Vast plains within a mountain valley house, a simulated enemy complex and vehicles within the military range of Joint Base Elmendorf. Thousands of feet above them, an AC-130J crew from the 5th Special Operations Squadron struck targets with Hellfire and Griffin missiles, salvos of automatic 30 mm and 105mm munitions from the aircraft’s guns.

Eglin Air Force Base — The U.S. Air Force’s largest Major Range Test Facility Base (MRTFB) Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical (STEM+M) recruitment pipeline is tapped and flowing to recruit, retain, and develop future scientists, engineers and skilled technical workers.

The whirling blades of the four Rolls-Royce turbo-prop engines drowned out all other sounds on Eglin’s flightline as the 96th Test Wing’s newest aircraft rolled to a stop at its new home July 17.

The Air Force Enlisted Village in Shalimar, Florida, celebrated a historic milestone on July 12, 2024, with a deed signing ceremony marking the purchase of 80 acres from the 96th Test Wing.

Capt. Ted Elkins, U.S. Navy, relieved Capt. Paul N. Flores as the 44th commanding officer of Naval Air Station Whiting Field in a ceremony onboard the installation on July 12.

San Carlos De Bariloche, Argentina (AFNS) —  Air Force leaders and representatives from across the Western Hemisphere assembled in Argentina June 18-20 for the 64th “Conferencia de los Jefes de las Fuerzas Aéreas Americanas,” Spanish for, Conference of the American Air Chiefs, or CONJEFAMER.

Hurlburt Field –Lt. Gen. Michael Conley assumed command of Air Force Special Operations Command from Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind in a change of command ceremony at the Freedom Hangar on July 2. 

Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla. – Naval Air Station Whiting Field was recently recognized as the recipient of the 2024 Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence for the Navy.

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Brig. Gen. Mark A. Massaro assumed command of the 96th Test Wing from Brig. Gen. Jeffrey T. Geraghty at a ceremony that began at 9:06 a.m. July 3 at the McKinley Climatic Lab.

Santa Rosa County has been approved for its own Veterans Treatment Court, a program with the mission of keeping veterans out of jail by providing one-on-one mentors and resources that help with issues such as mental health and substance abuse.