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Hurlburt Field

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Military & Family Readiness Center, 220 Lukasik Ave
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Cost of Living

The Okaloosa County recent job growth is positive; median household income (2021, www.census.gov) is $69,823; unemployment rate in Florida is 2.7% (Jul 23, BLS.gov) and in Okaloosa County it is 2.7% (Jul 23, BLS.gov). Florida State tax 0%, and sales tax is currently 6%.

Installation Details

Special and Critical Installation Information

Weather: A major concern in NW Florida is HURRICANE SEASON, from June to November. Call ahead if you are arriving and a hurricane is predicted to hit this area. Watch your favorite trusted weather source and contact your sponsor as Hurlburt Field may be evacuated and the surrounding roads will be congested with people leaving the area.

Riptides: Water sports and other water related activities are very popular in this area. Ensure that everyone in your party has had a safety briefing before taking part. Parents must brief all kids on the dangers of riptides and rip currents before entering the waters surrounding the Emerald Coast. Riptides and strong undertow will challenge a strong and masterful swimmer. Signs at the swimming areas may not be posted and it is dangerous to swim or play in water where there is no lifeguard.

Wildlife: Most of the venomous snakes found in North America can be found in North West Florida. Be alert for snakes and alligators when you walk in wooded or marshy areas. Black Bears are common in the area. To coexist with bears, you can secure your garbage, remove food sources that attract bears, and feed pets indoors. Northwest Florida has a wide variety of marine life. A purple flag at a beach in Northwest Florida indicates the presence of dangerous marine life, such as jellyfish, stingrays, or Portuguese man o' war. The flag is not intended to indicate the presence of sharks, but some destinations may use purple to indicate that sharks are present.

Lightning: Lightning occurs with every thunderstorm and, on average, Florida sees around 70-100 days a year with at least one thunderstorm in the state. Because of Florida's vulnerability to thunderstorms and lightning, lightning is one of the most deadly weather hazards in the Sunshine State. Florida has more lightning deaths than any other state(cdc.gov).

Passports and Visas

Ensure member and/or dependents have the required passports and/or visa prior to final out-processing. Member and/or dependents are not allowed to final out-process without the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents. Members electing the accompanied tour will not be permitted to out-process without having the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.

These actions are necessary to prevent unforeseen hardships to the military members and their families. Therefore, as a last reiteration, it is essential members do not out-process without having the appropriate passports/visas for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.

  • NW Florida can have a very active HURRICANE SEASON, from June to November. Watch your favorite trusted weather source, https://floridadisaster.org and follow the Hurlburt Field and 1 SOW CC Facebook page for up-to-date information regarding the base.
  • 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.

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, you must dial 94 and then the DSN number. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included (312/314).

Please view more online in-depth information about Hurlburt Field on MilitaryINSTALLATIONS.

In-Depth Overview

Mission

Hurlburt Field is home of the 1st Special Operations Wing (1st SOW) and is one of six Air Force active duty special operations wings and falls under the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).

Mission
The 1st SOW is a pivotal component of AFSOC's ability to provide airpower to conduct special operations missions worldwide. The primary mission of the 1st SOW is to rapidly plan and execute specialized and contingency operations in support of national priorities. The wing's core missions include close air support, precision aerospace firepower, specialized aerospace mobility, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, and agile combat support.

The 1st SOW and Hurlburt Field also plays host to 46 partner units from five major commands including the 505th Command and Control Wing and the 492d Special Operations Wing (hurlburt.af.mil).

History

Home of the Air Commandos since 1961. Officially designated Eglin Auxiliary Field No. 9, it served as one of the small training fields built on the sprawling Eglin Air Force Range in the 1940s. General Grandison Gardiner, Eglin commander, named it for First Lieutenant Donald Wilson Hurlburt who was killed in an aircraft crash at Eglin Auxiliary Field #9 in 1943. The Eglin Military Reservation, to include the surrounding auxiliary fields, played key roles in the training of special operations rescue forces for operations such as the 1970 Son Tay Raid in Vietnam. When the 1 SOW was renamed the 16 SOW on October 1, 1993, it retained the heritage and honors of the 1 SOW, its predecessor designations, and the 16th Pursuit and Fighter groups. On 16 Nov 06, the 16th SOW reclaimed the number 1 as part of the Wing designation. Now the 1st SOW boasts a 26-squadron wing, capable of deploying and sustaining a fight anywhere in the world on a moment's notice. For more history visit Hurlburt Field's homepage.

Population

  • Active Duty Military 7,940
  • Hurlburt Reservists 822
  • Civilian Employees 1,787
  • Family Members 12,775
  • Contractors: 2,180

2024 Population Estimates

The population of Okaloosa County is 218,464, and consists of Ft. Walton Beach, Destin, Crestview, Niceville, Shalimar, Mary Esther, Valparaiso, Laurel Hill, Cinco Bayou and Baker. The estimated population of Santa Rosa County is 203,162.

Population TypeAverage Daily Population
Active Duty7,940
Civil Service Employees1,787
Family Members12,775
Hurlburt Reservist822
Contractors2,180
Total25,500+


Base Transportation

Currently, there is no base transportation on this installation.

Location

Hurlburt Field is located on the Gulf of Mexico in the Florida Panhandle, 35 miles east of Pensacola (United States). This area is also known as the Emerald Coast and is a major tourist attraction for its breathtaking white beaches and the emerald green waters.

Directions

Destin - Fort Walton Beach Airport

If you are driving from Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, turn left onto Highway 85, proceed South until you come to Highway 98, about ten miles. Veer to the right when you see the sign that indicates Pensacola. Go West about 7 miles; Hurlburt Field's main gate will be on the right. The Northwest Florida Regional Airport code is “VPS.” Website: www.flyvps.com

Pensacola International Airport

If you are coming from the Pensacola Airport, take N. 12th Avenue North to I-10, 15 miles East to Highway 87, then South to Highway 98 for 10 miles; in 10 miles Hurlburt Field's main gate will be on the left. The Pensacola International Airport code is “PNS.” Website: www.flypensacola.com

Driving from North, Northeast or Southeast

Driving from the North, Northeast, or Southeast via Interstate 10, exit at EXIT 56 (old 12) in Crestview. Turn South on Highway 85 proceed about 14 miles to the intersection of Highway 123, veer to the right, continue on this road until it re-intersects with Highway 85. Go South to Highway 98, about 10 miles, veer to the right towards Pensacola. Hurlburt Field will be about 7 miles on the right.

Driving from the West via I-10

Driving from the West via Interstate 10, exit at Exit 31 (old 10), turn right on highway 87 and proceed about 20 miles to Highway 98. Turn left and proceed east for about 10 miles. Hurlburt Field's main gate is on the left.

Driving on Highway 98

On Highway 98, Hurlburt Field is approximately 40 miles East of Pensacola and 75 miles West of Panama City and 4 miles west of Fort Walton Beach.

Traveling by Bus

If you come by bus, you will need to get a taxi or contact base transportation for a taxi. Base taxis are available for official business only (mission permitting). There are no shuttle buses on base.