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.
Walton Sheriff Charges Army Officer With Sex Crimes
Sean Benjamin Cushman, an Army captain, was arrested on child sexual abuse and child pornography charges linked to incidents in Walton County, Florida.
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.
Air Force to move 600 airmen from Hurlburt, Duke Fields to Arizona
The Air Force will transfer 600 airmen from Okaloosa County to Arizona as part of restructuring the 492nd Special Operations Wing, while keeping AFSOC headquarters in Florida.
House-passed defense bill sends $300M for Eglin, Hurlburt projects and includes Patronis Amendment
The U.S. House passed its $892.6 billion defense policy bill, authorizing major construction projects at Eglin and Hurlburt, while Rep. Jimmy Patronis claimed a win with his amendment on military vehicles.
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.
Test wing’s life flight helps save child’s limb
A 96th Test Wing life-flight mission successfully transported a two-month-old infant with a limb-threatening blood clot from Miramar Beach to Gainesville amid severe weather when civilian transport was unavailable.
