Duke Field, also known as Eglin Air Force Base Auxiliary Field 3, is a United States Air Force (USAF) facility located in Okaloosa County, Florida. As a crucial component of the Eglin Air Force Base complex, Duke Field plays a vital role in supporting the USAF's mission to develop, test, and evaluate new aircraft, weapons systems, and tactics. With its rich history dating back to 1942, Duke Field has evolved into a cutting-edge facility, providing a unique combination of infrastructure, expertise, and resources to support the Air Force's research, development, and testing activities.
Spread over an area of approximately 11,500 acres, Duke Field features an impressive array of facilities, including three runways, multiple hangars, and a range of support infrastructure, such as fuel storage, aircraft maintenance, and logistics facilities. The base is home to a diverse range of units, including the 919th Special Operations Wing, the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, and the 6th Special Operations Squadron, among others. These units work together to provide a wide range of capabilities, from special operations and training to research and development, and testing and evaluation.
One of the key strengths of Duke Field is its proximity to the Eglin Air Force Base complex, which provides access to a vast array of resources, including test ranges, laboratories, and simulation facilities. This unique combination of infrastructure and expertise enables the base to support a wide range of activities, from the development of new aircraft and weapons systems to the testing and evaluation of advanced tactics and technologies. With its strong focus on innovation and collaboration, Duke Field has become a hub for research and development, attracting partnerships with industry, academia, and government agencies.
Key Points
- Duke Field is a USAF facility located in Okaloosa County, Florida, and is part of the Eglin Air Force Base complex.
- The base features an array of facilities, including three runways, multiple hangars, and support infrastructure, such as fuel storage and aircraft maintenance.
- Duke Field is home to a diverse range of units, including the 919th Special Operations Wing, the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, and the 6th Special Operations Squadron.
- The base plays a critical role in supporting the USAF's mission to develop, test, and evaluate new aircraft, weapons systems, and tactics.
- Duke Field's proximity to the Eglin Air Force Base complex provides access to a vast array of resources, including test ranges, laboratories, and simulation facilities.
History and Evolution of Duke Field
The history of Duke Field dates back to 1942, when the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) established the base as a training facility for bomber crews. During World War II, the base played a critical role in supporting the war effort, with thousands of airmen training at the facility. In the post-war period, the base underwent significant modernization, with the construction of new facilities, including runways, hangars, and support infrastructure. In the 1950s and 1960s, Duke Field became a key facility for the development and testing of new aircraft and weapons systems, including the F-100 Super Sabre and the F-4 Phantom II.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Duke Field continued to evolve, with the introduction of new units and capabilities, including special operations and training. The base played a critical role in supporting the USAF's mission in Vietnam, with units from Duke Field deploying to Southeast Asia to support combat operations. In the 1990s and 2000s, the base underwent significant modernization, with the construction of new facilities, including a state-of-the-art hangar and a range of support infrastructure. Today, Duke Field is a cutting-edge facility, providing a unique combination of infrastructure, expertise, and resources to support the Air Force's research, development, and testing activities.
Units and Capabilities
Duke Field is home to a diverse range of units, each with its own unique capabilities and mission. The 919th Special Operations Wing is the host unit at Duke Field, and is responsible for providing special operations capabilities, including air refueling, airlift, and aerial reconnaissance. The 24th Special Tactics Squadron is another key unit at the base, providing special tactics capabilities, including combat control, parachute operations, and combat weather forecasting. The 6th Special Operations Squadron is also based at Duke Field, providing special operations airlift capabilities, including the C-145A Skytruck and the C-146A Wolfhound.
In addition to these units, Duke Field is also home to a range of other capabilities, including research and development, testing and evaluation, and training. The base features a range of facilities, including test ranges, laboratories, and simulation facilities, which provide a unique environment for the development and testing of new aircraft, weapons systems, and tactics. With its strong focus on innovation and collaboration, Duke Field has become a hub for research and development, attracting partnerships with industry, academia, and government agencies.
| Unit | Mission |
|---|---|
| 919th Special Operations Wing | Special operations capabilities, including air refueling, airlift, and aerial reconnaissance |
| 24th Special Tactics Squadron | Special tactics capabilities, including combat control, parachute operations, and combat weather forecasting |
| 6th Special Operations Squadron | Special operations airlift capabilities, including the C-145A Skytruck and the C-146A Wolfhound |
Infrastructure and Facilities
Duke Field features an impressive array of infrastructure and facilities, including three runways, multiple hangars, and a range of support infrastructure, such as fuel storage, aircraft maintenance, and logistics facilities. The base’s runways are capable of supporting a wide range of aircraft, from small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to large transport aircraft, such as the C-17 Globemaster III. The base’s hangars provide a secure and climate-controlled environment for aircraft maintenance and repair, while the support infrastructure provides a range of services, including fueling, aircraft towing, and logistics support.
In addition to these facilities, Duke Field is also home to a range of other infrastructure, including test ranges, laboratories, and simulation facilities. The base's test ranges provide a unique environment for the testing and evaluation of new aircraft, weapons systems, and tactics, while the laboratories and simulation facilities provide a range of capabilities, including data analysis, simulation, and modeling. With its strong focus on innovation and collaboration, Duke Field has become a hub for research and development, attracting partnerships with industry, academia, and government agencies.
Research and Development
Duke Field is a key facility for research and development, with a range of capabilities, including data analysis, simulation, and modeling. The base’s laboratories and simulation facilities provide a unique environment for the development and testing of new aircraft, weapons systems, and tactics, while the base’s test ranges provide a range of capabilities, including flight testing, ground testing, and simulation. With its strong focus on innovation and collaboration, Duke Field has become a hub for research and development, attracting partnerships with industry, academia, and government agencies.
In addition to these capabilities, Duke Field is also home to a range of other research and development activities, including the development of new materials, the testing of new propulsion systems, and the evaluation of new aircraft designs. The base's researchers and engineers work closely with industry, academia, and government agencies to develop new technologies and capabilities, which are then tested and evaluated at the base. With its unique combination of infrastructure, expertise, and resources, Duke Field is an ideal location for research and development, testing and evaluation, and training.
What is the primary mission of Duke Field?
+The primary mission of Duke Field is to provide special operations capabilities, including air refueling, airlift, and aerial reconnaissance, as well as research and development, testing and evaluation, and training.
What units are based at Duke Field?
+Duke Field is home to a diverse range of units, including the 919th Special Operations Wing, the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, and the 6th Special Operations Squadron, among others.