News

Super Port: Moving passengers, cargo

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zoe M. Wockenfuss
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Free flights to beautiful vacation spots like Germany, Spain or California? Well, look no further than the 436th Passenger Terminal at Dover Air Force Base!

Service members, retirees and dependents can get seats on Dover aircraft for Space Available travel. Primary destinations for “hops” are Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Spangdahlem AB, Germany, Rota Naval Air Station, Spain, Travis AFB, CA, Joint Base Charleston, SC, and JB Lewis-McChord, WA.

“Our primary function here is to move any [Department of Defense] eligible passengers, whether they are traveling to and from TDY locations or if they’re traveling on a space available basis, family members, environmental morale leave, dependents and retirees, all have the ability to travel through the AMC system,” said Master Sgt. Melinda Santiago, 436th Aerial Port Squadron Passenger Terminal superintendent passenger and fleet services.

In addition to regular passenger transport, the PAX terminal supports the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations mission by getting passengers off the plane in order for the transfer to begin. Military working dogs and their handlers also travel frequently through the terminal. The dogs are considered cargo, so the handlers must be there to escort them the entire time.

APS is made up of two large parts, cargo and passengers. Cargo is the main priority, but when there is space available on an aircraft, passengers are able to reserve that space. Available flights are advertised on Facebook and sign-ups are done in person or by email. Active duty, guard and reserve members have priority for a flight before retirees or dependents who are flying alone.

“Date and time is very important for travel eligibility,” Santiago said. “Within the categories of travel, we rack and stack by the date and time the individual signed up.”

Dover is home to the DOD’s largest aerial port. During Operation Desert Storm the aerial port moved 26 percent of the cargo, thus deeming Dover the super port.

On average the PAX terminal moves, whether receiving or departing, approximately 800 passengers monthly. For more information call (302) 677-4088 or go to https://www.facebook.com/DoverPaxTerminal/.