Military | Navarre Press

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.

American Legion post honors the Four Chaplains

Written by Hansen Hasenberg on February 7, 2023. Posted in Community, Military.

At a ceremony held Sunday, Feb. 5, American Legion Post 382 honored four men who made the ultimate sacrifice 80 years ago. Alexander Goode, George L. Fox, John P. Washington, and Clark V. Poling, known collectively as the “Four Chaplains,” died when their transport ship, the USAT Dorchester, sank in the North Atlantic Ocean. On Feb. 3, 1943, the Dorchester was headed to Greenland when it was struck by a torpedo from a German U-boat. The ship carried 902 servicemen, merchant seaman and civilian workers. With the ship hit, Goode, Fox, Washington and Poling all leaped into action to help their comrades.

B-21 bomber to be unveiled Dec. 2

Written by Staff Reporters on December 2, 2022. Posted in Military, News.

Watch the live unveiling of the new B-21 Raider tonight.

Whiting Field hosts 2022 Fleet Fly In

Written by Hansen Hasenberg on November 10, 2022. Posted in Military, News.

If you were anywhere near NAS Whiting Field this past week, you may have seen a large variety of helicopters dotting the skies. The Naval Air Station hosted the 32nd annual Naval Helicopter Association Gulf Coast “Fleet Fly In” from Nov. 2 to Nov. 4.

The Fleet Fly In is designed to provide several days of training and knowledge sharing to Training Air Wing Five students. The event helps flight students prepare to make career decisions on selecting their fleet aircraft platform.