On a day when Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Military Affairs Council (MAC) members gathered to thank the military, the event’s speaker turned the tables and spent his time thanking business and community leaders.

The 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base will deactivate June 6 as the training mission moves to Fort Bliss, Texas.

The enlisted force of Air Force Special Operations Command presented its commander with the highest honor it can bestow upon an individual.

If you are a country star, flying to Las Vegas, performing in front of 14,000 people, rubbing elbows with other stars, and receiving VIP accommodations to other Academy of Country Music shows might be old hat. For a Navy pilot on the other hand, it is a never-to-be-forgotten event.

In a classic case of “If first you don’t succeed, try, try again,” members of the Navarre Garden Club, along with active duty and retired military personnel happily unveiled May 16 a new Blue Star Memorial Highway marker in Navarre Park. The national program honors all men and women who serve our country and the local marker designates Highway 98

A five-person crew flew a newly-painted E-2C Hawkeye May 9 from Norfolk, Va., to NAS Pensacola. It was the plane’s final flight and shortly after it landed it was presented to the National Naval Aviation Museum. The Hawkeye was the only Navy Fleet aircraft not on display at the museum.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody visited Hurlburt Field May 8 and 9.

The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) began conducting Emerald Warrior, a joint training exercise in 2006. For the first time, the MQ-9 Reaper took part in the exercise at Hurlburt Field. It is an unmanned remotely piloted aircraft with a top speed of 300 mph and a range of more than 1,100 miles.