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Pope Army Airfield Base Guide

Kena Sosa

Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina

Pope Army Airfield is a former Air Force base now part of the Fort Liberty garrison. There are still Air Force missions here; this base is home to the 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group, responsible for deployments to Joint Special Operations Command and the XVIII Airborne Corps and 82nd Airborne Division.

Pope Army Airfield is near Fayetteville, North Carolina, a city with almost 400,000 people. Get all the info you need about Pope Army Airfield including schools, commissary info, base phone numbers, nearby colleges, and more.

Pope Army Airfield Base History

Pope Army Airfield has partnered with Fort Liberty, creating a relationship that employs about ten percent of the army, benefitting servicemen and women as well as the community and the country they serve. Troops from PAA conduct airlift and port missions and contribute to humanitarian missions worldwide.

Named after 1st Lt. Harley Halbert Pope in 1919, who died in a crash near Cape Fear River, Pope Field has demonstrated its importance in U.S. air support through its sustained cooperation with the armed forces and philanthropic missions.

Pope Army Airfield, although supporting the Air Force, was transferred to the Army in 2005, supporting Fort Bragg. The base has over 2,500 active duty members and their families, as well as almost 1,000 civilians. PAA is affiliated with Fort Bragg, which has about 60,000 active duty members.

Pope Army Airfield Surrounding Area

The nearest metro area to Pop Army Field is Fayetteville, North Carolina, with many recreational options for adults and families. Those interested in learning more about the installation and the military will enjoy the Airport and Special Operations Museum.

Spend the day perusing the Museum of The Cape Fear and the nearby Cape Fear Botanical Gardens. For families, Fascinate-U Children’s Museum is an ideal excursion with smaller children.

For those with older kids and an adventurous streak, ZipQuest Waterfall and Treetop Adventure has plenty of courses and choices to get the adrenaline moving. For those who prefer to spend a day on the green, golfers will be excited to learn that Fort Bragg is home to both Ryder Golf Course and Stryker Golf Course, with various membership types and the additional option of lessons. For more information, call (910) 907-4653.

Pope Army Airfield Mission and Units

The 43d Air Mobility Operations Group provides Senior Air Force Airfield support to the Army’s XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg Installation Garrison Commanders, fulfilling military and humanitarian needs worldwide.

Pope Army Airfield is home to the following units:

• 43rd Air Mobility Squadron
• 43rd Communications Squadron
• 43rd Comptroller Squadron
• 43rd Force Unit Squadron
• 43rd Force Support Squadron
• 43rd Medical Squadron
• 43rd Operations Support Squadron
• 34th Combat Training Squadron
• 49th Combat Training Squadron
• 43rd Group Staff Agencies

Pope Army Airfield In-Processing and Check-In

Consult your squadron directly to schedule appointments for in-processing. After arrival, you must sign in with your Commander Support Staff. They will guide you through the initial phase of your employment on base and provide essential information about your duties.

Your appointments will include but are not limited to:

• Pope Newcomers Orientation an introduction to Pope Army Field Forces and the Fayetteville community
• The opportunity to meet with the Group Commander
• Finance briefing and various other agencies

Child Care at Pope Army Airfield

Many childcare options are available at Fort Bragg and Pope Army Airfield through the Child Development Center (CDC). Children ages six weeks to five years old are eligible for hourly or full-time, or after-school care, including kids with special needs.

Payments for child care are usually made on a sliding scale to accommodate families. Call (910) 396-4313 or (910) 908-4564 to inquire. At nearby Fort Bragg, home childcare options with qualified providers are available for children from one month old to 12 years old.

Youth programs and the accredited School Age Program are available for older children for social opportunities and fun. Call (910) 908-4314 to learn how to register.

The Alexander CDC is located in the nearby Linden Oaks Housing Area in the Covas Military Housing area and may provide more off-base options. The Alexander CDC can be reached at (910) 495-0878 for more information.

Pope Army Airfield Housing

Finding housing through the Air Force can be achieved through the Air Force Housing Department. Air Force Housing can provide housing details and potential opportunities. Fort Liberty and Pope Field Housing are affiliated with the Corvias Leasing Center. Contact Corvius at the center below:

Email: Libertyrelocation@corvias.com

There are nearly 700 units of multi-bedroom residencies with various amenities, and there are now options for retired military and DoD Civilians. For more information, call (877) 703-6540. Additional housing units can be found at Randolph Pointe on Fort Bragg for those needing smaller residencies. Call (910) 764-5008.

Related: Basic Allowance for Housing Calculator

PCS and TDY Lodging at Pope Army Airfield

Your options for new arrivals needing temporary housing are more limited at short notice. Book in advance for best results. Contact the Lodging Office in Moon Hall at Fort Liberty for reservations when you have orders to the base. Call (910) 396-7700.

Transportation

Because of its location, there are many options for arrival at Pope Air Force Base. Travelers can fly into Fayetteville Regional Airport, less than five miles from PAA. From the airport, a taxi ride is the easiest way to get to the base. After dark, use a taxi and make someone aware of your arrival time.

The base is also accessible by car using I-95 or highways 24, 87 or 210. If traveling from I-95 north, head toward Owen Drive. If coming from the south, head toward Grove Street. Access from the smaller highways at Manchester gate may not be possible on the weekends. The Carolina Inn can be used temporarily if immediate lodging on base is unavailable.

Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License

All vehicles should have a valid inspection sticker if local to North Carolina and pay state vehicle tax unless arrangements are made for exemption for active duty members. Family members receive a discounted rate. As in most states, liability insurance and a valid driver’s license are mandatory.

It is lawful to use seatbelts, applicable child safety regulations and to avoid using a cell phone while operating a vehicle. Check local and state laws for changes and specifics.

Pope Army Airfield Schools

Housing is key to enrolling in the school you want at Pope Army Airfield. Those living on base cannot be registered at local schools. According to the Department of Defense, “A catch-22 exists for people staying on-base in lodging,’ and newcomers should take note.

“Because they are on-base, on government property, they cannot be enrolled in local (Cumberland County, Harnett County, etc.) schools.” If you can’t get on-base housing within 90 days, your children “cannot be enrolled in the DODEA-run schools on the installation.”  The School Liaison is the resource about this policy and more information on how to find and enroll in the appropriate school.

Housing must be achieved in 90 days to secure a school. Off-base housing can enroll near temporary lodging and adjust once permanent housing is secured. Always bring immunization records, report cards, and other relevant schooling documentation when enrolling. Call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at Pope Army Airfield for questions at (910) 907-0200.

• The Pope Elementary School is closed; families will be referred to one of 10  other elementary schools at Fort Bragg
• Irwin Middle School: 5th-6th graders bused from Pope Army Airfield
• Albritton Middle School: 6th-8th graders bused from Pop Army Airfield to Ft. Bragg
• E. E. Smith High School – 9th-12th graders in base housing are bused here

Local School Districts:

• Cumberland County Schools
• Fort Bragg Schools
• Harnett County Schools
• Hoke County Schools
• Lee County Schools
• Moore County Schools

Pope Army Airfield Colleges and Universities

For service members looking to attain a higher level of education, the Education Office has resources including tuition assistance, detailed program information and locations for higher-level institutions that encourage military enrollment.

Currently, on Pope Air Field, the following institutions offer college and university-level education: Campbell University offers bachelor’s programs in Business Administration, Accounting, History, Economics, and Computer Information, while Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) also offers satellite classes.

The Pope Education Office can provide more information and services at (910) 394-4692.

Related: Ultimate GI Bill Guide

Pope Army Airfield Contacts

Pope Army Airfield
829 Stiner Street, Bldg 430
Pope Army Airfield, NC 28308-2404

• Base operator (910) 394-2538
• Child Development Center (910) 394-4323
• School Liaison Office (919) 722-5810
• Temporary Lodging (910) 394-4131
• Emergency Relief Services (910) 394-2538
• Chapel (910) 394-3123
• Housing Office (910) 495-0878
• Relocation Assistance Program (910) 394-2538
• Pass and ID or equivalent (910) 394-1934

Related: Ultimate Military Benefits Guide