Eglin AFB
Eglin AFB Relocation Information
Photo by Eglin AFB Facebook Page
Welcome to Eglin AFB!
Situated in the Florida panhandle between Pensacola and Panama City, Eglin is the jackpot of duty stations.
Covering approximately 700 acres of diverse Florida terrain, Eglin is, in fact, the largest Air Force base in the world in terms of size. So you better believe that a lot is going on here. Home to the 20th Space Control Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing, 53rd Wing, 96th Test Wing, 919th Special Operations Wing, AFOTEC DET 2, 6th Ranger Training Battalion, AF Armament Directorate, 7th Special Forces Group, NAVSCOLEOD, this base is buzzing with activity, not to mention lots of noise overhead (and on the ground)! But with this active runway comes ample SPACE-A opportunities!
Photo by Eglin AFB Facebook Page
You’re probably not concerned about what there is to do here. Most people have already heard about the Emerald Coast by the time they receive orders. The clear water, white sandy beaches, incredible food, and fun attractions draw millions of tourists each year. And with Eglin as your duty station, this vacation destination is not just a week of fun in the sun, it’s years of adventure!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Eglin AFB
1. What major city is near Eglin AFB?
The closest city to Eglin AFB is Pensacola. But if you’re looking for a major city, say nearly 200,000 in population, Mobile, Alabama, is an hour and 45 minutes to the west, and Tallahassee, Florida (the state capitol) is two and half hours east.
2. Is Eglin AFB the largest base?
Yes, measuring over 700 acres of northwest Florida terrain, Eglin AFB is the largest Air Force base in the world!
3. What planes fly out of Eglin AFB?
You’ll mostly see F-35s flying in and out of Eglin AFB. However, with frequent support of other units and Hurlburt Field next door, you’ll likely see a variety of aircraft overhead to include the following:
- AC-130U Spooky Gunship
- CV-22 Osprey
- MC-130H Combat Talon II
- U-28A
- MQ-9 Reaper
- AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship
- U-28A
4. Does Eglin AFB have a beach?
Eglin AFB does have a beach! Eglin Beach Park, on Okaloosa Island (not on Eglin AFB), offers prime beach real estate to Eglin AFB personnel.
5) What is the zip code for Egiin AFB, FL?
The zip code forEglin AFB is 32542.
6) What is the BAH for Eglin AFB?
BAH for Eglin AFB ranges from $2,340 for E-1 to $2,940 for E-9 with dependents, and $2,346 for O-1 to $3,096 for O-7 with dependents. See the housing section for more info.
Eglin Area Map Image by Eglin Guide Online
Base Location & Information
An F-35A Lightning II pilot prepares for a flight at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, July 30, 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Leveille)
Nearby military installations:
Eglin AFB is located just southwest of Valparaiso and Niceville in Okaloosa County, Florida. Continuing southwest from the base via Eglin Parkway, you will reach the cities of Shalimar, Ocean City, Cinco Bayou, and Fort Walton Beach. Directly west of Fort Walton Beach are the cities of Mary Esther and Navarre, FL. Just south of the base, across the Choctawhatchee Bay lies the city of Destin FL.
Eglin AFB sits in the Florida panhandle. As it’s easily accessible by many, this region is a popular tourist destination. Neighboring cities Pensacola and Destin get the brunt of the seasonal tourism, but you’ll undoubtedly notice a few spilling over into Navarre and Fort Walton Beach.
Photo by Laura Fuhrman on Unsplash
While you’re already dreaming of days spent on the warm sand, you’ll be happy to learn that you can do so here without breaking the bank. Great news, right? The cost of living in this area is relatively low, considering all it has to offer. It’s lower in this region than the Florida average. To give you an idea, in Fort Walton Beach the average home costs $179,600. Take a look at the BAH rates for this area to get a feel more how much house you can afford.
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Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
And when it comes to venturing outside of your typical routine, those touristy spots Pensacola and Destin make for an easy day trip and an even better weekend getaway spot should you want to take advantage of the fun culture just down the road.
Photo by Darwin Vegher on Unsplash
Pensacola, about 45 minutes west and full of life, has a vibrant downtown, excellent dining options (stop by Joe Patti’s & McGuires!), as well as historical sites that will keep your days full. Destin, even closer to the east, is another fantastic place to escape to during the day. With yummy local dining options, more incredible beaches, and an outlet mall, it makes for a great day of shopping.
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Arrival Lodging
Photo by Eglin Inns Lodging Facebook Page
The Air Force Inns handles lodging for incoming military families. Offering pet-friendly rooms and access to base amenities, it’s a great place to rest while you search for your next home to buy or house to rent.
Location:
404 N. 7th St.
Valparaiso, Florida 32542
Contact:
850-389-4943
Eglin AFB Housing
Photo by Corvias Residents at Eglin Air Force Base
On-base housing at Eglin AFB is privatized and run by Corvias Property Management. Open to active duty, national guard, reservists, federal civilians and retirees, Corvias offers a well-rounded housing community with convenience to base amenities.
Location:
2950 Azalea Drive
Eglin AFB, FL 32542
Contact:
850-912-9385
For additional questions and information, contact the military housing office.
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Eglin AFB Off-Base Housing
View homes for sale and houses for rent near Eglin AFB: Eglin AFB Homes
Photo by Creatv Eight on Unsplash
Many military families moving to Eglin AFB choose to live nearby in Fort Walton Beach. Here, you’re close to base, the beach, and work. Others settle further north in Crestview, where they trade ocean views for a potentially larger home and more space to stretch.
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Eglin AFB BAH Information
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S. based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed servicemembers compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Eglin AFB is near Crestview and Fort Walton Beach with many options to buy or rent. Some sample Eglin AFB BAH rates for zip code 32542:
- E-1 with dependents: $2,340
- E-1 without dependents: $2,013
- E-9 with dependents: $2,940
- E-9 without dependents: $2,379
- O-1 with dependents: $2,346
- O-1 without dependents: $2,337
- O-7 with dependents: $3,096
- O-7 without dependents: $2,952
Area Weather & Climate
Photo by Allison Guerra on Unsplash
While this region boasts picture-perfect palms and white sandy beaches, it’s also home to forests overflowing with pine, oak, and Spanish moss. Think of this region as a thriving greenhouse!
The mild weather year-round makes outdoor living and adventuring comfortable even during the winter. While you’ll probably leave the sunbathing for the summer months, the winter isn’t cold enough to keep you inside—it’s rarely too cold to pass up a fishing trip, hike, or walk outside.
The biggest concern living in the Florida panhandle is, that’s right, hurricanes. Hurricane season is June to November (peaking in August and September). And while it’s easy to get complacent, this region of the country isn’t immune to these destructive storms. For more information take a look at the State of Florida’s Essential Guide to Hurricane Preparedness.
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Eglin AFB Area Schools
There is one elementary school on base: Eglin Elementary School. Military families that fall outside of the Eglin school zone may request that their child attend that location. Families located in the surrounding area fall within Okaloosa, Santa Rosa County.
Okaloosa County School District — Hurlburt Field, Mary Esther, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Shalimar, or Destin:
Image By Davis Demographics
Santa Rosa County School District — Gulf Breeze, Pensacola, Milton, Pace:
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Photo By ARCGIS
If you’re looking for a private school education for your children, Private School Review is a great tool to help you find the right fit for you and your family. Families interested in homeschooling should follow the Florida Department of Education homeschool regulations. For any questions or concerns you can contact the School Liaison Officer.
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Support for Military and Families
Photo by Jonathan Gallegos on Unsplash
As you can imagine, military members and their families moving to Eglin AFB benefit from what this region offers in terms of things to do. Not only do you have local attractions and miles of beaches, but the Eglin and Hurlburt Field combine to make an incredible resource for military families in the area.
With Eglin’s FAMCAMP, Rifle & Pistol Club (on Hurlburt), Sand & Spur Riding Club, Eglin Golf Course, the pool, and marina, plus on-base restaurants like The Breeze, access to all kinds of fun military amenities is easy.
For military spouses looking for employment, good news. The unemployment rate was just 2.5% in November 2019. The biggest employers in the area being the Okaloosa County School District and Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
And if you’re interested in continuing your education, Northwest Florida State College is right here in Fort Walton Beach. And Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida are just down the road in Pensacola. And with an unemployment rate of 2.5% in November 2019, there’s good news for those seeking a job in this region.
Some helpful links:
Things to Do Near Eglin AFB
Photo by Aysenur on Unsplash
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park: Creating a new, authentic way to view and interact with ocean life, this stop is sure to be a repeat on your fun things-to-do list.
Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone: Imagine a place where you can adventure golf, race go-karts, splash in bumper boats, and navigate a thrill-inducing ropes course. Wild Willy’s is home to all that and more!
Air Force Armament Museum: This museum is the only one in the world dedicated to preserve and exhibit artifacts and memorabilia from the Air Force Armament.
The Island Pier: Reaching over 1,200 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, you won’t find a better place to sit back and watch the magnificent sunset.
Big Kahunas: While the beach is the perfect place to spend a hot summer day, Big Kahuna’s knows how to bring the entertainment. Complete with a lazy river, the Honolulu Half Pipe, Kowabunga Racer, and more, it’s hard to beat a fun-filled day at Big Kahunas.
More Area Info
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Base Address:
502 W. Van Matre Avenue, Bldg. 205
Eglin AFB
,
32542-6823