Dover Air Force Base’s retired C-141B Starlifter
Their names tell the story of these magnificent flying machines: Galaxy, Globemaster, and Starlifter. They are among the largest and most specialized aircraft ever to fly with the United States military. Join pilot and transportation expert Scott Hercik to go behind the scenes and on board these giant aircraft that carry soldiers and their supplies around the world.
The day begins at Dover Air Force Base to explore its history of hosting a variety of training, anti-submarine, fighter, bomber, and transport aircraft. Learn about Dover’s current role as home base for the state-of-the-art C-17 Globemaster III and C-5M Super Galaxy. A tour of the base includes a climb high into the control tower to observe arriving and departing flights. Meet with leaders of the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, whose responsibility is the dignified return of the remains of Department of Defense personnel and dependents from overseas operations.
After a luncheon with some of the talented men and women who keep the Air Force’s magnificent giants flying through the sky, explore the Air Mobility Command Museum, home to vintage aircraft and the largest military airplane in any museum in the world. View the historic air traffic control tower exhibit and the museum’s World War II-era display hangar. Explore a number of prop, turbo-prop, and jet aircraft and climb aboard the massive C-141 Starlifter. Other highlights feature the prop-driven C-124 Globemaster II, a historic C-47 flown on D-Day, the famous C-54 used in the Berlin Airlift, and an inside look at the C-5A Galaxy, which is among the largest military aircraft in the world.
Know Before You Go
- The tour departs by motorcoach from downtown Washington, DC with a designated secondary pick-up outside the city. Content delivered by the study leader on the way to the destination, after the secondary pick-up, is an integral part of the study tour experience. Meeting the group once the tour is en route is discouraged.
- Tour participants meet at and leave by bus from the Mayflower Hotel, Connecticut Avenue and DeSales Street, NW, with a pickup stop at the New Carrollton Metro Route 50/south-side Kiss & Ride kiosk at about 7:55 a.m.
- Note: A government-issued-photo ID is required. Participants will be contacted prior to the tour for additional security information.
General Information
- Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
- Smithsonian is a mask-friendly environment. Masks are strongly recommended to be worn on buses at all times and may also be required at various indoor sites.
- For additional tour information:
