Hurlburt Field - In an era of ever-evolving challenges and threats, the Airmen of Hurlburt Field’s Mission Sustainment Team are constantly seeking new ways to prepare for the demands of the modern world. One such initiative took them to the McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin Air Force base in Florida, where they conducted intensive cold weather training, pushing the limits of their abilities and equipment.

Air Force Special Operations Command welcomed Air Attachés from 12 various allied and partner nations to Hurlburt Field, Florida, October 23, 2023. 

Attaché tours are a key function of the Department of the Air Force Foreign Liaison Office, which organizes the engagements to enhance partners’ understanding of American history and culture and enable firsthand experience with U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force operations and structure.

The decision to raise your right hand and take the Oath of Office can feel like a huge leap of faith. This was the case for U.S. Air Force Capt. Donsha Watkins, 9th Reconnaissance Wing chaplain, who pondered this decision for many years.

Hurlburt Field, Fla. - Extended Reality (XR) is revolutionizing the way Air Force Special Operations Command is approaching training and readiness. XR is an umbrella term that encompasses Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) to create a spectrum of experiences that range from fully virtual environments to overlays of digital content onto the real world. These technologies manipulate our perception of reality, hence the term "extended." The manipulation of reality is at the core of XR, and it's transforming the training landscape of AFSOC.

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.

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.

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.

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.