EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — After a quick taxi out to Duke Field’s runway, Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Geraghty spun up the 21-foot, electric aircraft’s 80-horsepower engine and zoomed forward.  The Pipistrel Velis Electro quietly lifted off heading north as the sun dipped in the west around dusk April 22.

Tyndall Air Force Base — In 2024, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, became the first Air Force installation to transition to the fluorine-free foam within its fire departments, effectively replacing the aqueous film-forming foam that contained Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. The new foam is a primary component of a Department of Defense-wide effort to phase out PFAS-containing AFFF from land-based firefighting equipment.

Col. Patrick Dierig, the commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing (1SOW), is hitting the ground running after taking command from Col. Allison Black Feb. 23. As installation commander, Dierig oversees Hurlburt Field’s base support for the wing’s four groups and 24 squadrons, as well as more than 40 tenant units, including Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command.

The Department of the Air Force took top honors for its commitment to environmental stewardship in five of nine categories during the 62nd Annual Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards Competition April 22.

Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. —  According to the Department of Defense, there are more than 1.6 million military-connected children who ultimately face many unique experiences because of their parent’s or parents’ service. To honor these individuals, the DoD designates the month of April as Month of the Military Child. For Team Tyndall and across the DoD, this time highlights the important role that children play within the armed forces community while recognizing their experiences and sacrifices.

For the first time in roughly 20 years, the Hurlburt Field Airpark is open to the general public.

While the airpark has been unofficially available for public use since April 11, 1st Special Operations Wing (1SOW) Commander Col. Patrick Dierig and others with Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) held a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday to formally welcome community members to the outdoor museum.

Tyndall Air Force Base —  The 44th Fighter Group, Air Force Reserve, conducted their first flying Unit Training Assembly at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, April 6, 2024, since returning to Tyndall. This training proved valuable for the pilots and maintainers by giving them hands-on experience with F-35A Lightning II’s and their first local sortie since departing Tyndall prior to Hurricane Michael.

Duke Field – Aviators and aircraft maintainers who support the C-146A Wolfhound mission celebrated a major milestone April 5, 2024, surpassing 200,000 flying hours while meeting Air Force Special Operations Command’s global mobility requirements. 

Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. – The 96th Security Forces Squadron will begin 100 percent identification checks for anyone accessing the installation in May.

Hurlburt Field, Fla. – Balancing work and home life can be a challenge for many Airmen. Adding children to the mix can make it even more difficult, and for single parents, that’s another story.