Runway project moves Duke Field aircraft to Eglin

  • Published
  • By Dan Neely
  • 919th
Eglin AFB, Fla. --  Making way for a scheduled four-month runway resurfacing project here, seven Reserve MC-130E Combat Talon I aircraft from this base's 919th Special Operations Wing began operating this week from nearby Eglin Air Force Base.

Contractors will repair and resurface the base's weather- and traffic-worn runway and north parking ramp -- work typically required every 10 to 15 years, according to Tim Gunnison, airfield manager for Eglin AFB, which owns Duke Field's infrastructure.

The job entails grinding away the top several inches of old surface material, then laying new asphalt and concrete surfaces, Gunnison said.

Eglin's 96th Civil Engineer Group will oversee both projects.

Meanwhile, more than 200 aircrew and maintenance Airmen from the 919th SOW have set up shop in flightline operations facilities loaned to them by Eglin's 96th Air Base Wing. It's doubtful any of them will complain about the 15-mile temporary move to a large and well-appointed base

-- one with renowned base exchange and commissary facilities -- compared to their relatively austere Duke Field home.

The only drawback is loss of their usual home-field training opportunities, according to Lt. Col. Tom Miller, 711th Special Operations Squadron director of operations.

"We lost a little bit of Duke Field stuff, the short runway -- our assault strip -- and the drop zone on Duke itself," Colonel Miller explained. "Now we have to go to other locations to get that training -- either Hurlburt Field, the little runways out here in the outlying restricted areas, or even up north around Maxwell AFB or Anniston, Alabama, to spot some outlying fields where we can do all of our NVG (night vision goggles) operations, or blackout landings and short-field operations, too."

Until Duke Field's airfield reopens, the colonel said his unit expects to continue flying roughly four-hour missions from Eglin each weekday.

"We're grateful for Eglin's hospitality and support, and it's great to be here," he added.