Duke Field aircrews help Team Eglin reps reassure future Army neighbors

  • Published
  • By Dan Neely
  • 919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  

Thanks to some 919th Special Operations Wing aircrews, their future Army next-door neighbors can feel better about their upcoming move to Eglin Air Force Base. 

Duke Field MC-130E Combat Talon I aircraft airlifted 30 Team Eglin representatives to and from Fort Bragg, N.C., April 16 and 18 so they could personally reassure7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Soldiers and their spouses about life in and around their new Northwest Florida post. 

During the two days more than 1,000 people were briefed about the benefits of moving to Eglin by a team of subject matter experts from the base and its surrounding communities. 

Along for the trip were representatives from services, housing, education, medical, outdoor recreation, the Army Air Force Exchange Service and the Airman and Family Readiness Center. Also representatives from the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and Jobs Plus flew commercially to attend and answer the Soldiers' questions.

The 2005 Base Closure and Realignment law directed that the 2,200-soldier group to relocate to the base in the Florida Panhandle no later than Sept. 15, 2011. The 7th SFG has been at Fort Bragg since its activation in 1960 and is overflowing the buildings they currently occupy.

While on the trip, Col. Bruce McClintock, 96th Air Base Wing commander, was able to see first hand the Group's facilities and said he was convinced the 7th SFG will have the premium facility in all of Special Forces when they complete their move to Eglin in 2011.

The group's new home will sit on a 350-acre area on the northern portion of Eglin. The cantonment area will consist of 32 buildings, including a medical clinic, dining facility, 25-meter range, three barracks, a physical fitness center and a gas station. It will also include a 12,000-square-foot Army and AAFES Shoppette containing restaurants, Military Clothing Sales, a laundromat and barber. 

"As a part of Team Eglin it was a pleasure to take part in this event," said Col. Jon Weeks, 919th Special Operations Wing commander. "All of us in the 919th look forward to the training opportunities and close relationship we expect to have with our fellow SOF (special operations forces) warriors." 

(Master Sgt. Andrew Leonhard, 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this report.)