This little-known land transfer revolutionized the Emerald Coast forever!
On June 27, 1940, over 340,000 acres of the Choctawhatchee National Forest were officially transferred from the Department of the Interior to the War Department. This historic move was driven by President Franklin Roosevelt’s conviction that the U.S. needed to prepare for war, primarily in response to Axis aggression and the U.S. embargo on Japan. This single action fundamentally transformed the local economy and environment around Choctawhatchee Bay, shifting it from a rustic, subsistence living to a hub that enabled the space age and the American Defense Industry. The land soon became the Valparaiso Gunnery Range, the precursor to a massive military-industrial-research complex that brought billions of dollars and a storm of new residents to the Emerald Shores.
Eglin Issues a New Gulf Warning Ahead of Munitions Testing
Eglin Air Force Base will conduct munitions testing in the Gulf of America from June 1-6, prompting safety warnings for boaters near Destin.
Eglin Maintainers Push Precision and Speed in New Contest
Eglin Air Force Base maintainers competed in the installation’s first-ever Sortie Generation Competition, testing speed, precision, and combat readiness.
Explosive Incident at Eglin Air Force Base Injures Two
Two people were injured after an incident at Eglin Air Force Base’s High Explosive Research and Development Facility on Thursday afternoon.
A Navy Secretary’s Powerful Return to Eglin
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao returned to Eglin’s EOD schoolhouse May 2 to honor fallen technicians and review the future of explosive ordnance disposal training.
Navy Secretary Reflects on Sacrifice During EOD Memorial at Eglin
Hundreds gathered at Eglin Air Force Base to honor fallen EOD technicians during the 57th Annual Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial Ceremony.
Why Eglin’s New Warfare Squadron Matters Worldwide
The Air Force is activating the 337th Electronic Warfare Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base as the mission supporting allied F-35 operations rapidly expands worldwide.
Allegations of Patient Abuse at Eglin AFB Spark Civil Investigation
The Carlson Law Firm is investigating alleged patient abuse claims involving a physician at Eglin Air Force Base and seeking other potential victims.
History of the Emerald Coast: JFK Visits Eglin – Talks Special Forces
On this day in 1962 John Fitzgerald Kennedy, President of the United States made the second-ever presidential visit to Eglin Air Force Base. His speech that day would have huge implications for the special forces community and the future of special operations.
The Experts Keeping Eglin Airmen Healthy and Mission Ready
Behind the scenes at Eglin AFB, lab professionals power mission readiness with precision and near-perfect performance.
