Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Okaloosa County, Florida (near Fort Walton Beach)
Installation Type: Air Force Base (Field)
Status: Active

Overview

Hurlburt Field was established in 1943 as a training auxiliary airfield for Eglin AFB and was officially designated Hurlburt Field in 1962, named after First Lieutenant Donald W. Hurlburt, a pilot killed in an aircraft accident on the field in 1943. Located along the Gulf of Mexico in the Florida Panhandle, adjacent to the city of Mary Esther and near Fort Walton Beach, Hurlburt Field is the headquarters of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and is widely considered the center of gravity for U.S. Air Force special operations. The base hosts the most advanced and varied special operations aircraft fleet in the world.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Organize, train, equip, and deploy Air Force special operations forces for worldwide special operations missions.
• Major Units:
• Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) — command headquarters
• 1st Special Operations Wing (1 SOW) — host wing
• 1st Special Operations Group
• 1st Special Operations Maintenance Group
• 1st Special Operations Mission Support Group
• 1st Special Operations Medical Group
• Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center (AFSOACWC) — training and doctrine
• 492nd Special Operations Wing
• Air Force Special Operations School (AFSOS)
• Tenant Units:
• Joint Special Operations University (JSOU)
• Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) liaison elements
• Various interagency and special mission unit detachments (not publicly disclosed)

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Fort Walton Beach, Florida — approximately 3 miles east; Pensacola, FL — approximately 60 miles west
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) — approximately 30 miles east; Pensacola International Airport (PNS) — approximately 60 miles west
• Gate Access: Main gate and West gate operate 24/7. Valid CAC or military ID required for access. Visitors must obtain a visitor pass at the Visitor Control Center. RealID or equivalent identification required. Vehicle registration and proof of insurance inspections may be conducted.

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 8,000-9,000
• Family Members: Approximately 10,000-12,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 2,000-3,000
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 22,000-25,000 (including contractors)

Key Facilities

• Medical: 1st Special Operations Medical Group — primary and preventive care, dental, mental health, and flight medicine; referrals to Naval Hospital Pensacola or Eglin AFB hospital for specialty care
• Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary; also accessible at nearby Eglin AFB commissary
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Base Exchange (BX) with retail stores, food court, and specialty services; Eglin AFB main BX approximately 10 miles away offers expanded shopping
• Fitness & Recreation: Freedom Fitness Center, Outdoor Recreation (kayaking, paddleboard rentals, camping gear), marina, swimming pool, golf course access at Eglin AFB, bowling center, Arts and Crafts Center
• Schools: Fort Walton Beach area is served by Okaloosa County School District — Bruner Middle School and Fort Walton Beach High School are the primary schools for base families; no DoDEA schools on Hurlburt Field
• Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) on base — high demand; waitlists are common given the large active duty population; School Age Program and Family Child Care (FCC) options available
• Veterinary Services: Hurlburt Field Veterinary Treatment Facility — routine wellness exams, vaccinations, and preventive care for active duty family pets and military working dogs
• Legal Assistance / JAG: 1st SOW Judge Advocate office on base — legal assistance by appointment; walk-in powers of attorney and notary services available during duty hours

Housing

• On-Base Housing: Managed by Balfour Beatty Communities — approximately 900-1,100 family housing units on Hurlburt Field; additional housing available at adjacent Eglin AFB (shared management)
• Average Wait Time: Moderate to high demand; wait times vary by rank and bedroom need; typically 1-6 months or longer for preferred units
• Off-Base Housing: Fort Walton Beach, Mary Esther, Navarre, and Niceville are popular communities; average rent for a 3-bedroom home ranges approximately $1,500-$2,200/month; Gulf Coast market has seen rising prices
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Request a sponsor through the gaining unit’s orderly room or first sergeant prior to arrival; the Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) can facilitate connections
• In-Processing: Report to the Hurlburt Field in-processing center; bring all PCS orders, records, and required documentation; in-processing generally takes 3-5 duty days; some units conduct additional special operations in-processing requirements
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Managed through the 1st SOMDG and A&FRC; enrollment and screening required before PCS orders are cut; contact the EFMP coordinator at the medical group for enrollment and local resources

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Humid subtropical — hot, humid summers (frequently 90s F with high humidity), mild winters; Gulf Coast location brings hurricane risk June through November; abundant sunshine year-round
• Cost of Living: Moderate relative to the national average; Okaloosa County has seen housing cost increases due to Florida’s population growth; no state income tax in Florida provides financial benefit
• Nearby Attractions: Emerald Coast beaches (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre Beach), Destin Harbor, Blackwater River State Forest, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Crab Island, deep-sea fishing charters, Niceville and Valparaiso communities
• Spouse Employment: Good employment market in Okaloosa County; federal civilian positions available on Hurlburt and Eglin; tourism, healthcare, and retail sectors provide civilian jobs; remote work common in the AFSOC community

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://www.hurlburt.af.mil/
• Main Installation Phone: (850) 884-1110
• MWR Website: https://hurlburtfss.com/
• ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) — Hurlburt Field; (850) 884-4917

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: hurlburt.af.mil, militaryinstallations.dod.mil, afsoc.af.mil, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law