New Castle Air National Guard Base

New Castle Air National Guard Base is a United States Air Force installation located at Wilmington Airport in New Castle County, Delaware. It is controlled by the Delaware Air National Guard and operates as a dual-use facility, sharing its airfield with Wilmington Airport. The base was constructed in 1943 as New Castle Army Air Base during World War II, initially serving the Air Corps Ferrying Command for overseas aircraft delivery and later for air transport of passengers and cargo. After the war, it became a joint-use base.

In 1950, the facility was renamed New Castle Air Force Base, coming under the jurisdiction of the Air Defense Command. Various units were stationed there, including the 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing and the 113th Fighter-Interceptor Wing. The base was involved in an incident in 1952 when interceptors were scrambled to investigate unknown objects over Washington, D.C. In 1957, the air defense mission was transferred to the Delaware Air National Guard, and the base was redesignated New Castle Air National Guard Base.

Since then, the base has been home to the 166th Airlift Wing (166 AW) of the Delaware Air National Guard, which is operationally-gained by the Air Mobility Command. The wing operates Lockheed C-130 H2 Hercules transport aircraft, providing tactical airlift, air and land drop capabilities, and aeromedical evacuation. The 166th Airlift Wing has participated in various operations, including Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Just Cause, Operation Joint Endeavor, and the Global War on Terrorism. The installation spans 79.6 acres and includes 44 buildings.