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As of September 2026, the cost of living index in Okaloosa County is 106 (higher than U.S. average of 100).
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The northwest Florida area can have a very active hurricane season, from June 1 to November 30. Monitor weather news.
The community surrounding Eglin offers white sand beaches and water sports in the surrounding bays and the gulf. 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.
Three Simple Rules
Defense Service Network Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of War. 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.
The 96th Test Wing executes developmental test and evaluation enabling the warfighter to put weapons on target in all battlespace media while also providing support for all other Team Eglin missions as the installation host wing. Eglin deploys combat ready forces while delivering full spectrum support to the DoD's second largest test and training complex.
Spanning five wars, modern-day Eglin evolved from a distant and honorable past. Eglin was established in 1935 as the Valparaiso Bombing and Gunnery Base. It is named in honor of Lt. Col Frederick I. Eglin (1891-1937), who died in an aircraft crash.
Today, Eglin 96th Test Wing tests and evaluates non-nuclear munitions, electronic combat systems and navigation/guidance systems hosting 40 tenant units representing virtually every major command including our sister services, the 7th Special Forces Group, the U.S. Army Ranger Camp and the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal School.
For more information, visit https://www.eglin.af.mil/.
Eglin serves approximately 20,000 personnel, provides services for over $11 billion annually in economic impact in three counties and is a diverse environment attractive to DOW industry partners.
INSTALLATION
RANGE FACTS
Eglin's unique water-to-land complex provides an ideal and realistic environment to train and accelerate capabilities testing in support of critical operational needs.
Okaloosa County, Florida, has 929.8 square miles of land area and is the 19th largest county in Florida by total area. Okaloosa County is bordered by Santa Rosa County, Escambia County and Walton County, Florida.
Eglin Air Force Base is in the western Florida Panhandle, located about three miles (five kilometers) southwest of Valparaiso in Okaloosa County. This is a military-friendly area, with many retirees and tourists due to the white sandy beaches and emerald green waters. Okaloosa County is a relatively high cost of living area and has relatively low wages. Eglin is located eight miles northwest of Fort Walton Beach, 60 miles east of Pensacola and 65 miles west of Panama City.
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Regional Airport, or VPS
The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Regional Airport is the airport that serves Niceville and Fort Walton Beach, as well as most of the greater Okaloosa-Walton county area. Airlines refer to the Okaloosa Regional Airport as Fort Walton Beach. If you are traveling here, your destination is Fort Walton Beach, not Okaloosa Regional Airport. The FAA designation is VPS.
The airport is located just outside of Niceville on SR 85, less than a 15-minute drive from the heart of Niceville. It is located on property owned by Eglin Air Force Base and uses Eglin's runways. The airport served 2.49 million passengers in 2025 with direct service to Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Nashville, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Miami, New York (JFK/LGA), Philadelphia and Minneapolis. The street address of the airport is 1701 State Road 85 North, Eglin AFB, FL 32542. The telephone number is 850-651-7160. The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Regional Airport offers eight car rental agencies onsite.
Directions from Destin-Fort Walton Beach Regional Airport to Eglin AFB
If you arrive at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Regional Airport, exit the airport to the right on SR 85 until you reach SR 20 in Valparaiso. Turn right and follow it to the Eglin AFB East gate.
Pensacola Regional Airport, or PNS
Pensacola Regional Airport is located in Escambia County, approximately three miles northeast of the central business district of the City of Pensacola. Escambia County is located on the Gulf of Mexico in the extreme western portion of the Florida Panhandle and borders the State of Alabama on the west and north. On the east, Escambia County is bordered by Santa Rosa County, Florida.
PNS provides easy access to the area's numerous beaches, the National Museum of Naval Aviation and many other historical and natural attractions. At an elevation of 121 feet, Pensacola International Airport consist of commercial and private air service as well as aeronautical and cargo businesses sitting on over 1,400 acres of land. The small terminal, which was remodeled in the 1990s, consists of two levels: baggage claim and ticketing on the main level and the arrival and departure concourses on the second level.
Directions from PNS Airport to Eglin AFB
Pensacola Airport is approximately 70 miles from Eglin AFB. If you are driving from the Pensacola Airport to Eglin AFB, follow the signs from the airport to I-10 East. Turn right on SR 85 at Crestview (Exit 56), which leads to Niceville. Turn right on SR 20 (John Sims Parkway) until you reach the Eglin AFB East Gate.
Driving from the Northeast/Southwest
Exit 56 (Crestview) if you are using Interstate I-10. Turn right if you are coming from the southwest and left if you are coming from the northeast on to Hwy 85-S. Drive approximately 14 miles on Hwy 85-S to Hwy 123. Turn to the right on to Hwy 123 and follow it until it dead ends into Hwy 85. Make a right and go to the first light (Lewis Turner Blvd). At the light, turn left and continue on that route for approximately 1/2 mile. Turn left at the next light into the West Gate area of Eglin.
Driving from Hwy 98
If you are driving on Hwy 98, Eglin AFB is approximately 7 miles NW of Fort Walton Beach, 60 miles E of Pensacola and 65 miles W of Panama City.
Driving from the North
When traveling from the north, after entering Florida look for Hwy 85-S to Crestview. After you enter Crestview, continue to follow Hwy 85-S. You will go under Interstate 10 but continue on Hwy 85-S for approximately 14 miles until you see the sign that says Fort Walton Beach to the right (Hwy 123). Follow Hwy 123 until it dead ends. Make a right and go to the first light which will be Lewis Turner Blvd. Turn left and continue for approximately 1/2 miles. Turn left at the next light to enter the Eglin West Gate.
Public transportation on Eglin is limited. Look for bus stops for the Base Shuttle. For a copy of the bus shuttle, contact M&FRC at 850-882-9060.
https://www.eglin.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/3904821/96th-lrs-shuttle-service