Car chase ends at Eglin Air Force Base west gate, suspect in custody

A chaotic day in Okaloosa County: Deputies say a Shalimar man struck a pedestrian, led them on a chase that ended at Eglin’s west gate — and just hours later, the base went on lockdown after a bomb threat.
Eglin Air Force Base on lockdown due to bomb threat, sources say

Eglin Air Force Base on lockdown due to bomb threat, sources say Staff Reports November 12, 2025 2:50 pm Eglin Air Force Base EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — A source with knowledge of the situation has told Mid Bay News that Eglin Air Force Base is on lockdown due to a bomb threat. According to […]
LiveOak Fiber, Fort Walton Beach Chamber Team Up to Support Military Families During Shutdown

LiveOak Fiber and the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce are providing 10,000 pounds of groceries to military families at Hurlburt Field on October 15, 2025, amid the federal government shutdown. Eligible DoD-affiliated families can pick up food in a drive-through distribution.
Niceville Braces for Federal Employees to Miss Paychecks

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 Announces Limited Services and Closures Amid Government Shutdown

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.
Air Force Revises Physical Fitness Program, Adds Two-Mile Run and Updated Body Composition Standards

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 highlights need to counter UAS threat

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 changes permitting, hunting regulations

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 Commission approves $4M contract for VPS fuel farm expansion

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.
US, Norway test maritime strike in High North

The U.S. Air Force and Royal Norwegian Air Force conducted a test on Sept. 3, 2025, of next-generation precision maritime strike capabilities—including using the QUICKSINK weapon system with a B-2 stealth bomber—in the Norwegian Sea.