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Wikipedia - 06/30/2008

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Eglin Air Force Base
Part of Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC)
Airphoto of Eglin AFB, 15 February 1999
Location of Eglin Air Force Base
IATA: VPS – ICAO: KVPS – FAA: VPS
Summary
Airport type
Military: Air Force Base
Operator
U.S. Air Force
Location
Valparaiso, Florida
In use
1948-present
Commander
Maj. Gen. David W. Eidsaune
Occupants
96th Air Base Wing
Elevation AMSL
87 ft / 27 m
Coordinates
30°29'00?N 086°31'31?W? / ?30.483333, -86.52528

Runways
Direction
Length
Surface
ft
m
1/19
10,012
3,052
Asphalt
12/30
12,005
3,659
Asphalt/Concrete
Source: official site[1] and FAA[2]

Team Eglin Logo
Eglin Air Force Base (IATA: VPS, ICAO: KVPS) is a United States Air Force base located 1-mile (1.6 km) southwest of Valparaiso in Okaloosa County, Florida, United States.
Contents[hide]
1 Units
1.1 Major Units
1.2 Other Units
2 History
2.1 Major Commands
2.2 Base Operating Units
2.3 Operational History
3 Eglin AFB Emblem Gallery
4 Demographics
5 National historic status
6 Notable Residents
7 Climate
8 Civil rocketry
9 See also
10 References
11 External links

Units
Eglin is the home of the Air Armament Center (AAC) and is one of four product centers in Air Force Materiel Command. Serving as the focal point for all Air Force armaments, the AAC is the center responsible for the development, acquisition, testing, deployment and sustainment of all air-delivered weapons.
The host wing at Eglin is the 96th Air Base Wing (96 ABW) whose mission consists of supporting the Air Armament Center and the myriad of associate units with traditional military services as well as all the services of a small city, to include civil engineering, personnel, logistics, communications, computer, medical, security, and all other host services. Critical to the success of Eglin’s mission, the 96th Air Base Wing provides a large number of base operating support functions.
The residential portion of the base is a census-designated place; its population was 8,082 at the 2000 census.

Major Units
Air Armament Center (AAC)The center plans, directs and conducts test and evaluation of U.S. and allied air armament, navigation and guidance systems, and command and control systems and supports the largest single base mobility commitment in the Air Force. It operates two Air Force installations, providing host support not only to Eglin, but also Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.
AAC accomplishes its mission through four components:
Armament Product Directorate (Eglin)
46th Test Wing (Eglin)
96th Air Base Wing (Eglin)
377th Air Base Wing (Kirtland)
46th Test Wing (46 TW)The 46 TW is the test and evaluation center for Air Force air-delivered weapons, navigation and guidance systems, Command and Control (C2) systems, and Air Force Special Operations Command systems. The Eglin Gulf Test Range provides approximately 130,000 square miles (340,000 km²) of over water airspace.
96th Air Base Wing (96 ABW)The 96 ABW supports the Air Armament Center and other tenant units of the installation with traditional military services as well as all the services of a small city, to include civil engineering, personnel, logistics, communications, computer, medical, security.

F-15C of the 33rd Fighter Wing.
33d Fighter Wing (33 FW) (F-15C/D Eagles) Tail Code: "EG"The 33 FW “Nomads” are the largest tenant combat unit at Eglin, as well as a premier air-to-air combat unit of the Air Combat Command (ACC). With two F-15C/D squadrons and an air control squadron, the wing’s mission is to deploy worldwide and provide air superiority and air control. First established as the 33d Pursuit Group, the wing’s contribution to tactical airpower during its 50-year history has been significant with participation in campaigns around the world, while flying various fighter aircraft.
58th Fighter Squadron (Blue tail stripe)
60th Fighter Squadron (Red tail stripe)
53d Wing (53 WG)The 53 WG is headquartered at Eglin and serves as the Air Force’s focal point for operational test and evaluation of armament and avionics, aircrew training devices, chemical defense, aerial reconnaissance improvements, electronic warfare systems, and is responsible for the QF-4 and subscale drone programs. The wing tests every fighter, bomber, unmanned aerial vehicle, and weapon system in the Air Force inventory.
The wing reports to the Air Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, a Direct Reporting Unit to Headquarters Air Combat Command.
49th Test and Evaluation SquadronThe squadron plans, executes and reports ACC's weapon system evaluation programs for bombers (B-52, B-1 and B-2) and nuclear-capable fighters (F-15 and F-16). These evaluations include operational effectiveness and suitability, command and control, performance of aircraft hardware and software systems, employment tactics, and accuracy and reliability of associated precision weapons. These weapons include air-launched cruise missiles, standoff missiles, and gravity bombs. Results and conclusions support acquisition decisions and development of war plans. The unit also performs operational testing on new systems and tactics development for the B-52.
308th Armament Systems Wing (308 ASW)A joint U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy organization responsible for cradle-to-grave management of air dominance weapon system programs equipping warfighters with strike weapons to fight and win decisively.
The mission of the 308 ASW is to equip warfighters with strike weapons to fight and win decisively. The wing designs, develops, produces, fields, and sustains a family of air-to-ground munitions, enhancing warfighter capabilities (both U.S. and allies) in defeating a spectrum of enemy targets.
AFRL Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW)AFRL/RW develops, demonstrates, and transitions science and technology for air-launched munitions for defeating ground fixed, mobile/relocatable, air and space targets to assure pre-eminence of U.S. air and space forces. The directorate conducts basic research, exploratory development, and advanced development and demonstrations. It also participates in programs focused on technology transfer, dual-use technology and small business development. The directorate is dedicated to providing the Air Force with a strong revolutionary and evolutionary technology base upon which future air-delivered munitions can be developed to neutralize potential threats to the United States.

Other Units
919th Special Operations Wing (919 SOW)The 919 SOW, located about five miles (8 km) south of Crestview and 20 miles (32 km) from Eglin main at Eglin AFB Auxiliary Field #3 (Duke Field) and is the only special operations wing in the Air Force Reserve Command. In wartime or a contingency, the 919 SOW reports to Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Florida., its gaining major command.
20th Space Control Squadron (20 SCS)The mission of the 20 SCS is to detect, track, identify, and report near earth and deep space objects in earth’s orbit, and provide space object identification data in support of United States Strategic Command’s space control mission. The men and women of the 20th SPCS operate and maintain the AN/FPS-85 radar, the Air Force’s only phased-array radar dedicated to tracking earth-orbiting objects.
6th Ranger Training Battalion (6th RTB)Eglin AFB Auxiliary Field #6 (Biancur Field) is the site of Camp James E. Rudder and the home of the U. S. Army’s 6th Ranger Training Battalion. The 6th RTB conducts the final phase of the U.S. Army Ranger Course. The entire course is 61 days in length and is divided into three phases. Each phase is conducted at different geographical and environmental locations. Its mission at Eglin is to expose Ranger students to a fast-paced, 18 day field training exercise.
Naval School Explosive Ordnance DisposalThe Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD) is a Navy-managed command, jointly staffed by Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps personnel. NAVSCOLEOD had its official ribbon cutting on the new consolidated training facility in April 1999.
The Joint Fires Integration and Interoperability Team (JFIIT)This is a subordinate, functional command of U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM), tasked with improving the integration, interoperability, and effectiveness of Joint fires.
USJFCOM established JFIIT in February 2005 to provide assistance to Joint force commanders and Service headquarters in planning, coordinating, and executing Joint fires at the tactical level. JFIIT's 120-member team is made up of members from all four Services and Department of Defense (DoD) civilians with contractor support.
AFOTEC Det 2The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center stood up Detachment 2 at Eglin to meet the growing demand to provide realistic operational testing for new and modified weapon systems. Since then, Detachment 2 has partnered with the warfighter and the developmental test community to provide the most thorough and rigorous operational test programs found anywhere in the world.

History
Eglin Air Force Base was named on 24 Jun 1948 in honor of Lt Col Frederick Irving Eglin (1891-1937). First rated as a military aviator in 1917, he helped train other flyers during World War I. On 1 Jan 1937, while assigned to General Headquarters, Air Force, Langley Field, VA, Colonel Eglin was killed in the crash of his Northrop A-17 pursuit aircraft on a flight from Langley to Maxwell Field, AL.
Pervious names of Eglin AFB were:
Valparaiso Bombing and Gunnery Base, 14 Jun 1935
Eglin Field, 4 Aug 1937
Eglin Field Military Reservation, 1 Oct 1940
Eglin Field, 28 Dec 1944

Major Commands
USAAC/USAAF
Air Corps Training Cen, 9 Jun 1935 - 27 Aug 1940
Southeast Air Corps Training Cen, 27 Aug 1940 - 1 Apr 1942
AAF Proving Ground Comd, 1 Apr 1942 - 1 Jun 1945
AAF Center, 1 Jun 1945 - 8 Mar 1946
AAF Proving Ground Comd, 8 Mar 1946 -10 Jul 1946
Air Proving Ground Comd, 10 Jul 1946 - 20 Jan 1948
United States Air Force
Air Materiel Comd, 20 Jan 1948 - 1 Jun 1948
Air Proving Ground, 1 Jun 1948 - 20 Dec 1951
Air Proving Ground Comd, 20 Dec 1951 - 1 Dec 1957
Air Research and Development Comd, 1 Dec 1957 - 1 Apr 1961
Air Force Systems Command, 1 Apr 1961 - 1 Jul 1992
Air Force Materiel Command, 1 Jul 1992 - Present

Base Operating Units
USAAC/USAAF
84th Service Sq (Det), 14 Jun 1935 - 1 Sep 1936
Section V, Eglin Field Section, 13th Air Base Sq, 1 Sep 1936 - 1 Aug 1940
Det 13th Air Base Sq, 1 Aug 1940 - 1 Dec 1940
61st Air Base Gp, 1 Dec 1940 - 19 Jun 1942
51st Base HQ and Air Base Sq, 19 Jun 1942 - 1 Apr 1944
610th AAF Base Unit, 1 Apr 1944 - 30 Jun 1947
609th AAF Base Unit, 1 Jul 1947 - 1 Jul 1948
United States Air Force
3201st Air Base Gp, 1 Jul 1948 - 31 Mar 1951
3201st Air Base Wg, 31 Mar 1951 - 8 Aug 1951
3201st Air Base Gp, 8 Aug 1951 - 1 Jul 1953
3201st Air Base Wg, 1 Jul 1953 - 16 Sep 1964
3201st Air Base Gp, 16 Sep 1964 - 1 Jun 1992
96th Air Base Wing, 1 Jun 1992 - Present
1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, ??? - Present

Operational History
In 1931, personnel of the Army Air Corps Tactical School (Maxwell Field, Ala.) while looking for a bombing and gunnery range, saw the potential of the sparsely populated forested areas surrounding Valparaiso and the vast expanse of the adjacent Gulf of Mexico.
Local businessman and airplane buff James E. Plew saw the potential of a military payroll to boost the local area’s depression-stricken economy. He leased from the City of Valparaiso the 137 acres (0.6 km²) on which an airport was established in 1933, and in 1934, Plew offered the U.S. government a donation of 1,460 acres (6 km²) contiguous for the bombing and gunnery base. This leasehold became the headquarters for the Valparaiso Bombing and Gunnery Base activated on June 14, 1935, under the command of Captain Arnold H. Rich.
With the outbreak of war in Europe, a proving ground for aircraft armament was established at Eglin. The U.S. Forestry ceded to the War Department the Choctawhatchee National Forest. In 1941, the Air Corps Proving Ground was activated, and Eglin became the site for gunnery training for Army Air Forces fighter pilots, as well as a major testing center for aircraft, equipment, and tactics. In March 1942, the base served as one of the sites for Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle to prepare his B-25 crews for their raid against Tokyo. A number of auxiliary fields were constructed on the Eglin reservation at this time, many of which are still in service in various roles, either in support of flight operations or special test activities.
After the war, Eglin became a pioneer in developing the techniques for missile launching and handling; and the development of drone or pilotless aircraft. In 1947, a successful drone flight from Eglin to Washington, D.C. was conducted.
In 1950, the Air Force Armament Center was established at Eglin. After the start of the Korean War, test teams moved to the combat theater for testing in actual combat. In 1957, the Air Force combined the Air Proving Ground Command and the Air Force Armament Center to form the Air Proving Ground Center. In 1968, the Air Proving Ground Center was redesignated the Armament Development and Test Center to centralize responsibility for research, development, test and evaluation, and initial acquisition of nonnuclear munitions for the Air Force.
In 1975, the installation served as one of four main U.S. Vietnamese Refugee Processing Centers, where base personnel housed and processed more than 10,000 Southeast Asian refugees. Eglin again became an Air Force refugee resettlement center processing over 10,000 Cubans who fled to the U.S. between April and May of 1980.
During a 1992 reorganization, the Air Force disestablished Eglin's parent major command, Air Force Systems Command (AFSC) and merged its functions with the former Air Force Logistics Command (AFLC). The newly created major command from this merger, Air Force Material Command (AFMC), remains Eglin's parent command to this day.
In 1998, as part of the Air Forces' strategic plan to guide the service into the 21st century, the Air Force Development Test Center became the Air Force Materiel Command's Air Armament Center (AAC), responsible for development, acquisition, testing, and fielding all air-delivered weapons.
Eglin AFB Emblem Gallery







Demographics
Eglin employs more than 8,500 military and approximately 4,500 civilians, with an additional 2,200 jobs due to move to Eglin under the 2005 BRAC.
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 8,082 people, 2,302 households, and 2,262 families residing on the base. The population density was 2,640.1 people per square mile (1,019.8/km²). There were 2,320 housing units at an average density of 757.9/sq mi (292.7/km²). The racial makeup of the base was 71.79% White, 14.82% Black or African American, 0.48% Native American, 2.96% Asian, 0.38% Pacific Islander, 4.23% from other races, and 5.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.19% of the population.
There were 2,302 households out of which 79.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 89.8% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 1.7% were non-families. 1.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 0.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.50 and the average family size was 3.51.
On the base the population was spread out with 43.5% under the age of 18, 15.2% from 18 to 24, 39.6% from 25 to 44, 1.6% from 45 to 64, and 0.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 100.6 males.
The median income for a household on the base was $31,951, and the median income for a family was $31,859. Males had a median income of $25,409 versus $19,176 for females. The per capita income for the base was $10,670. About 4.5% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under the age of 18 and none of those 65 and older.

National historic status
There are two U.S. National Historic Landmark Districts with connections to the base: Camp Pinchot and Eglin Field.

Notable Residents
Infielder Jay Bell was born here.
Author Hunter S Thompson served here in the 50s.

Climate
Warm, subtropical weather lasts almost nine months out of the year. The annual precipitation ranges from 25 to 60 inches (1,500 mm). Year-round, the average temperatures run:
Jan - Mar: 60-69 High and 42-51 LowApr - Jun: 76-88 High and 58-72 LowJul - Sep: 86-89 High and 70-77 LowOct - Dec: 63-79 High and 44-69 Low
The area gets only 50 to 60 days of annual precipitation or more rainfall. There are few days without sunshine which allows year-round outdoor activities.

Civil rocketry
Eglin Air Force Base is also a launch site for civil rockets of NASA. There are three launch pads: one at 29.6700 N, 85.3700 W at Cape San Blas; and two on Santa Rosa Island at 30.3800 N, 86.7400 W and 30.3800 N, 86.8170 W. Rockets launched here have included Arcas, Nike Cajun, Nike Apaches, Nike Iroquois, etc. [1] This site was formerly operated by the 4751st ADS with CIM-10 Bomarcs, inactivated in 1973. In the 1940s, captured V-1 and American copy Ford JB-2 Loon buzzbombs were launched out over the Gulf of Mexico from these sites.

See also
Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Armament Museum
Rocket launch sites
Tactical Air Command
Air Combat Command
Ninth Air Force
Khobar Towers
Duke Field (Eglin AFB Auxiliary Field #3)
Hurlburt Field (former Eglin AFB Auxiliary Field #9)
Okaloosa Regional Airport (located with Eglin AFB)
Florida World War II Army Airfields

References
^ FAA Airport Master Record for VPS (Form 5010 PDF), effective 2007-12-20
^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
This article incorporates text from Eglin Air Force Base, a public domain work of the United States Government.
Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 USAF Reference Series, Office of Air Force History, United States Air Force, Washington, D.C., 1989
Ravenstein, Charles A., Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977, Office of Air Force History, 1984
Endicott, Judy G., USAF Active Flying, Space, and Missile Squadrons as of 1 October 1995. Office of Air Force History
Martin, Patrick, Tail Code: The Complete History Of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings, 1994
USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to present

Eglin AFB located in Okaloosa County RSS Reader - 06/30/2008

Eglin AFB military resort - 06/30/2008

EGLIN AFB — Construction of a military resort on Okaloosa Island might move a step closer later this month.

Eglin Air Force Base will host an industry forum Feb. 21 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center, not far from the 17.1-acre beachfront plot where it would like to see Emerald Breeze built. A welcome reception for interested contractors will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Air Force Armament Museum.

The project on the Air Force-owned parcel will be an enhanced-use lease contract. The Air Force is looking for a developer to build and manage the resort.

Eglin spokesman Mike Spaits said the upcoming forum is not a bidding venue.

Rather, it’s an opportunity for local officials, bankers, developers and real estate managers, among others, to get more information about the resort.

“Competition for project award is based on a Request for Qualifications process,” Spaits said in an e-mail. The “completion date is yet to be determined.”

Environmental and biological assessments must be made on the valuable parcel. Each study generally takes about six months to complete, but when they will begin hasn’t been determined yet.

The Air Force sees the resort as a way to reward troops and other Department of Defense workers and dependents for their service and sacrifices while also drawing tourism dollars to the Emerald Coast.

WANT TO ATTEND?

For more information or to register for the Emerald Breeze resort industry forum Feb. 21, go to jllpress.com.

Eglin AFB new hires - 06/30/2008

Eglin Air Force Base ID cards - 06/30/2008

Eglin AFB Finance - 06/30/2008

Education websites for area around Eglin AFB - 06/30/2008

Government website for Eglin AFB - 06/30/2008

Government
Okaloosa County
Okaloosa County Property Appraiser
Okaloosa County Tax Collector
Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections
Okaloosa County Clerk of Courts

Volunteer around Eglin AFB going on - 06/30/2008

To Do list Before coming to Eglin AFB - 06/30/2008

WI-FI spots around Eglin AFB - 06/30/2008

Schools around Eglin AFB - 06/30/2008

Parks around Eglin AFB - 06/30/2008

Church around Eglin AFB area - 06/30/2008

Almerant Church
Laurel Hill

Antioch Church
Crestview South

Beaver Creek Church
Munson

Bethel Church
Crestview North

Bethel Church
Laurel Hill

Bullard Church
Hurricane Lake

Campton Church
Oak Grove

Canaan Church
Crestview South

Clear Springs Church
Oak Grove

Ebenezer Church
Oak Grove

Friendship Church
Crestview South

Golan Church
Baker

Good Hope Church
Munson

Hester Church
Baker

Holy Trinity Church
Mary Esther

Light House Church
Baker

Lighthouse Church
Baker

Live Oak Church
Crestview South

Magnolia Church
Oak Grove

Mount Zion Church
Laurel Hill

New Bethany Church
Munson

New Bethel Church
Crestview North

Oakland Church
Mary Esther

Old Ebenezer Church
Oak Grove

Olive Branch Church
Blackman

Parkway Church

Hospitals around Eglin AFB area - 06/30/2008

Crestview Community Hospital
Crestview North

Fort Walton Beach Hospital Extended Care
Fort Walton Beach

HSA Gulf Coast Hospital
Fort Walton Beach

Humana Hospital Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach

Twin Cities Hospital
Niceville

Airports in Okaloosa County - 06/30/2008

Bob Sikes Airport
Crestview North


Lat
Long
Elev.(ft.)



30.78
-86.52
214

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport
Destin




Lat
Long
Elev.(ft.)


30.40
-86.47
22

Dotson Airport
Baker


Lat
Long
Elev.(ft.)


30.82
-86.69
251

Fort Walton Beach Medical Center Heliport
Mary Esther


Lat
Long
Elev.(ft.)


30.45
-86.63
47

Hurlburt Field
Mary Esther


Lat
Long
Elev.(ft.)


30.43
-86.69
38

Lonesome Pines Airport
Baker




Lat
Long
Elev.(ft.)


30.80
-86.68
244

North Okaloosa Medical Center Heliport
Crestview South




Lat
Long
Elev.(ft.)


30.74
-86.56
230



Ruckel Airport
Niceville




Lat
Long
Elev.(ft.)


30.52
-86.44
67

Sky Ranch
Baker


Lat
Long
Elev.(ft.)


30.85
-86.67
250

Swaney Airport
Dorcas


Lat
Long
Elev.(ft.)


30.78
-86.47
210

The Funny Farm Airport
Dorcas


Lat
Long
Elev.(ft.)


30.80
-86.44
200

Yellow River Airstrip
Holt




Lat
Long
Elev.(ft.)


30.69
-86.75
150

Near-by Hotels to Eglin AFB - 06/30/2008

Fairfield Inn & Suites Fort Walton Beach-Eglin AFB

1280 Eglin Parkway North
Shalimar, FL 32579
Nightly Rates: ( 139.00 - 139.00 )
2 StarMarriott's award winning economy hotel lodging chain features clean, convenient, quality accommodation and the peace of mind you get from Marriott consistency - all for a great value.

by Lois Walsh - 06/30/2008

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Maintaining the infrastructure of an Air Force base that's nearly the size of the state of Rhode Island and the largest in the free world is a tough and challenging job, but it is one that the 96th Civil Engineer Group is fully focused on doing in the most innovative, resourceful and efficient ways possible.

From repairing roads to fighting forest fires, the group is one of the most diverse on base with everything from firefighters to archaeologists on staff to do the job. Similar to many units throughout the Department of Defense, though, the 96th CEG must find ways to overcome budget and personnel cuts to continue its contributions to the Global War on Terror.

"Funding has been lean and from the people standpoint, we're heavily supporting the Air Expeditionary Force mission requirements," Col. Dennis Yates, 96th CEG commander, said.

That doesn't discourage Colonel Yates and the 96th CEG at all. Instead, he says it keeps them focused and true to the group's vision of being innovative, resourceful and effective in all they do in light of these challenges.

The group is comprised of the 796th Civil Engineer Squadron, the 96 Civil Engineer Squadron and the Environmental Management, Resources and Family Housing Divisions.

Lt. Col. Dave Eaton, 796th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, heads a squadron of more than 600 military and civilians who are responsible for maintenance and repair of base property. They've got everything from pest management personnel to heating, ventilation and air conditioning specialists. He agrees that limited funding and ops tempo are some of the biggest challenges his squadron faces.

"The people are great and do great things for us, always stepping up to the plate to meet the challenges head on." he said. "They take limited funding and manpower and do their magic to produce a great product. For example, when one of our shop superintendents deployed last month, an airman quickly stepped into his shoes and has been leading the shop ever since. There is no doubt in my mind that we'll see more examples like this as the deployment wears on."

The Environmental Management Division is led by Mike Applegate. The division is responsible for ensuring the base is a good steward of the environment and manages the reservation for 19 federally listed threatened and endangered species, as well as maintaining the world's largest longleaf pine forest.

Beyond the natural resources, Environmental Management is also responsible for ensuring the base stays compliant with the myriad of federal and state laws that regulate the base's air emissions, water quality programs, restoration efforts and protection of cultural resources among other things.

"We're environmental managers, not environmentalists," Mr. Applegate said. "We manage the environment for the mission, and we don't let it manage us. Our job is to make sure the base is compliant with the law as we execute the mission."

The Family Housing Division, ran by Kathy Lawhon, provides program management for housing referral services and effective use of on-base housing, including the single unaccompanied Airmen's dormitories. They are also responsible for providing input to the housing budget and the accompanying furnishings management program.

Through privatization, the quality of military family housing for both Eglin and Hurlburt Field military families stands to improve substantially.

"Our military families will enjoy contemporary homes similar to those found in the local communities," Paul Ledford, housing office manager, said. "They will have homes that are better built and equipped to endure the intense heat associated with coastal living." The Air Force hopes to attract the right developer for the job when it releases its updated Request for Proposal in September.

The 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, known as the "first-response arm of CE," boasts the largest fire department in DOD and the largest explosive ordnance disposal in the Air Force.

"If you think first response across the base or the community, fire, police and medical, we are one leg of that Eglin triad," Maj. Don Treanor, 96th CES commander, said. The 96th CES also includes the Readiness Flight. Its mission includes conducting emergency management for peacetime emergencies and natural disasters on Eglin as well as providing chemical warfare defense training for all Eglin military personnel, Major Treanor said. They also have the Prime BEEF functions which prepares CE forces for their wartime responsibilities.

So while there may be less people and financial resources to do their job these days, Col. Yates believes that if the group stays true to its vision, they'll be fine.

"It's a great group of people with a lot of pride to do the job right under any circumstances," Colonel Yates said. "Our pride and ingenuity makes us a formidable weapon system."

Eglin Airmen train Iraqis on fuel delivery - 06/30/2008

by Tech Sgt. Russell Wicke 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs 6/20/2007
- SATHER AIR BASE, BAGHDAD, IRAQ

-- Airmen from the 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Flight are training Iraqis here to fuel up their own C-130s without dependence on the U.S. Air Force.

Heading up the training is Master Sgt. Scott Addington, 447th ELRS Petroleum, Oils and Lubricant fuels manager, who said the plan is broken own into a "crawl, walk, run" process.

The first day of training was June 17 and involved familiarization with one of the Iraqis two fuel trucks.

"These guys are in the infancy stage of fueling," said Sergeant Addington. "We developed a six-phase process designed to ease them into this work.

" The entire Iraqi fuels shop here, consisting of three people, is now learning the fundamentals in Phase One: moving fuel. Sergeant Addington said advanced training will involve tracking and recording fuel, and eventually performing lab work.

The Iraqi airmen at New Al-Muthana will be responsible for refueling their three C-130s, their helicopters and their aerospace ground equipment, according to Tech. Sgt. Chad Wilkey, 447th ELRS fuels operations supervisor. At present, all of these are being fueled by U.S. Airmen working for Sergeant Addington.

In addition to the Iraqis' aircraft and equipment, the 13 Airmen of 447th ELRS Fuels shop have their hands full with other commitments. Approximately 300 transit aircraft funnel through Sather every week - all requiring fuel. Furthermore, the Army's 3rd Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade has approximately 115 helicopters which fly daily missions from Baghdad International Airport. They all depend on fuel from the 447th ELRS. And just to add the icing, Sather also maintains multiple generators which supply electricity to the base; they all depending on POL for clean, dry fuel.

"We provide the life-blood of the American war fighter," said Sergeant Wilkey. "Nobody goes anywhere without gas." And Sather's access to gas all passes through the conduit of these 13 Airmen. But Sergeant Wilkey was quick to point out his team does a lot more than deliver fuel.

This is where Tech. Sgt. Terrance Ladd, 447th ELRS fuels lab technician comes in. Sergeant Ladd runs the fuels lab here. It's his job to ensure the fuel is of high quality. He said he spends his days sampling fuel from their fuel trucks and the 50,000-gallon fuel bladders, and testing them for a number of contaminants.

"I test the fuel for solids, (like dirt) and trace amounts of water," said Sergeant Ladd. "If my tests indicate the fuel is too dirty, or has too much water, we have to take action to correct the problem."

Sergeant Ladd also said the JP-8 fuel he works with requires several additives to enhance engine performance. He runs lab work on the JP-8 to ensure it has the right amount of icing inhibitor and static dissipater. Without these additives, the fuel may develop crystallized ice, or build up static electricity. Sergeant Ladd also tests the fuel for proper flash point.

In addition to lab testing come the rigors of inventory and paperwork. According to Sergeant Addington, all fuel has to be received by convoy, tracked and recorded. When people depend on a product that comes by convoy in Baghdad, Iraq, problems surface fast. Baghdad features a characteristic that makes fuel supply very unpredictable: hostility.

"We have a small surplus of fuel because re-supply trucks are unpredictable," said Sergeant Wilkey. "For this reason, we limit all aircraft to 40,000 pounds of fuel, unless they arrange for more in advance."

Sergeant Addington agreed that his crew of 13 stands up under a heavy yoke: providing clean, dry fuel to the entire base and the coalition in addition to the training of Iraqis - all in a hostile environment. But he said it would take more than this and the occasional rocket attack to break the resolve of the Airmen in POL.

"We like the term 'resilient' defined by Webster's as, 'tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change,'" wrote Sergeant Addington in an e-mail responding to a concerned peer after a rocket attack in their area. "What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger."

Occupational Health Council Eglin Air Force Base - 06/30/2008

Commentary by Col. Joseph A. LanniVice Commander, Air Armament Center & Chairman, Eglin Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health Council - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.

-- In less than three weeks, every Eglin unit and organization will be subject to an evaluation of its compliance with environmental laws and guidelines when Air Force Materiel Command environmental officials visit to conduct an Environmental, (and Occupational Health) Compliance Assessment and Management Program (EOHCAMP) evaluation July 9-13.

Eglin is prepared.

Thirteen protocols, which include hazardous waste management and water quality management, will be thoroughly assessed by a team who knows those processes and programs and how they should work, inside and out.

Eglin is ready.

Why so confident, you ask? Because I know Team Eglin has made all the necessary preparation for this external EOHCAMP. I know the difference between glancing at a regulation and making environmental safety and health part of our lifestyle...and I know that the lifestyle is stressed at all levels of our workforce. I know that commanders and their Unit Environmental Coordinators, all 98 of them, have been ensuring the finer details of their unit's environmental programs are in order, and are hitting the streets, stressing ownership of the program by everyone. I know they'll continue these efforts right up until showtime when the AFMC team arrives at their unit's doorstep in early July.

That's the kind of effort it will take to ensure success during this evaluation.

I believe that all of Team Eglin understands that the future of this great nation rests in our hands right now and our job #1 is to carry out our mission and protect our country. That requires us to integrate all of our efforts toward conserving our resources...that's natural, infrastructure and human resources that supports and conduct our mission. The EOHCAMP results will give us a clear picture of how well we are doing that now, as well as areas to improve in moving forward.

As we prepare for the upcoming evaluation, let's continue to improve Eglin's Environmental Management System to a benchmark that others will mimic. Our next challenge in that process will begin 9 July.

Team Eglin, continue to do what it takes to be ready for this and future challenges...our workforce, our mission and our nation depend on it.

Exchange Select quality and price registering with military families - 06/30/2008

EGLIN AFB, Fla. -- Military shoppers in search of the best value for their dollar are increasingly reaching for "private label" products manufactured under the Exchange Services' "Exchange Select" brand. The steady demand for affordably priced, quality products by the military community continues to drive expansion of the Exchange Select brand, available exclusively at Navy, Marine and Coast Guard Exchanges, Veterans Canteen Service locations and Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) BXs and PXs.


We introduced 67 new 'Exchange Select' items in 2006 including value pack diapers and baby wipes, whitening pre-brush oral rinse and smoking cessation gum," said the Eglin AFB BX's General Manager Myra Moore. "The entire portfolio now includes 557 unique items, all priced to deliver substantial savings."

Whether shopping for health and beauty care items, household cleaning and laundry products or even a single-use camera, Exchange Select products offer quality that is equal to or better than equivalent national brands at an average savings of 50 percent.

"Our Quality Assurance team actively ensures the quality of 'Exchange Select' merchandise by visiting suppliers' plants to verify 'Good Manufacturing Practices,' as set by the Food and Drug Administration as well as other governing agencies, are used," said Moore. "In fact, all over-the-counter medicines, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, meet FDA established guidelines, which are the same for 'Exchange Select' and national brand equivalent products."

Name brand quality combined with "private label" pricing continues to attract military shoppers as "Exchange Select" sales have increased 30 percent since the brand was first introduced in the summer of 2002. As a result, the Exchange Services continue to broaden their "private label" assortment through line extensions in existing categories and expansion into new programs.

"Exchange Select" stock assortment additions currently in development include oatmeal based baby toiletries, women's premium triple-blade disposable razors, sugar-free cough drops, plastic applicator tampons and "custom-size-it" paper towels.

A thank you to the Eglin Military official website for this story

Eglin Airmen selected for promotion - 06/30/2008

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Air Force officials selected 15,130 of 36,608 eligible senior airmen for promotion to staff sergeant for a selection rate of 41.33 percent, up 5.46 percent from last year.

The complete list of selectees will be posted on AFPC's enlisted promotions Web page no later than 3 p.m. CDT Aug. 15.

"The promotion opportunity for this year is outstanding," said Chief Master Sgt. Rusty Nicholson, the enlisted promotion branch chief at the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base. "This is a great day for the United States Air Force and a significant event for the Air Force's newest group of noncommissioned officers."

The average staff sergeant selectee score for the 07E5 staff sergeant test cycle was 270.71 points, based on the following: -- 131.72 Enlisted Performance Reports -- 55.99 Promotion Fitness Exam -- 54.33 Specialty Knowledge Test -- 2.15 Time in Grade -- 4.72 Time in Service -- 0.85 Decorations

There are 4,894 enlisted Airmen who will have yet to take the Weighted Airmen Promotion System test, primarily due to deployment, Chief Nicholson said. "Upon their return, they will be provided the 60-day study time prior to testing and then automatically be considered via the monthly supplemental process."

Air Armament Center Stacia Zachary

28th Test Squadron Wendy Scheibe

33rd Fighter Wing Eugene Farmer Omar Phillips Elisa Young

33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Bradley Barkley Christopher Blake Charles Bock Steven Bohler Brandon Brock Kyle Bryant William Calban Leuris Castillo Kyle Cramere Delmas Crawford Jeffery Dehaan Billy Gene Drake Kenneth Duby James Flannery Patrick Gervais Robert Hall William Haselden Eric Hilliard James Holness Ronald Jenkins Chester Johnson Craig Kelley Frederick Koval Rudolph Lange Timothy Lawson Ronald Legarde Eric Litton Danny Makowsky Even Martin Thomas Martineau Brian Mathison Nicholas Mays Dennis McKelvey Justin McLane Kevin Mickley Gerald Mitchell Michael Monroe Jesus Pena Regis Peoples Benjamin Picasio Benjamin Proffitt Brian Quinerly Jael Rivera Jeffrey Robbins Daniel Sanders Samuel Sargent Nicholas Schmidt David Shafer Alex Stinebrickner Michael Sweely Brandon Takacs Charles Taylor Randall Vander Woude Joey Vandusen Jonathan Whelan Darryl White

33rd Maintenance Operations Squadron Michael Alwood Leanna Bailon Albert Benitez Nichole Guest Crystal Perez

33rd Maintenance Squadron Nicholas Anziano Edwin Bermudez Tracie Bone Joshua Bosworth Jeremy Bowden Curtis Bracksieck Lacey Brumfield Lisa Caluag Michael Crenshaw Carlos Cruz Nathan Cumberledge Ross Currie Matthew Curtis Daniel Dallas Jessica Deangelis Michael Disori Bradford Doyon Dustin Elizondo Jason Ellison Daniel Fulghum Chad Gamache Robert Gonzales Destiny Harp Erik Harper Benjamin Hollins Robert Kawasaki David Knight Adam Koon Eugene Lofton Christopher Marcum Michael Marr Edwin Matos Joseph McGoldrick James McKay Kelli McLean Weston Miller Sharif Pryce Roderick Randolph Andrew Rauch Antonio Rivera Randy Rowell Peter Saari Patrick Spencer Daniel Swanson Phetsamo Thiravong Bradley Townsend Timothy West Matthew Wray Julian Wynn

33rd Operations Group Ricky Beasley Kaylynn Martin

33rd Operations Support Group Dominick Dellapia Jamie Linwood Lakeishea Williams Laura Yelvington

40th Flight Test Squadron Tamura Godfrey

46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Heather Acosta Markus Anthny Matthew Cowart Derek Creary Trevor Crittendon Brian Culver Harold Cunningham Shawn Cushman Joshua Devineking Zachary Drahota Jordan Gerlofs Valerie Giampoala Andrew Glidewell David Goldsmith James Hanni Jonathan Harpe Michael Hill Austin Holen Rickurt Jackman Brandon Justics Richard King Michael Langham Bret Lowe Jeremiah McCartney William Merritt Matthew Mingee Thomas Moldenhauer Sidney Moore Wesley Mull William Nelson David Nyman Christine O'Donnell Jonathan Pruitt Matthew Quinn Christopher Riley Jonathan Robinson Bradley Schuster Micheal Scot Reyes Siniff Christopher Stewart Jesse Taska Daniel Thompson Branden Van Matre Rafael Williams

46 Maintenance Operation Squadron Mark Hanna

46th Maintenance Squadron Steven Acevedo Christopher Akin David Alday Nakevin Cain Kylentus Clark Benjamin Dartez Blake Davis David Downing John Flanagan Jeremy Frederick Cameron Hickey Bronson McLain David Meyere Eric Quintana Adam Rohrer Cale Seubert Emmanuel Smith Jeromy Smith Donna Stevens James Stinson Burt Villareal

46th Operations Support Squadron Daisha Bey Raymond Cooper Jamie Hennessey Joshua Lemay Michael Nesladek Tony Schamberger

46th Range Squadron Amanda Seagro

46th Weather Squadron Melit Laurry

58th Fighter Squadron Amanda Fisher Marvin Williams Michelle Ziebell

68th Electronic Warfare Squadron Melanie Nestle Jeremiah Ward

85th Test and Evaluation Squadron Marcus Davis 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron Alexandra Kearney

96th Air Base Wing Arionea Adams Katie Hughes 96th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Kristian Duff Nancy Martinez Amy Rauch

96th Civil Engineer Group Michael Chavarria Sterling Scales

96th Civil Engineer Squadron Kelly Badger Ali Bueshi Roy Campos Adam Cole Philip Cummings Michael Edwards Shaun Gingerella Isaiah Graham Jordan Gren Aaron Jones Abraham Lara Christopher Lewis Adam Meredith Charles Miles Kalvin Moore Errick Schafer Ronin Sullivan Crystal Yaw

96th Communications Group Ryan Dennis Latoria Glover 96th Communications Squadron Julia Barnes Michael Baustert Bobby Buckalew Rospig De La Torre Michael Fleming John Haraguchi Zachary Hill Matthew Holt Brian Lawton Kendrick Lewis Jesse Peterson Jeremy Phillips Kristy Robinson Marcie Teal Jason West

96th Comptroller Squadron Michelle Goodnight Adrian Johnson Christopher Olson Seneca Shelton

96th Dental Squadron Michael Gray Alpheus Green Audrey Hernandez Sara Kelley Robert Penn

96th Ground Combat Training Squadron Jermaine Morrow Jaclyn Privitera

96th Logistics Readiness Squadron Corey Briggs Michael Clark Raul Diazfunes Kivondra Fagg Edwin Jacobo Michael Jarvis Darryl Leytham Christopher Logue Claudio Moreta Jesse Nantkes Troy Newman William Overton Stefanie Rouse Stephen Soloman Shanell Stephens Anthony Tabano Hyrice Tomlin Leonard Wright

96th Medical Operations Squadron Michael Barnette Mozingo Chavez Tammi Fish Nicole Gillig Zachary Higgins Kristi Kendzierski Alexander Kryvenia Alexander Lee Cassandra Murphy Sabrina Richardson

96th Medical Support Squadron Charmaine Garza Juan Gomez Lluvia Gonzalez Michelle Guzman Maria Jimenez Katrina Madden Laura McKeon Brianna Mullarkey Charles Murphy Kary Stringham Brandi Stupak Karen Sweet Heather Vitolla Jolea Zuber


96th Mission Support Squadron Forrest Jones Michael Whitman

96th Security Forces Squadron Cody Braemer Keith Cleare Charles Coles Keith Corcoran Scott Cousins Angela Dotson Mark Geralesrosen Jonathan Hogue Season Kelt Derrick Kohlenberger David Leal Kathleen Lee Michael McDade Daniel Wanhala

96th Services Squadron Travis Giles Stephanie Harris Olrick Johnson Ryan Leveille John Vickery 96th Surgical Operations Squadron Karen Knight Paul Lilya Jaime Martin Leon Miller Amber Wesolowski

728th Air Control Squadron Kenneth Basaldua Caroline Braddock Justin Centola Reginald Cook Denise Diaz John Driver Dawn Dutcher Melanie Engle Timothy French Jason Gleason Steven Greenwood Garrett Hayes Andrew Heinig Brioan Jessee Bradley Johnson Patrick Johnson Brandon Jones Benjamin Koren Andy Lansdowne Evan Lee Jason Levalley Andrew Lewis Dannielle Lewis John Limon Christopher Lovelady Andrew Miller Renaldo Miller William O'Neal Claudia Paisley Shiloh Pogue Jesse Ready Erika Reynolds Joshua Ritchie Joaquin Rodriguez Antonio Santiago Keith St Laurent Demetrius Townsend Angel Vargas Todd Vetter James Wall

728th Test Squadron Robert Burroughs

796th Civil Engineer Squadron Cesar Alvarado Daniel Jones Jesse Knudtson Adrien Lomax Christopher Looney Carlo Mangoba Ben Nichols Paul Perez Matthew Phillips Tomas Sanchez Derrick Seals Robert Strohmeyer Randy Webster Kyle Whisenhunt Mark Williams 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron Alan Cherry Christopher Fairbairn Edward Groves Charles Hamilton Michael Lacy Lane Miller Shawn Riley Gilbert Rubio Michael Smith

9th Special Operations Squadron Michael Brown David Holcombe Joshua Huff Andrew Lewis Kentonis McGee Scott Osteen

16th Electronic Warfare Squadron Jacqueline Barker Lynette Calleiro James Campbell Lowell Edkins Stuart Melton Niicholas Turner Jason Ward

Back to School Safety - 06/30/2008

Air Armament Center Safety Office

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- As summer vacation concludes here on the Emerald Coast, students across several counties are readying themselves for the start of a new school year.

With all of the excitement this time brings, safety is not the first topic that may be discussed between students and parents. The Air Armament Safety Office encourages parents to speak with their children about safety before school begins. Here is why and some topics to help you along.

Getting to school and back home again

· Find an easy, safe way to walk to school or the bus stop. Ask your parents if there is anything you should watch out for along way. Crosswalks, stop lights, crossing guard, speed zones. · Always walk with a brother, sister, neighbor, or friend - sounds just like a Wingman. · Don't talk to strangers, go anywhere with them, or take anything from them.

· Know your phone number and address, even your area code and zip code. If you have trouble remembering them, write them down and keep them in a safe place like a bac