👤 Who: Eglin Air Force Base personnel, including the 96th Force Support Squadron, 96th Medical Group, and 96th Civil Engineer Group
📌 What: Limited services, extended wait times, and closures of select facilities due to government furloughs
📅 When: Effective October 1, 2025, until the government shutdown ends
📍 Where: Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
❓ Why: Ongoing federal government shutdown impacting staffing and operations
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Florida — Eglin Air Force Base released a list of limited services and closures on October 1 as the federal government shutdown led to staff furloughs across the installation. Base officials said the changes will impact several organizations that provide daily support for service members, civilian employees, and their families.
The 96th Force Support Squadron reported that multiple facilities will continue operations at reduced capacity. The Bayview Event Center will only be available for self-service. The Breeze Dining Facility will operate with fewer food stations, resulting in longer wait times for personnel. The Field House and Lightning fitness centers will remain open, but with limited staff.
Information, Tickets, and Travel will continue to operate, but with reduced availability. Marketing staff will also be reduced. DEERS and ID card services will remain open but are expected to have longer processing times.
Testing services at the National Test Center will remain available for CLEP, DSST, and Prometric exams. Airmen who need to reschedule Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS) testing should contact the Education Center.
Several base services will be closed entirely until the shutdown ends. These include the library, Beach Park at Post’l Point, pool, Youth Center, School Liaison Office, Military and Family Readiness Center, Civilian Personnel Office, Education Center, Manpower, and the Training Center.
The 96th Medical Group stated that medical appointments may have minor extended wait times. Officials also noted possible delays in the processing of medical evaluation boards and active-duty medical clearances.
The 96th Civil Engineer Group announced that outdoor recreation permits remain available through the iSportsman system. However, the Housing Office is expected to see longer wait times for assistance.
Base leaders advised personnel to plan when seeking services and to expect slower response times in some areas. Updates on service availability will be provided as the government shutdown continues.
96th Force Support Squadron:
Limited
Bayview event center – self-service only
Breeze – dining facility – fewer stations, longer wait times
Information Tickets and Travel
Field House fitness center – limited staff
Lightning Fitness Center – limited staff
Testing Services — The National Test Center will remain open to offer CLEP, DSST, and Prometric’s exams. Airmen contact the Ed Center to reschedule WAPS testing.
Marketing – reduced staff
DEERS/ID cards – reduced staff, longer wait times
Closures
Library
Beach Park at Post’l Point
Pool
Youth Center
School liaison office
Military and family readiness center
Civilian Personnel Office
Education Center
Manpower
Training Center
96th Medical Group:
Minor extended wait times for appointments, as well as potential delays in medical evaluation board timelines and active-duty medical clearances.
96th Civil Engineer Group:
Outdoor recreation permits are still available through iSportsman.
The housing office will have longer wait times.
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