As the federal shutdown looks to stretch into its third week, Niceville braces for missed paychecks and offers relief measures for families tied to Eglin Air Force Base and other federal employers.
Eglin Air Force Base will operate with reduced staff and partial closures in multiple service areas, including the library, dining facilities, fitness centers, and testing offices, amid the federal government shutdown.
Beginning January 1, 2026, the Air Force will pause all Physical Fitness Assessments to transition to an updated program, with scored testing resuming September 1, 2026. The revised Physical Fitness Assessment includes a two-mile run, body composition measurement using the Waist-to-Height Ratio, and a 100-point scoring system across cardiorespiratory, muscle strength, and core endurance categories. Airmen will be required to test every six months, with diagnostic tests offered from March 1 through August 31, 2026, to help service members adapt to the new standards.
Falcon Peak 25.2 at Eglin Air Force Base focused on countering small drones at military installations. Demonstrations included the Anduril fly-away kit and Anvil effector intercepting aggressor UAS, with participation from USNORTHCOM, NORAD, and industry partners.
Eglin Air Force Base has implemented new recreation permitting and hunting regulation changes—including background checks, mandatory check-in/out, and a lottery system for deer-dog hunting—to improve safety and resource management.
Okaloosa County approved a $4 million expansion of Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport’s fuel farm, doubling storage capacity to keep pace with surging airline traffic.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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