A lesson in Dover AFB’s first 30 years

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Lovers of history, the Air Force, and Dover AFB were in for a real treat as many of them attended a lecture focusing on all three subjects.

Mike Leister, Air Mobility Command director, presented a free program, “From Humble Beginnings: A Short History of Dover Air Force Base, The First Thirty Years,” July 2, 2016, at the Delaware Public Archives in Dover, Delaware.

“The AMC Museum has worked with the Public Archives for decades promoting Kent County Tourism,” said Leister. “The first 30 years was a manageable program. It brought us up to the C-5 era and left room for a future presentation.”

In the program, Leister covered the base’s history from its origins as a U.S. Army air base during World War II, through the Cold War era and the introduction of the C-5A Galaxy.

“The Delaware Public Archives was honored to host a program about the history of Dover Air Force Base,” said Tom Summers, DPA outreach services manager. “The base contributed so much to the community over the years and the archives believed this was an excellent way to show our appreciation.”

The Delaware Public Archives is located in downtown Dover, adjacent to the Delaware Legislative Hall, and the current facility holds more than 95,000 cubic feet of government records and historical documents. Its mission is three-fold. First, it is to identify, collect and preserve public records of enduring historical and evidential value. Secondly, it ensures access to public records for present and future generations of Delawareans. And thirdly, it advises and educates in the creation, management, use and preservation of public records. For additional information on DPA: www.archives.delaware.gov/index.shtml.

The next upcoming program featuring Dover AFB as a topic, “The Cold War’s Effect on the Dover Air Force Base and its Surrounding Communities,” will take place on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at the Delaware Public Archives, located at 121 M.L.K. Jr Blvd N, Dover, Delaware 19901. This program is open and free to the public.

For additional information on the AMC Museum: www.amcmuseum.org.