Military | Navarre Press

Resiliency message emphasizes community importance

Written by Staff Reporters on October 20, 2023. Posted in Military, News.

Eglin Air Force Base - The base hosted two resiliency training sessions here Oct. 2.

Kristen Christy, a national resilience trainer, shared her message with base personnel, including her own heartbreaking story of tragic losses.

Marine Corps Valkyrie completes first flight

Written by Staff Reporters on October 20, 2023. Posted in Military, News.

Eglin Air Force Base - The Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, a highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle successfully completed its first test flight here Oct 3.

The Marine Corps partnered with the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Naval Air Systems Command and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division to facilitate the ongoing research, development, test and evaluation of the aircraft.

Climatic lab returns home under Test Wing

Written by Staff Reporters on October 3, 2023. Posted in Military, News.

After almost eight years, the Eglin icon, McKinley Climatic Lab, returns to 96th Test Wing possession as of Oct. 1.

The realignment moves the lab from Arnold Engineering Development Complex back to the 96th Range Group. A 2016 Air Force Test Center consolidation moved the lab under the unit at Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee.

Hurlburt Field looks to make airpark open to public

Written by Staff Reporters on September 19, 2023. Posted in Military, News.

With names like Wicked Wanda, The Ultimate End and Big Daddy, there’s a story behind each aircraft and monument on display at the Hurlburt Field Memorial Airpark. For the first time in more than 20 years, Hurlburt Field plans to open its airpark to the general public in spring 2024 - allowing visitors to see the aircraft first-hand and learn more about the history of Air Force Special Operations Command.

Special Operations Command staying put at Hurlburt Field

Written by Gail Acosta on July 28, 2023. Posted in Florida News, Military, News.

Northwest Florida, specifically Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties, can take a collective sigh of relief as US Sen. Rick Scott, US Sen. Marco Rubio, and US Rep. Matt Gaetz banded together to keep the Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field in Mary Esther, Florida Friday.

Memorial Day at Navarre Park

Written by Hansen Hasenberg on May 30, 2023. Posted in Community, Military, News.

Navarre residents gathered at Navarre Park Monday, May 29, for the community’s annual Memorial Day service. Politicians, Boy Scouts, veterans groups, the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the Navarre High NJROTC were just a few of those who came to the park to honor those who paid that 'last full measure of devotion,' as Abraham Lincoln once said.

Veterans parking spaces now at county buildings

Written by Hansen Hasenberg on May 24, 2023. Posted in Community, Military, News.

Northwest Florida is home to quite a few veterans. In many places, veterans can enjoy designated parking spots but at Santa Rosa County-owned facilities, the only veterans parking spots were for Purple Heart recipients. Other veterans did not have designated parking. At least not until now.

Rep. Matt Gaetz to Host Annual Service Academy Night in Pace

Written by Staff Reporters on May 1, 2023. Posted in Military, News.

Congressman Matt Gaetz will host the annual 2023 Service Academy Night on Monday, May 1, at 6:30p.m. CT, at Pace High School. Rep. Gaetz, along with representatives from the U.S. Service Academies, will inform students and families on the process of applying for a Congressional Nomination and entry to the Service Academies.

Details for tonight’s events can be found immediately below. Also, click HERE to RSVP.

Home at last: Korean War vet buried in Barrancas after 73 years missing

Written by Hansen Hasenberg on April 17, 2023. Posted in Community, History, Military, News.

Military families are no stranger to homecomings but for one family in Northwest Florida, they had a homecoming 73 years in the making. On April 4, one family finally got the opportunity to say hello and goodbye to a Korean War veteran who had been missing since 1950. Private First Class Ithiel Whatley, of Pensacola, had been reported missing July 12, 1950, in the vicinity of Choci’won in present day South Korea. He was 19 at the time.

Special operations commander arrested after alleged drunk driving incident

Written by Hansen Hasenberg on March 3, 2023. Posted in Crime, Military, News.

A commander with Hurlburt Field’s 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron has been demoted after being arrested Feb. 18 in Shalimar. Collin Charlie Christopherson, 37, of Niceville, is charged with driving under the influence (DUI), hit and run and a moving traffic violation for reckless driving resulting in damage to property or a person. The Shalimar Police Department responded to the incident involving Christopherson and made the arrest.