Eglin Air Force Base

The Valparaiso Bombing and Gunnery Base was activated on 14 Jun 1935 under command of Capt Arnold H. Rich and was renamed Eglin Field in 1937 for Lt Col Frederick I. Eglin, U.S. Air Corps. Its first missions were to provide both bombing and gunnery training for new pilots and testing of Army Air Corps aircraft and other systems. This dual role of training and testing continued through World War II with the establishment of the Air Corps Specialized Flying School and the Air Proving Ground Command. Today, Eglin continues to provide state-of-the-art munitions testing, personnel training and other combat support capabilities for the Air Force, DOD, industry and U.S. allies.

Shalimar, Florida · United States