Editing Pope Field (section)

===Merger with Fort Bragg===
In the [[Base Realignment and Closure, 2005|2005 Base Realignment and Closure Plan]], the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] started its plan to realign Pope AFB, NC. The Commission called for moving the [[23rd Fighter Group]]'s 36 [[A-10 Thunderbolt]] II (Warthogs) to [[Moody Air Force Base|Moody AFB, Georgia]] and the 43rd Airlift Wing's 25 [[C-130 Hercules|C-130E's]] to [[Little Rock Air Force Base|Little Rock AFB, Arkansas]]; established a Medical Squadron; activated an Air Force Group to provide mission execution, planning, and management of efficient load-out of Fort Bragg assets; and transferred Real Property accountability to the Army. The 2005 BRAC Law directed that the mandates be completed no later than 15 September 2011.

The 23rd Fighter Group rejoined the 23rd Wing in a ceremony held on 18 August 2006 at Pope. On 19 December 2007, the last three of the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft left for Moody AFB.

On 1 March 2011, Pope Air Force Base was absorbed into Fort Bragg, becoming Pope Field.<ref name="US Army 2011" /><ref name="USAF 2011" /><ref name="Observer 2011" />