Hurlburt Commander Talks Pressing Issues for Base

The Okaloosa County Commission welcomed Colonel Patrick Dierig to the Okaloosa County Administration Building at Tuesday’s meeting in Shalimar to listen to him speak about the challenges his 23,000 airmen, civilians, and contractors face in the area – and what the commissioners can do to help.

Dierig, the commander of the First Special Operations Wing provided an in-depth update on the challenges and priorities facing Hurlburt Field and the surrounding community.

Colonel Dierig began by thanking Commissioner Mixon for the invitation and recognizing the efforts of local officials and service providers. He emphasized the shared commitment to service, stating, “You don’t have to wear a uniform to serve.” He praised the Emerald Coast as “Military City, USA,” noting its unparalleled support for military families from Pensacola to Panama City.

Colonel Dierig outlined the three primary priorities for his command:

1. Mission First: Ensuring the wing’s operational readiness to meet global demands. He shared an example of airmen returning from deployment at 2:36 a.m. the morning of the meeting, highlighting the unpredictable nature of their missions.

2. World-Class Installation: Improving Hurlburt Field to support its mission and enhance the quality of life for the 23,000 individuals and their families who work and live there and in nearby communities.

3. Pathfinding: Innovating within Special Operations to improve efficiency and safety for the Air Force and broader military community. Whether its a new tactic on the battlefield or a more efficient way to file documents – the 1SOW is the place where the Air Force’s ‘new way of doing things‘ gets tested first.

Colonel Dierig also requested the commission’s continued support in addressing four key challenges:

• Housing: High costs force many airmen to subsidize their housing with a large portion of their base pay.

• Childcare: Affordable childcare remains a concern, especially for airmen working nontraditional hours.

• Traffic: He described how traffic congestion directly impacts military readiness, sharing a stark example: “If there were a traffic jam, we would not have met our timeline for the U.S. military. I never want to call General Conley and say, ‘Sir, the mission failed because of a traffic jam.‘” He stressed the need for an east-west alternative to Highway 98 to prevent such scenarios.

• Mental Health: While uniformed personnel have access to strong resources, families often struggle to find adequate mental health support. He urged the community to advocate for better services for military dependents and the broader population.

Several commissioners expressed support for Colonel Dierig’s concerns. Commissioners Ketchel and Mixon highlighted local efforts to expand childcare and mental health programs, noting the success of a mental health diversion initiative launched in partnership with state representatives. She acknowledged the broader challenges, saying, “We don’t have the resources we need in Florida, not just here.”