Eglin Air Force Base
Our community and nation greatly benefit from our local military bases and auxiliary fields. Just south of Crestview, beginning at the Shoal River, lies Eglin Air Force Base. Eglin, the largest Air Force base in the world, covers three counties and over 724 square miles of land and 123,000 square miles into the Gulf of Mexico. More than 20,000 jobs and $1.4 billion are tied directly to activities at Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field and Duke Field. The total economic impact of Department of Defense (DOD) activity in Okaloosa County is over $5 billion—making it the largest employer since its inception in 1935 and making Okaloosa County the most Department of Defense dependant county in the state. Eglin also comprises laboratories, test sites and 10 auxiliary fields, including Duke and Hurlburt Fields.
The Active Associate Unit is at Duke Field. The Air Force Reserve owns the aircraft and the active duty provides aircrew and maintenance personnel to share the mission with reserve members. Duke Field is located just five miles south of Crestview and houses part of the 919th Special Operations Wing (SOW). The 919th SOW includes the 711th Special Operations Squadron (SOS), the 919th Maintenance Squadron (MXS), the 8th SOS, the 716th MXS and will soon be the home of the U.S. Army’s 7th Special Forces—along with subordinate units of the 1st SOW of Hurlburt Field.
The Air Force Special Operations Command’s (AFSOC) largest unit, the 1st SOW, is a native of Hurlburt Field. AFSOC units are responsible for providing specialized airpower and also equips, trains, educates and deploys Air Force Special Operations forces around the world. Hurlburt Field is located southeast of Crestview near Mary Esther and Highway 98. Other units based at Hurlburt Field include the 720th Special tactics Group (STG), 505th Command and Control Wing and the 823rd Red Horse Squadron.
Eglin Air Force base also accommodates some associated organizations—such as the 6th Ranger Training Battalion, the 20th Space Control Squadron and the Explosive Ordinance Disposal of the Naval School.
Yes, Eglin Air Force base and its components are a very large part of our land, our community, our economy, our lives and our nation
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