Eglin Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Valparaiso, Florida (Okaloosa County)
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Eglin Air Force Base is located in the Florida Panhandle in Okaloosa County near the communities of Valparaiso, Niceville, and Fort Walton Beach. Established in 1935 as Valparaiso Bombing and Gunnery Base, it is the largest Air Force base in the world by land area, encompassing approximately 724 square miles of land range and 101,000 square miles of water range in the Gulf of Mexico. Eglin serves as the primary development and test center for Air Force armaments, and is home to a variety of operational flying units and special operations forces.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Develop, test, and evaluate conventional air-delivered weapons and navigation/guidance systems; provide combat-ready forces to support Air Force and joint missions.
Major Units:
96th Test Wing — Air Force Materiel Command; armament test and evaluation
33rd Fighter Wing — F-35A Lightning II (Air Combat Command)
919th Special Operations Wing (Air Force Reserve) — Duke Field
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) units
7th Special Forces Group (U.S. Army) — tenant unit
Air Armament Center
96th Medical Group
Tenant Units: 7th Special Forces Group (Army), Hurlburt Field (adjacent, separate installation), Duke Field (geographically separated unit), Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Fort Walton Beach, Florida (approximately 5 miles); Pensacola, Florida (approximately 50 miles west)
Nearest Commercial Airport: Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS), approximately 8 miles from main gate; Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) in Panama City, approximately 60 miles east
Gate Access: Multiple gates; main gate at Eglin Boulevard operates 24/7; CAC or RealID required; visitors must obtain visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; some range areas require additional access authorization

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 8,000 (Eglin proper; does not include Hurlburt Field)
Family Members: Approximately 12,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 15,000 (large test and evaluation civilian workforce)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 60,000 (including all associated personnel and contractors across the complex)

Key Facilities

Medical: 96th Medical Group — full-service clinic with primary care, dental, mental health, pharmacy, and some specialty services; Eglin AFB Hospital (previously closed; major specialty care referred to Sacred Heart Hospital Pensacola or Baptist Hospital Pensacola)
Commissary: Yes — large commissary serving a substantial military community; one of the busier commissaries in the Southeast
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — large Main Exchange (BX) with full retail, clothing, electronics, food court, shoppette, and gas station
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers, indoor and outdoor pools, Eglin Golf Course (championship 18-hole), marina, beach access on Okaloosa Island (through MWR), bowling, auto hobby shop, outdoor recreation center
Schools: Okaloosa County School District serves dependent children; several schools near base; no DoDEA school on base; Niceville High School is particularly popular with military families
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; high demand due to large population; early registration strongly recommended; School-Age Care program available
Veterinary Services: Eglin AFB Veterinary Treatment Facility; services include wellness exams, vaccinations, microchipping, and care for military working dogs; privately owned animal appointments available
Legal Assistance / JAG: 96th Test Wing Judge Advocate; legal assistance available by appointment; walk-in services for simple documents; located in the Mission Support Complex

Housing

On-Base Housing: Managed by Balfour Beatty Communities; approximately 2,300 family housing units in multiple neighborhoods (Destin Heights, Lake Lorraine area, etc.); units generally well-maintained; ongoing renovation program
Average Wait Time: Moderate to long; 3-6 months for many unit sizes; highly competitive due to desirable location and large population
Off-Base Housing: Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Shalimar, Crestview, and Destin; average rent for 3-bedroom home ranges approximately $1,600-$2,500/month; Destin premium housing significantly higher; Crestview is more affordable
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Gaining unit coordinates sponsor assignment; 96th Test Wing Airman & Family Readiness Center provides newcomer resources and can assist with sponsor connections
In-Processing: Report to Military Personnel Section on arrival; in-processing typically takes 2-3 days; installation newcomers orientation covers key services and local area information
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Managed through 96th Medical Group; enrollment required prior to PCS for families with special needs; Okaloosa County area has a reasonable network of pediatric specialists and therapists; contact EFMP coordinator early for pre-screening

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical; hot and humid summers (85-95 degrees F); mild winters rarely below freezing; hurricane season (June-November) requires preparation; beautiful white-sand beaches
Cost of Living: Moderate to high — the Emerald Coast is a desirable tourist and retirement destination; housing costs have risen significantly; no Florida state income tax
Nearby Attractions: Destin beaches and Destin Harbor, Seaside and Rosemary Beach (30 miles east), Gulf Islands National Seashore, Crab Island, Air Force Armament Museum on base, water sports throughout the area
Spouse Employment: Fort Walton Beach/Niceville area has a significant defense and contractor job market; tourism and hospitality are large sectors; Northwest Florida State College offers educational opportunities

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.eglin.af.mil
Main Installation Phone: (850) 882-1110
MWR Website: https://www.eglinservices.com
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) — (850) 882-4087; located in Building 90 on base

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: www.eglin.af.mil, militaryinstallations.mil, 96th Test Wing public affairs, AHRN housing data, DeCA commissary locator, Okaloosa County School District