POPE AIR FORCE BASE

Pope Air Force Base is located adjacent to Fort Bragg and is the forward deployment platform for the XVIII Airborne Corps. The Green Ramps at Pope Air Force Base houses the Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group operations. The Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group area provides critical command, control, staging, and out-load facilities to support the deployment of personnel and equipment by aircraft. In accordance with the recommendation of the Base Closing and Realignment Commission, the Pope Air Force Base will cease it operation as an independent installation and in its place the Air Force Reserve’s 440th Airlift Wing, which will move this year from Milwaukee to Pope Air Force. Pope Air Force Base will become Fort Bragg’s Pope Army Airfield by 2011. Approximately, 3,240 people will be stationed at Pope when BRAC mandated moves are complete.

To strengthen the ability to deploy troops, a major new interstate-standard highway, the Outer Loop/US 13 is planned. This will provide direct access from all major troop areas to Interstate 95, which provides direct access to all major transportation hubs on the east coast.

SPECIAL OPERATIONS

Fort Bragg has been the home of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) for over four decades. It began in 1952 with 10 soldiers and today there are approximately 26,000 soldiers assigned to USASOC. Special operations are conducted by specially-trained, equipped and organized Department of Defense forces against strategic or tactical targets in pursuit of national military, political, economic or psychological objectives. Army Special Operations Forces consist of Special Forces, Ranger, Special Operations Aviation, Psychological Operations, and Civil Affairs

Military Business Center

The General Assembly appropriated $2 million to establish at Fayetteville Technical Community College a Military Business Center. Although the Center is located in Fayetteville, it is designed to serve the residents and businesses throughout the state. The Center provides assistance to prospective businesses interested in military contracts. Specifically, it assists businesses in marketing, contracting, registrations and certifications required for obtaining government contracts. It will serve as a mentor to clients interested in developing proposals and bidding for military contracts. The Center also has the capability to forecast the needs of military installations in the state.