Hurlburt Field
Hurlburt Field Relocation Information
A CV-22 Osprey and an MH-53 Pave Low fly over the coastline near Hurlburt Field, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)
Welcome to Hurlburt Field!
Located in the Florida panhandle, this duty station is exactly as you might picture with pristine white beaches, glowing turquoise water, incredible fishing, and outdoor adventures everywhere you look. It isn’t called the Emerald Coast for no reason.
As one of Eglin AFB’s auxiliary fields, Hurlburt Field is home to the 1st Special Operations Group, 1st Special Operations Maintenance Group, 1st Special Operations Missions Support Group, and the 1st Special Operations Medical Group. There are approximately 8,000 airmen stationed at Hurlburt Field. Consider the dependents, retirees (because this area isn’t an easy one to leave), civilian employees, and military families of nearby duty stations, and you’ll realize that there’s a heavy presence of the military here.
The Emerald Coast
You’re probably not concerned about what there is to do. Based on location alone, you know that you can spend every free moment you have digging your toes in the sand — why else would millions of tourists visit every year? But this duty station offers more than gorgeous sunshine and miles of beaches. Downtown Pensacola, Silver Strands Outlet Mall, Black Water River State Park, Florida Caverns State Park, Fort Pickens, and more are all within your reach.
Emerald Warrior Exercise Unit: 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs Photo by Senior Airman Julianne Showalter
Frequently Asked Questions about Hurlburt Field
1) Where is Hurlburt Field located?
Hurlburt Field is located on the Gulf Coast in the Florida panhandle. It’s approximately one hour east of Pensacola and about 30 minutes west of Destin. Its location makes it's easily accessible by car or plane and is why so many tourists flock here for their picture-perfect beach vacation during the spring and summer.
2) How far is Eglin AFB from Hurlburt Field?
Eglin AFB is approximately 12 miles (20 minutes) from Hurlburt Field. Great news to Hurlburt Field residents as Eglin offers additional amenities, like Space-A travel, horseback riding, another exchange, commissary, marina, deep-sea fishing, scuba courses, and more!
3) What planes are at Hurlburt Field?
The U-28A provides a manned fixed wing, on-call/surge capability for Improved Tactical Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) in support of Special Operations Forces.
Here are a handful of the aircraft that fly in and out of Hurlburt Field:
- AC-130U Spooky Gunship
- CV-22 Osprey
- MC-130H Combat Talon II
- U-28A
- MQ-9 Reaper
- AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship
- U-28A
For more information on what’s happening at Hurlburt Field, check out their fact sheet.
4) Is Hurlburt Field a good base to be stationed?
It depends on your definition of a good base. Hurlburt Field offers base housing, desired amenities like a golf course, swimming pools, commissary, exchange, outdoor recreation, a bowling center, and is close to unbelievable beaches. If those are a few of the things that you’re looking for, then yes, Hurlburt Field is a good base!
5) What is the zip code for Hurlburt Field, FL?
The zip code for Hurlburt Field is 32544.
6) What is the BAH for Hurlburt Field?
BAH for Hurlburt Field ranges from $2,268 for E-1 to $3,087 for E-9 with dependents and $2,298 for O-1 to $3,417 for O-7 with dependents. See the housing section for more info.
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Base Location & Information
Pensacola, Florida, where the white sand is called ‘sugar sand.’ Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash.
Hurlburt Field is located on the south side of the Eglin AFB complex adjacent to the city of Mary Esther, FL which sits just east of the base. Also nearby to the east is Fort Walton Beach, FL at about 5 miles distance from Hurlburt Field. Heading west from Hurlburt Field are the cities of Navarre and Gulf Breeze, both cities less than 20 miles away.
Hurlburt Field is located in the Florida panhandle. It’s about an hour east of Pensacola, a quick drive from popular tourist destination Destin, and a couple of hours west of Panama City Beach. While these beach towns make fantastic day trips or overnight retreats, most military families stationed at Hurlburt Field choose to live in Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, and Navarre — all within a 30-minute drive to the base.
You might assume that the cost of living here is high, but it’s lower in this region than the Florida average. Whether it’s high or low to you will depend on which duty station you’re moving from. 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.
As for weekend getaway trips? Head to another beach town like Pensacola. Packed with history, the Blue Wahoos, the Naval Aviation Museum, and a cultural downtown, this destination makes for an easy and fun break from the daily routine. But if you’re looking for a new scenery altogether, get lost in the wilderness at a Florida State Park. Or take a road trip to New Orleans, LA, Tallahassee, FL, or Montgomery, AL!
Nearby military installations:
Arrival Lodging
The Air Force Inns manages lodging for Hurlburt Field. With pet-friendly rooms available, and basic amenities, it’s a good place to stay for a couple of nights while you get your feet under you.
Lodging contact info:
(850) 884-7115
301 Tully St.
Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, 32544
Area attractions include Destin, FL, Fort Walton Beach, Florida's Gulfarium, and the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island.
Hurlburt Field Housing
Hurlburt street view via Corvias Military Living
Military housing at Hurlburt Field is privatized and operated by Mayroad Property Management. Living on base offers quick and convenient access to base amenities as well as other military families.
Contact: (850) 344-0220
For additional questions and information, contact the Hurlburt Field Military Housing Office at (850) 884-7505.
Hurlburt Field Off-Base Housing
View homes for sale and houses for rent near Hurlburt Field: Hurlburt Field Homes
Base Search
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Hurlburt Field 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.
Hurlburt Field is near Mary Esther and Fort Walton Beach with many options to buy or rent. Some sample Hurlburt Field BAH rates for zip code 32544:
- E-1 with dependents: $2,268
- E-1 without dependents: $1,959
- E-9 with dependents: $3,087
- E-9 without dependents: $2,373
- O-1 with dependents: $2,298
- O-1 without dependents: $2,271
- O-7 with dependents: $3,417
- O-7 without dependents: $3,066
Hurlburt Field Area Weather & Climate
Photo by Jorge Vasconez
This area is known for its humid, subtropical climate. It’s what gives the area those beautiful breezy palm trees, clear water, and beaches that draw tourists in all spring and summer long. You’ll find the summer average in the mid-80s with the winter (namely January) running around 50 degrees. The weather is fairly mild year round, considering.
The biggest climate concern this region faces is flooding and hurricanes. The hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Learn more about hurricane preparedness, evacuation zones, and more at FloridaDisaster.org.
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Hurlburt Field Area Schools
Depending on where you live, your child may attend one of a handful of school districts nearby. Should you choose to live at Hurlburt Field, Mary Esther, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Shalimar, or Destin, you fall within the Okaloosa County School District. However, if you choose to live in Navarre, you'll fall under the Santa Rosa County School District.
Okaloosa County School District:
Photo By Davis Demographics
Santa Rosa County School District:
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 must follow Florida state regulations. Learn more about homeschooling at the Florida Department of Education.
For any questions or concerns, contact the Hurlburt Field School Liaison Office.
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Support for Military and Families
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Photo By Leo Rivas
With neighboring bases Hurlburt Field and Eglin AFB, military families stationed here should find easy access to all kinds of military amenities. Things like pools, fitness centers, outdoor recreation, youth center, rifle and pistol club, skeet range, a golf course, and more are in your backyard.
For service members or military spouses looking to further their education, you’ll find Northwest Florida State College and Pensacola State College nearby. And with an unemployment rate of 2.5% in November 2019, there’s good news for those seeking a job in this region.
If you’re interested in volunteering or allowing your kids to volunteer, United Way Emerald Coast, Habitat for Humanity, Shelter House, the Air Commando Association, and more are always looking for extra hands!
Some helpful links:
More Hurlburt Field Information
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Base Address:
221 Lukasik Avenue
Hurlburt Field
,
32544-5416