Our Military Neighbors

Eglin AFB

Eglin Air Force Base has been the major employer in the Bay Area since its inception in 1935. While many military bases have been undergoing reductions in manpower, Eglin’s workforce remains constant and is expected to grow with approval of BRAC. The unique features of Eglin’s land and water ranges with precious clear airspace have become a rare commodity for the United States Military. The land area totals 724 square miles, and 123,000 square miles of water test ranges in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Air Armament Center (AAC), of the Air Force Material Command (AFMC), is located at Eglin AFB. It is one of four product centers in AFMC. Serving as the focal point for all Air Force armaments, the center is responsible for the development, acquisition, testing, deployment and sustainment of all air-delivered weapons. The AAC applies advanced technology, engineering and programming efficiencies across the entire product life cycle to provide superior combat capability to the warfighter. The center plans, directs and conducts tests and evaluations of U.S. and allied air armament, navigation/guidance systems and command and control systems. There are two wings (Air-to-Air Missile Systems Wing and Air-to-Ground Munitions Systems Wing) and one group, Air Combat Support Systems Group, assigned to the center. The 96 Air Base Wing is Eglin's host wing and installation commander.

Other major units based at Eglin include the 46th Test Wing, 53rd Wing, 33rd Fighter Wing, the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate, the Navy Joint Service Explosive Ordnance School, 919th Special Operations Wing and Camp Rudder U.S. Army Ranger Camp and the 20th Space Control Squadron.

Many military families have commented on the friendliness of our area residents, which may be the reason so many military families have chosen the Bay Area as their permanent home following their military career.

Hurlburt Field

Hurlburt Field is the home of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), the Air Force component of United States Special Operations Command. AFSOC provides America’s specialized airpower and also trains, equips, educates and deploys Air Force special operations forces around the world.

AFSOC’s largest special operations unit, the 16th Special Operations Wing, is based at Hurlburt and specializes in unconventional warfare, focusing on the insertion, extraction and close air support of special forces. The unit has played a significant part in every conflict since the Vietnam War. The 16th SOW flies AC-130H/U Gunships, MC-130E/H Combat Talons, MC-130P Combat Shadows and MH-53J/M Pave Low helicopters.

The other major units located at Hurlburt include AFSOC's 720th special tactics group which trains and manages Air Force Special Tactics teams, the USAF’s Special Operations School and the 505th Command and Control Wing. USAFSOS offers courses in geopolitical, psychological and military aspects of the U.S. Air Force and Joint Special Operations.

The 505th CCW, a subordinate unit to the Air Warfare Center headquartered at Nellis AFB, Nevada, directs USAF operational air and space command and control center of excellence and builds the predominant air and space command and control capability for the warfighter.

Hurlburt is also home of Air Combat Command’s 823rd RED HORSE Civil Engineer Squadron. The squadron rapidly deploys worldwide to support DOD combat construction and peace time disaster response needs.

Duke Field

Duke Field, 5 miles south of Crestview, is the home of the 919th Special Operations Wing. The wing's two flying units, the 711th Special Operations Squadron and the 5th SOS, based at Eglin Air Force Base, fly two types of aircraft. The MC-130E Combat Talon and the MC-130P Combat Shadow respectively. These aircraft are specially modified for covert operations and aerial refueling of special operation helicopters. The 919th SOW employs more than 1,300 reservists and 300-full time civil service employees. About 300 active-duty members are also based at Duke.

As the only special operations unit in the Air Force Reserve, the 919th deploys in numerous contingencies throughout the world. In October 2001, more than 600 wing reservist were activated in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the war against terrorism. By October 2002, close to 550 reservists were extended for a second year of activation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the two-year period following Sept. 11, 2001, the wing tallied approximately 1,800 combat sorties and 5,000 combat hours.

Duke Field was used as a staging base for relief efforts after Hurricane Dennis struck the local area in July. The wing also flew multiple supply and helicopter aerial refueling missions into Louisiana and along the Gulf coast in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in August and September. Wing members continue to support operations in Iraq and around the world.