Eglin AFB
Eglin AFB Relocation Information
Photo from Eglin AFB Facebook Page
Welcome to Eglin AFB
Situated in the panhandle between Pensacola and Panama City, Florida, Eglin AFB is the jackpot of duty stations.
Covering approximately 700 acres of diverse Florida terrain, Eglin is, in fact, the largest Air Force base in the world in terms of size. Home to the 20th Space Control Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing, 53rd Wing, 96th Test Wing, 919th Special Operations Wing, AFOTEC DET 2, 6th Ranger Training Battalion, AF Armament Directorate, 7th Special Forces Group, NAVSCOLEOD, this base is buzzing with activity, not to mention lots of noise overhead and on the ground. But with this active runway comes ample SPACE-A travel opportunities!
Photo from Eglin AFB Facebook Page
Residents are rarely concerned about finding things to do here. By the time they receive orders, most people have already heard about the Emerald Coast. The clear water, white sandy beaches, incredible food, and fun attractions draw millions of tourists each year. And with an Eglin duty station, this vacation destination is not just a week of fun in the sun—it’s years of adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions About Eglin AFB
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1) What major city is near Eglin AFB?
The closest city to Eglin AFB is Pensacola. But for those looking for a major city, Mobile, Alabama, is an hour and forty-five minutes to the west, and Tallahassee, Florida (the state capital) is two and a half hours east.
2) Is Eglin AFB the largest Air Force base?
Yes, measuring over 700 acres of northwest Florida terrain, Eglin AFB is the largest Air Force base in the world!
3) What planes fly out of Eglin AFB?
Flying overhead are mostly F-35s in and out of Eglin AFB. However, with frequent support from other units and Hurlburt Field next door, there's a variety of aircraft around, including the following:
- AC-130U Spooky Gunship
- CV-22 Osprey
- MC-130H Combat Talon II
- U-28A
- MQ-9 Reaper
- AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship
- U-28A
4) Does Eglin AFB have a beach?
Eglin Beach Park on Okaloosa Island (not on Eglin AFB) offers prime beach real estate to Eglin AFB personnel.
5) What is the zip code for Eglin AFB, FL?
The zip code for Eglin AFB is 32542.
6) What is the BAH for Eglin AFB?
BAH for Eglin AFB ranges from $2,268 for E-1 to $3,087 for E-9 with dependents and $2,298 for O-1 to $3,417 for O-7 with dependents. See the housing section for more info.
Base Location & Information
Eglin Area Map Image from Eglin Guide Online
Nearby military installations:
Eglin AFB is located near Valparaiso and Niceville in Okaloosa County, Florida. Southwest of the base via Eglin Parkway are Shalimar, Ocean City, Cinco Bayou, and Fort Walton Beach. Directly west of Fort Walton Beach are Mary Esther and Navarre, FL. Destin, FL, is south of the base, across the Choctawhatchee Bay.
An F-35A Lightning II pilot prepares for a flight at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, July 30, 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Leveille)
Eglin AFB sits in the Florida panhandle. As it’s easily accessible by many, this region is a popular tourist destination. Neighboring cities Pensacola and Destin get the brunt of the seasonal tourism, but Eglin residents will undoubtedly notice a few spilling over into Navarre and Fort Walton Beach. While incoming families already dream of days spent on the warm sand, they'll be happy to learn they can do so here without breaking the bank. Considering all it has to offer, the cost of living in this area is relatively lower than in other parts of Florida. Look at the BAH rates for this area to get a feel for how much housing costs.
Photo from Lindsey Buckheit on Unsplash
When it comes to venturing outside the daily routine, touristy spots Pensacola and Destin make for easy day trips and an even better weekend getaway spot for those wanting to take advantage of the fun culture just down the road.
Pensacola, about forty-five minutes west and full of life, has a vibrant downtown, excellent dining options (stop by Joe Patti’s & McGuires!), and historical sites that will fill the days. Destin, even closer to the east, is another fantastic place to escape during the day. It has local dining options, more incredible beaches, and an outlet mall, making for a great shopping day.
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Arrival Lodging
Photo from Eglin Inns Lodging Facebook Page
The Air Force Inns handles lodging for incoming military families. Offering pet-friendly rooms and access to base amenities, it’s a great place to rest while searching for the next home to buy or house to rent.
Location:
404 N. 7th St.
Valparaiso, Florida 32542
Contact: 850-389-4943
Eglin AFB Housing
Photo from Mayroad Property Management Eglin AFB
On-base housing at Eglin AFB is privatized and run by Mayroad Property Management. Open to active duty, national guard, reservists, federal civilians, and retirees, Mayroad offers a well-rounded housing community with convenient base amenities.
Location:
2950 Azalea Drive
Eglin AFB, FL 32542
Contact: 850-613-5050
For additional questions and information, contact the military housing office.
Eglin AFB Off-Base Housing
View homes for sale and houses for rent near Eglin AFB: Eglin AFB Homes
Photo from Canva
Many military families moving to Eglin AFB choose to live in Fort Walton Beach. Here, residents are closer to the base, the beach, and work. Others settle further north in Crestview, where they trade ocean views for a potentially larger home.
Base Search
City Search
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Eglin AFB BAH Information
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S.-based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed servicemembers compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Eglin AFB is near Crestview and Fort Walton Beach, and there are many options for buying or renting.
Some sample Eglin AFB BAH rates for zip code 32542:
- E-1 with dependents: $2,268
- E-1 without dependents: $1,959
- E-9 with dependents: $3,087
- E-9 without dependents: $2,373
- O-1 with dependents: $2,298
- O-1 without dependents: $2,271
- O-7 with dependents: $3,417
- O-7 without dependents: $3,066
Area Weather & Climate
Photo from Allison Guerra on Unsplash
While this region boasts picture-perfect palms and white sandy beaches, it’s also home to forests overflowing with pine, oak, and Spanish moss. The mild weather year-round makes outdoor living and adventuring comfortable even during the winter. While most locals leave the sunbathing for the summer months, the winter isn’t cold enough to keep residents inside—it’s rarely too cold to pass up a fishing trip, hike, or walk.
The biggest concern living in the Florida panhandle is hurricanes. Hurricane season is June to November, peaking in August and September. And while it’s easy to get complacent, this region of the country isn’t immune to these destructive storms. For more information, look at the State of Florida’s Essential Guide to Hurricane Preparedness.
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Eglin AFB Area Schools
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There is one elementary school on base, Eglin Elementary School. Military families outside the Eglin school zone may request their child attend that location. Families located in the surrounding area fall within Okaloosa, Santa Rosa County.
Okaloosa County School District: Hurlburt Field, Mary Esther, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Shalimar, or Destin
Image from Davis Demographics
Santa Rosa County School District: Gulf Breeze, Pensacola, Milton, Pace
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Photo from ARCGIS
For parents looking for a private school education for their children, Private School Review is a great tool to help find the right fit for the family. Families interested in homeschooling should follow the Florida Department of Education homeschool regulations. For any questions or concerns, contact the School Liaison Officer.
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Support for Military and Families
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As many can imagine, military members and their families moving to Eglin AFB benefit from what this region offers regarding things to do. With local attractions and miles of beaches, Eglin and Hurlburt Field combine to make an incredible resource for military families in the area.
Other military amenities: FAMCAMP, Rifle & Pistol Club (on Hurlburt), Sand & Spur Riding Club, Eglin Golf Course, the pool, and marina, plus on-base restaurants like The Breeze.
Military spouses looking for employment will find that the biggest employers in the area are the Okaloosa County School District and Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
For those interested in continuing their education, Northwest Florida State College is in Fort Walton Beach, and Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida are in nearby Pensacola.
Some helpful links:
Things to Do Near Eglin AFB
Photo by Julien Maculan on Unsplash
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park: Creating a new, authentic way to view and interact with ocean life, this stop will be a repeat on everyone's list of fun things to do.
Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone: Imagine a place with adventure golf, racing go-karts, splashing in bumper boats, and navigating a thrill-inducing ropes course. Wild Willy’s is home to all that and more!
Air Force Armament Museum: This museum is the only one in the world dedicated to preserving and exhibiting artifacts and memorabilia from the Air Force Armament.
The Island Pier: Reaching over 1,200 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, this is a perfect place to sit back and watch the magnificent sunset.
Big Kahuna's: While the beach is the perfect place to spend a hot summer day, Big Kahuna's knows how to bring entertainment. Complete with a lazy river, the Honolulu Half Pipe, and Kowabunga Racer, it’s hard to beat a fun-filled day at Big Kahuna's.
More Area Info
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Base Address:
502 W. Van Matre Avenue, Bldg. 205
Eglin AFB
,
32542-6823