to EPA interim guidance on plume management, ensuring data-driven remediation sustains base viability.

References

  1. https://www.pope.af.mil/
  2. https://www.pope.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/242383/the-legacy-of-pope-continues-1919-2009/
  3. https://www.pope.af.mil/Units/43rd-Air-Mobility-Squadron/
  4. https://www.pope.af.mil/Units/
  5. https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/pope-army-airfield
  6. https://www.pope.af.mil/About-Us/Display/Article/2290866/col-jonathan-king/
  7. https://www.cityviewnc.com/stories/fort-braggs-history-traced-to-1918-as-installation-prepares-to-take-new-name/
  8. https://www.pope.af.mil/About-Us/Pope-Army-Airfield-History/
  9. https://www.dncr.nc.gov/blog/2024/01/02/pope-field-i-82
  10. https://www.dncr.nc.gov/blog/2016/04/05/pope-air-force-base-gets-its-name
  11. https://www.dncr.nc.gov/blog/2023/12/29/fort-bragg-i-17
  12. https://www.nps.gov/articles/pope-air-force-base-historic-district.htm
  13. https://www.popeafbhousing.com/history
  14. https://www.troopcarrier.org/aircraft.html
  15. https://www.pope.af.mil/About-Us/Pope-History/
  16. https://sammcgowan.com/pope.html
  17. https://www.troopcarrier.org/tac.html
  18. https://www.dyess.af.mil/Portals/145/Docs/317%2520AG%2520Heritage%2520Pamphlet%2520July%25202017.pdf?ver=2017-06-06-103833-177
  19. https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/1744002/317-airlift-wing-amc/
  20. https://www.usaf317thvet.org/history.html
  21. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA193582.pdf
  22. https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432094/23-wing-acc/
  23. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/pope.htm
  24. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/43aw.htm
  25. https://www.pope.af.mil/News/Pope-News/Article/242769/honoring-history-through-blues-43rd-reactivates-at-pope/
  26. https://www.army.mil/article/52441/fort_bragg_takes_over_pope_air_force_base_under_brac
  27. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/114084/army-to-assume-responsibility-for-pope-air-force-base/
  28. https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/2016/07/14/final-440th-airlift-wing-c/64796359007/
  29. https://www.pope.af.mil/News/Pope-News/Article/674848/43rd-ag-stands-up-air-base-and-air-mobility-squadrons-at-pope-field/
  30. https://www.army.mil/article/283111/fort_liberty_is_renamed_fort_bragg_effective_immediately
  31. https://www.facebook.com/PopeAAF/posts/as-the-final-change-of-command-of-the-2024-season-takes-place-on-pope-army-airfi/927071889464146/
  32. https://www.ncpedia.org/pope-air-force-base
  33. https://www.military.com/base-guide/pope-field
  34. https://www.airnav.com/airport/KPOB
  35. https://www.gomillie.com/bases/fort-liberty/
  36. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA227043.pdf
  37. https://www.carolana.com/NC/Transportation/aviation/nc_airports_airfields_by_county.html
  38. https://www.aopa.org/destinations/airports/KPOB
  39. https://lifecycleconstructionservices.com/portfolio/pope-army-airfield-traffic-control-tower/
  40. https://bekbg.com/projects/pope-air-force-base/
  41. https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/2021/10/15/fayetteville-nc-multi-million-repair-work-fort-braggs-pope-army-airfield-complete/8458119002/
  42. https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2020/04/20/pope-airfield-needs-tens-of-millions-in-repairs-for-the-paratroopers-and-spec-ops-units-who-use-it/
  43. https://www.fayobserver.com/story/lifestyle/fort-bragg-life/2020/07/25/pope-army-airfield-fulfills-vital-mission-air-force-secretary-says/41843597/
  44. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/AD1085066.pdf
  45. https://www.ausa.org/articles/us-army-nato-allies-jump-exercise-swift-response-15
  46. https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/News/Display/Article/1050588/pope-airmen-82nd-airborne-division-train-for-deployments/
  47. https://www.pope.af.mil/About-Us/About-Pope/
  48. https://www.pope.af.mil/About-Us/About-Us/
  49. https://media.defense.gov/2010/Oct/27/2001330212/-1/-1/0/AFD-101027-044.pdf
  50. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/82abn.htm
  51. https://www.expeditionarycenter.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1048695/pope-airmen-82nd-airborne-train-for-deployments/
  52. https://www.jbcharleston.jb.mil/News/Article/236019/air-force-army-join-up-to-participate-in-joint-forcible-entry-exercise/
  53. https://www.pope.af.mil/News/Pope-News/Article/674877/pope-tacp-airmen-integrate-air-support-operations-center-during-warfighter-exer/
  54. https://www.amc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/786280/mobility-airmen-exercise-readiness-with-82nd-airborne-division
  55. https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/43AMOG
  56. https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/military-installation/pope-army-airfield/base-essentials/major-units
  57. https://www.airforcespecialtactics.af.mil/724STG/
  58. https://www.airforcespecialtactics.af.mil/About/Units/
  59. https://home.army.mil/bragg/about/garrison/afsbn-bragg
  60. https://home.army.mil/bragg/contact/garrison-services-phone-book
  61. https://home.army.mil/bragg/my-fort/all-services/mobdemobsrc
  62. https://www.pope.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/242550/war-fighting-partners-team-up-for-historic-jump/
  63. https://www.army.mil/article/274765/remembering_the_1994_tragedy_at_pope_air_force_base
  64. https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0302/ML030240291.pdf
  65. https://history.army.mil/portals/143/Images/Publications/catalog/70-55.pdf
  66. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA628093.pdf
  67. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/332090
  68. https://www.c-130.net/aircraft-database/C-130/mishaps-and-accidents/airforce/USAF/181/
  69. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/580710/report-details-causes-of-december-mid-air-collision-at-pope/
  70. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/320400
  71. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2015/03/19/crews-errors-blamed-for-december-midair-collision-near-pope/
  72. https://www.pope.af.mil/News/Commentaries/Display/Article/243201/risk-management/
  73. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/0696safety/
  74. https://www.safety.af.mil/Divisions/Aviation-Safety-Division/Aviation-Statistics/
  75. https://home.army.mil/bragg/about/garrison/directorate-public-works/environmental-division/environmental-compliance/pfas
  76. https://aec.army.mil/PFAS/NC/FTBR
  77. https://www.wral.com/story/army-wants-to-test-wells-near-fort-liberty-for-pfas/21541605/
  78. https://www.robertkinglawfirm.com/personal-injury/military-base-water-contamination-lawsuit/fort-bragg/
  79. https://aec.army.mil/Portals/115/PFAS/BraggPASI.pdf?ver=krv4hsYfxFK_JdhxPmkfJQ%253D%253D
  80. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-and-us-army-announce-joint-sampling-project-identify-pfas-contamination-near-army
  81. https://www.cityviewnc.com/stories/fort-liberty-finds-pfas-in-private-wells-near-base-looks-to-expand-testing-as-part-of-epas-national-program/
  82. https://aec.army.mil/Portals/115/PFAS/BraggPASI.pdf
  83. https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jul/10/2002451983/-1/-1/1/DOD_REMEDIATION_PLAN_FOR_CLEANUP_OF_WATER_IMPACTED_WITH_PFOS_OR_PFO.PDF
  84. https://www.acq.osd.mil/eie/eer/ecc/pfas/docs/reports/DoD-Plan-to-Transition-to-a-F3-Agent.pdf
  85. https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-24-107322.pdf
  86. https://www.robertkinglawfirm.com/personal-injury/military-base-water-contamination-lawsuit/pope-air-force-base/
  87. https://www.acq.osd.mil/eie/eer/ecc/pfas/docs/data/DoD-PFAS-Progress-31MAR25.pdf
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.