Pope Field

Pope Field, formerly Pope Air Force Base, is a U.S. military facility situated 12 miles northwest of Fayetteville, North Carolina, within Fort Bragg. Established in 1919, it is named after First Lieutenant Harley Halbert Pope, who died in a plane crash in January 1919. The installation is operated by the U.S. Air Force through agreements with the U.S. Army as part of Fort Bragg. Its primary mission involves supporting joint airborne training with Army forces and providing rapid deployment coordination for the 82nd Airborne Division's Immediate Response Force.

Throughout its history, Pope Field has undergone significant transformations. In the 1930s, paved runways replaced dirt fields. During World War II, it served as a troop carrier training site, integral to paratrooper training at Fort Bragg. After the war, it became Pope Air Force Base in 1947, hosting units like the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Group and later the 464th Troop Carrier Wing, which received the Mackay Trophy in 1964 for hostage rescue missions in the Congo. Aircraft upgrades included the C-119, C-123, and C-130 Hercules. In 1971, the 317th Tactical Airlift Wing took over, pioneering adverse weather aerial delivery systems. In 1992, the 23rd Wing was established at Pope, integrating fighter and airlift assets. A notable incident occurred on March 23, 1994, when an F-16 and C-130 collided, resulting in the Green Ramp disaster, which killed 24 Army paratroopers.

In 1997, the 43rd Airlift Wing assumed command, providing strategic and tactical airlift support. The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Plan led to the transfer of units and the absorption of Pope Air Force Base into Fort Bragg on March 1, 2011, becoming Pope Field. In 2021, the main runway and lighting system underwent a $90 million replacement. Currently, the U.S. Army Fort Bragg Garrison is the host organization, providing airfield support and security. The U.S. Air Force 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group performs en route operations support, while other units like the 18th Air Support Operations Group, 427th Special Operations Squadron, 21st Special Tactics Squadron, 24th Special Tactics Squadron, and Air Force Combat Control School also operate from Pope Field. The airfield features a 2,895.9-meter Porous European Mix runway and a 914.4-meter asphalt assault strip.