Officials at Dover AFB, Del., one of the Air Force’s major airlift hubs, on June 5 accepted the base’s new $54.8 million, 13,800-foot runway that is designated 14/32 from contractor TolTest Inc., of Maumee, Ohio. The News Journal of Wilmington reported June 6 that the company completed the runway without experiencing any lost-time incidents during the 17-month construction period, which began in January 2008. The new landing strip replaces the base’s decades-old 12,903-foot-long concrete-and-asphalt runway. During the construction period, Dover was able to maintain its vital airlift mission even though it had to rely on only one operational runway, according to The News Journal. The new runway’s opening came in time for the open house and air show that the base is hosting June 20-21.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3