Okaloosa County to Observe Veterans Day with Unveiling of New Women Veteran Statues
Okaloosa County will mark Veterans Day with a ceremony at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, featuring the unveiling of two new statues honoring women veterans, including Marine Sgt. Nicole L. Gee and an Iroquois Warrior Woman from the War of 1812. The statues will later be added to the Women Veterans Monuments at Veterans Park on Okaloosa Island.
Wreaths Across America Seeks Sponsors to Honor Every Veteran in Niceville and Valparaiso
Wreaths Across America’s Twin Cities chapter is calling on the community to help honor local veterans this December by sponsoring wreaths for every grave in Niceville and Valparaiso. Ceremonies will take place on December 13, 2025, at Sunset Cemetery and Heritage Gardens to remember and honor those who served.
Duke Field aircraft crashes near Oklahoma City; crew walks away
A training flight from Duke Field’s 492nd Special Operations Wing ended in a crash near Oklahoma City on Thursday — but both crew members, an airman and a civilian contractor, escaped without injury.
Air Force Enlisted Village Breaks Ground on Village 7
The Air Force Enlisted Village in Shalimar has broken ground on its seventh residential community, expanding housing and support for retired enlisted Airmen and their spouses.
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.
