DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- History enthusiasts are invited to step back in time for a presentation centered on the early days of Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, July 2 at the Delaware Public Archives in Dover.
The event, beginning at 10:30 a.m., is entitled, “From Humble Beginnings: The First 30 Years of Dover Air Force Base.”
Mike Leister, the Air Mobility Command Museum’s director, is set to cover several significant events along the base’s historical timeline, including how the city of Dover accepted an offer to build a federally funded airport in 1940. Other topics include formerly classified missions and why the base closed and re-opened.
“Anyone with an interest in history would enjoy this,” said Leister, who’s also a Dover veteran, having served here on active-duty, as an Air Reserve Technician and as a traditional reservist.
He served in the aircraft maintenance career field for over 20 years and retired from the 512th Airlift Wing in 1995.
He actually still served as a TR, when he first accepted the museum director’s position 30 years ago.
“At that time, we had one hangar to use that was on the condemned list, and we had one aircraft that had been rejected by several other museums,” he said. “The museum’s timeline parallels with what has happened here at the base. Both had very modest beginnings.”
Currently, the AMC Museum is ranked number one on an online travel website’s “Things To Do in Delaware” list, according to a DPA press release, which also highlights Leister’s 2008 induction into the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame.
“I’ve always liked history and mechanical things,” said Leister. “I love what I do, and I’ve learned there’s enough of a need and want to preserve our history. I’m glad to be able to share some of the neat and interesting things that have put Dover Air Force Base on the map.”
Leister’s personal and professional interest in the History of Dover Army Airfield and Dover Air Force Base come together for a one-hour program, which is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required for the event, located at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Dover.