The cat is out of the bag. More military missions have their sites on the Largest Air Force Base in the World (Eglin AFB) and their surrounding Bases (Hurlburt AFB and Duke Field), which is approximately 724 square miles of land area. This plan and others in the works to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness in the military will continue to make Okaloosa County an area for decision maker to give it serious consideration. As I have noted many times before, Eglin AFB and the surrounding bases not only have opportunities of efficiencies in Defense cost, it also is a strategic location for the Defense of our Country.
Eglin, Hurlburt vie for new tanker planes
JUSTIN HEINZE / Daily News
2012-06-02 21:18:20
Military bases across the nation are competing to host the latest generation of Air Force tanker planes, which could be accompanied by an increase in jobs and a potential boom to local economies. Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base are among nearly 60 installations being considered as main operating bases for the KC-46A, the latest aerial refueling and transport plane. It will replace the KC-135. Three bases will be selected initially, and ultimately 10 will receive the aircraft. The influx of jobs at each base will depend on the number of airmen stationed there who are able to fill the roles, according to Ann Stefanek with the Secretary of the Air Force public affairs. The Air Force has extensive criteria for the bases to meet, including ample runway, hangar and ramp space. Eglin and Hurlburt are competing to become one of the formal training units and first main operating bases, which are to be led by active-duty units. The first bases are slated to begin receiving the tankers in 2016. The second main operating bases, led by an Air National Guard unit, will begin receiving the planes in 2018. Other Florida bases in running for the new tankers include MacDill, Patrick, Tyndall, and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The Air Force hopes to select the bases by December
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
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