Eglin Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately 3 miles southwest of Valparaiso, Florida in Okaloosa County.
Location
Eglin AFB is located in Okaloosa County, in northwest Florida, comprising over 640 square miles. Eglin is located 8 miles northwest of Fort Walton Beach, FL; 60 miles east of Pensacola, FL and 65 miles west of Panama City, FL.
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History
Modern-day Eglin evolved from an honorable past. Eglin began as the Valparaiso Bombing and Gunnery Base, established in 1935. On August 4, 1937, the base was redesignated Eglin Field in honor of Lt. Col. Frederick I. Eglin, who died in an aircraft crash. Today, Eglin hosts some 50 associate units representing virtually every major command including our sister services, the U.S. Army Ranger Camp, and the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal School. Visit the Eglin homepage for more information.
Mission
The major command at Eglin is the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC). The Air Armament Center (AAC) is the host unit at Eglin. AAC pulls every phase in the life cycle of air delivered weapons from development through sustainment. The AAC is responsible for conventional and unconventional weapons systems. The major commands on Eglin include AFMC, ACC and the Special Operations Command.
Population Served
- Active Duty Military: 9,470
- Civilian Employees: 4,038
- NAF Employees: 575
- Contractors: 2,957
Base Transportation
Base transportation on Eglin is provided by either a Base Shuttle bus or Base Taxi.
Sponsorship
All incoming personnel should report to the 24 hour Reception Center, Building 11001, 850-882-8761 or DSN 312-872-8761, where you can contact your sponsor or receive further information. The Airman and Family Readiness Center can be contacted at 850-882-9060 or DSN 312-872-9060.
Temporary Quarters
Reservations can be made in advance by contacting Eglin Inns at 850-882-4534 or DSN 312-872-4534. You may also pre-register for housing by calling the Housing Office at 850-882-4533.
Relocation Assistance
Eglin Airman and Family Readiness Center has a well-stocked loan closet for arrivals/departures. Call 850-882-2893 to check on availability of loaner items. If there is no answer please call 850-882-9060. Civilian employees moving to Eglin are encouraged to go to the AFPC PCS web page for the most recent civilian PCS information.
Contact Information
403 N SEVENTH ST
Eglin AFB, FL 32542-5000
Eglin AFB Telephone Assistance: (850) 882-1113
Media Relations: (850) 882-3931
Space A Flights: Call (850) 882-4757
Military Personnel Flight: Call (850) 882-2742
Safety Precautions
A major concern in NW Florida is HURRICANE SEASON (from June to November). Call ahead if you are arriving at Eglin and a hurricane is predicted to hit this area. Watch the Weather Channel (monitor weather conditions) and contact your sponsor as Eglin AFB may be evacuated and the surrounding roads will be congested with people leaving the area. The community surrounding Eglin offers white sand beaches and water sports in the surrounding bays and Gulf of Mexico. Riptides and strong undertow will challenge a strong and masterful swimmer. These conditions are extremely dangerous. Ensure that everyone in your party has had a safety briefing. Parents should brief all children on the dangers of riptides and rip currents before entering the waters surrounding Eglin. Children must be supervised at all times. Signs at the swimming areas may not be posted. It is dangerous to swim or play in water where there is no lifeguard. Make it a practice to use sunscreen (especially children) on the white sand beaches. The color of the sand intensifies and reflects the heat rays. Use gradual exposure so that your body will become accustomed to sunbathing. Most of the venomous snakes found in North America can be found in NW Florida. Be alert for snakes and alligators when you walk in wooded or marshy areas.
Telephone Access
All numbers listed are in the 850 area code, except as indicated.
To call Eglin DSN 312-872-9060 or (850) 882-9060
NW Florida can have a very active HURRICANE SEASON, from June to November. Monitor weather news.
The community surrounding Eglin offers white sand beaches and water sports in the surrounding bays and Gulf of Mexico. Riptides and strong undertow will challenge a strong and masterful swimmer. These conditions are extremely dangerous.
Make it a practice to use sunscreen (especially children) while recreating on the white sand beaches. The color of the sand intensifies heat and reflects sun rays. Gradually expose yourself to this environment so that your body will adjust to this reality.
Most of the venomous snakes found in North America can be found in NW Florida. Be alert for snakes and alligators when you walk in wooded or marshy areas.
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included.