Hurlburt Field

Coordinates: 30°25′40″N 086°41′22″W / 30.42778°N 86.68944°W / 30.42778; -86.68944 (Hurlburt Field)
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Hurlburt Field
AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
18/36 2,926 metres (9,600 ft) concrete
Helipads
Number Length and surface
H18/H36 490.1 metres (1,608 ft) concrete
Source: Federal Aviation Administration[1]
Main gate (about 1967)
A CV-22 Osprey aircraft from the 8th Special Operations Squadron flies over the Emerald Coast outside Hurlburt Field, Fla., on January 31, 2009. While over the water, the crew practiced using a hoist, which is used to rescue stranded personnel.
First Lieutenant Donald Wilson Hurlburt
Barrett .50
caliber rifle during a special operations training course at Hurlburt Field.

Hurlburt Field (

USAF Special Operations School (USAFSOS) and the Air Combat Command's (ACC) 505th Command and Control Wing. It was named for First Lieutenant Donald Wilson Hurlburt, who died in a crash at Eglin
. The installation is nearly 6,700 acres (27 km2) and employs nearly 8,000 military personnel.

This facility is assigned a three-letter

International Air Transport Association (IATA) airport code (the IATA assigned HRT to RAF Linton-on-Ouse in England).[2][3][4][5]

History

Hurlburt began as a small training field for the much larger

U.S. Air Force became an independent service, before being administratively separated from the rest of the Eglin AFB complex in the 1950s. However, once separated, the facility retained its history and kept all building numbers the same; i.e., all start with a "9". The installation was named by then-Eglin Field base commander Brigadier General Grandison Gardner
for First Lieutenant Donald Wilson Hurlburt (1919–1943), who was killed in an aircraft crash at the main base, then known as Eglin Field, in 1943.

The facility had previously been named the Eglin-Hurlburt Airdrome until 1943; Hurlburt Field, March 1944; Eglin Auxiliary Field No. 9, October 1944; with the current name official on January 13, 1948. The base commander of Eglin Main was also responsible for Hurlburt, 1942–1946, but when the base reactivated on February 1, 1955, it gained a separate commander.

Donald Wilson Hurlburt

After flying combat missions from Great Britain in

A-10 Thunderbolt
on April 2, 1997.

Doolittle Raiders

Lieutenant Colonel

B-25 Mitchell bombers at Auxiliary Field No. 9, as it, and the requisite hard-surfaced runway, did not exist in March 1942. "A former Hurlburt Field base commander in the 1950s may have started this story, and several official histories and raider interviews have perpetuated this belief."[9] Nonetheless, the short cross-field former runway, near the southern end of Hurlburt Field's main runway, is now named the Doolittle Taxiway. Other Eglin fields, including Wagner Field/Eglin Auxiliary Field No. 1, and Duke Field/Eglin Auxiliary Field No. 3, were used during this training.[10]

For the 2008 gathering of Doolittle mission survivors, six crew were present for recognition in

NAS Pensacola
, as flight deck "shirt" crew, represented that service's contribution to the Tokyo mission.

Drones and missiles

Gulf-facing launch sites for drones beginning with

Operation Olympic against Japan from captured Pacific island bases. The atomic missions put paid to this operation. This launch site is now on the National Register of Historic Places
.

The 4751st Air Defense Wing (Missile) was organized at Hurlburt on October 1, 1957.

QB-47E drone of the 3205th Drone Group, marking the first shoot-down of a multi-jet medium bomber by a surface-to-air missile.[14]

The

Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories in conjunction with the Space Systems Branch of the Aircraft and Missile Test Division, Air Proving Ground Center, Eglin AFB.[18]

Tactical bombardment

Hurlburt Field fell into disrepair following

Miho Air Base, Japan, to Florida. The main body made the trip on the troop ship General Gaffney, while another group, comprising airmen from other Fifth Air Force units, arrived in San Francisco in early April 1955, aboard the pocket aircraft carrier, the Cape Esperance."[20]

The 17th Bomb Wing was stationed at Eglin AFB, Florida, operating from Hurlburt Field, where it was programmed to receive the

B-26 Invader
. However, the B-57 proved to be troublesome and unreliable and only three or four were ever delivered to Hurlburt. On October 1, 1955, Hurlburt was redesignated the 17th Bombardment Wing, Tactical, and received B-66 aircraft in early 1956.

The first jet aircraft to land at Hurlburt was a

Norton AFB, California, piloted by 17th Bomb Wing commander Col. Howard F. Bronson, with Col. Norton W. Sanders, commanding officer of the 17th Bomb Group, as observer.[22]

The 17th Bomb Wing was equipped with the Douglas B-66B Destroyer and operated the jet light bomber at Hurlburt from 1956 until 1958, then the wing was moved to a base in England. The 17th was inactivated on June 25, 1958 due to budgetary cutbacks.

With the reactivation of Hurlburt, housing was at a premium, and Lieutenant Colonel Robert S. Kramer, Assistant Army District Engineer at

Atlanta, Georgia, for the construction of 151 buildings of concrete block with brick facing. Residences would be single and duplex quarters with two, three, and four bedrooms.[23] Construction began on the first 48 buildings (72 units) in mid-April, with initial completion expected by February 1957.[24]

Special operations

On April 14, 1961 the Air Force

T-28 Trojans, plus the same number of aircraft in temporary storage. The T-28s were armed with caliber .50 machine guns, 2.75-in. rockets and a small quantity of bombs. These specialists flew missions in Africa, Southeast Asia, Central America and other places throughout the world. In early 1962, plans for the never executed Operation Northwoods
called for decoy aircraft to land at this base.

From the 1960s into the early 1970s, the base hosted a wide variety of aircraft types, including

CH-3s were operated, the latter by the 20th Special Operations Squadron
.

The 4410th Combat Crew Training Wing was activated at Hurlburt Field on December 1, 1965, later moving to

1st ACW at England AFB."[25]

The first jet-augmented

Fairchild C-123K Provider arrived at Hurlburt Field on January 5, 1968, and the first of 76 of the type to be ferried to Vietnam by the 319th Air Commando Squadron departed on April 10.[25]

The 20th Special Operations Squadron reactivated in 1976 at Hurlburt Field, the unit mission remaining unconventional warfare and special operations using

HH-53H Pave Low replaced the CH-3E in 1980, providing a long range, heavier lift helicopter capability. "The Air Force's newly operational fleet of nine HH-53H Pave Low CSAR helicopters was abruptly transferred to the special operations forces in response to the failed Iranian hostage rescue attempt and the lack of dedicated long-range vertical lift platforms."[26] "The helicopters brought 200 new military jobs to Hurlburt, bringing the number of military positions at the base to 3,200."[27]

In the early 1960s, Hurlburt was utilized as a

MacDill AFB
, Florida.

Most facilities were located west of the runway, including hangars, through the 1980s. With the growth and importance of special operation capabilities,

MH-53J Pave Low III and MH-53M Pave Low IV helicopter. The Air Force Special Operations Command continues to fly sensitive operations missions from Hurlburt Field worldwide.[citation needed
]

The USAF Special Operations School (USAFSOS) trains US Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and US government civilian personnel in a variety of courses, including courses in Dynamics of International Terrorism, and the Middle East Orientation Course.[citation needed]

The

MacDill AFB
in 2011. JSOU's lecturers include specialists from all branches of the US military, the US Department of State, Central Intelligence Agency, civilian universities, and nongovernmental organizations.

The Florida Air National Guard activated the 249th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field on 28 August 2020. The squadron, part of the 125th Fighter Wing, operates the CV-22B Osprey and is assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command.[28]

Facilities

Hurlburt Field has a 9,600 by 150 feet (2,926 m × 46 m) runway designated 18/36 and a 1,608 by 90 feet (490 m × 27 m) helipad, both with concrete surfaces.[2]

Base housing is located across from the main base divided by

U.S. 98
along the beachfront of Santa Rosa Sound.

The Reef is the main dining facility on base and has won the title of best dining facility in the Air Force nine times.[29]

A grade-separated intersection at the main gate with a fly-over on

U.S. 98 was completed in the summer of 2015, greatly relieving a long-time traffic bottleneck.[30]

Airpark

Starting in 1970s there was an effort to preserve the history of Air Commando operations and the Airmen involved. As part of this effort aircraft of significance were collected and memorials erected to significant operations and individuals dating back to World War II. The air park was open to the general public via special pass until the enhanced security of the post 9/11 era was enacted resulting in the park currently being inaccessible to the general public.

UH-1P on display at Hurlburt Field
Type S/N Service Note
Fairchild AC-119G SHADOW 53-3144 1954 - 1975 Served as a crop duster after end of its military service.[31]
Curtiss C-46 Commando 44-77424 1944 - 1955 Korean War veteran[31]
B-25J Mitchell
 43-28222 1944 - 1957
Douglas A-1 Skyraider 52-132598 1954 - 1971
Sikorsky HH-3E Jolly Green Giant 65-12784 1966 - 1990 Vietnam veteran[31]
Douglas A-26A COUNTER INVADER 64-17666 ???? - 1970 Vietnam veteran. S/N changed when reactivated in 1964.[31]
Fairchild C-123K Provider 55-4533 1956 - 1980 Stationed at Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam[31]
C-47 Skytrain
 43-15510 1944 - 1949
Operation OVERLORD
& Berlin Airlift veteran. Modified to appear as an AC-47 prior to display, although it never served as a gunship operationally.
Lockheed AC-130A SPECTRE 56-0509 1957 - 1994 Vietnam & Desert Storm veteran[31]
Lockheed AC-130H SPECTRE 69-6575 1969 - 2012 Operation Just Cause, Operation Desert Storm, & Operation Enduring Freedom veteran.
Cessna A-37 Dragonfly 70-1293 1970 - 1988
Bell UH-1P IROQUOIS 64-15493 1964 - 1980 Vietnam veteran. Modified for psychological operations.[31]
North American T-28 Trojan 49-1663 1951 - 1973
North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco 67-14626 1968 - 2000 Served with the 504th Tactical Air Support Group, Bien Hoa AB during the Vietnam War. Later served as a ground maintenance trainer.[31]
Cessna O-1 Bird Dog 56-4208 1957 - 1973
Cessna O-2 Skymaster 67-21368 1967 - 1982 Served at Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam
U-10A SUPER COURIER 62-3606 1961 - 1971
Lockheed MC-130E COMBAT TALON I 64-0567 1965 - ???? Exfiltrated Manuel Noriega from Panama on 2 Jan. 1990[31]
Lockheed MC-130P COMBAT SHADOW 65-099 1965 - 1996
Sikorsky MH-53 PAVE LOW 68-10928 1970 - 2007 Iraq War veteran

Based units

Flying and notable non-flying units based at Hurlburt Field.[32][33][34][35][36]

Units marked GSU are Geographically Separate Units, which although based at Hurlburt, are subordinate to a parent unit based at another location.

United States Air Force

In popular culture

See also

References

  1. ^ "Airport Diagram – Cannon AFB (KHRT)" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. July 18, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  2. ^
    PDF
    , effective November 10, 2016.
  3. ^ "Airline and Airport Code Search". International Air Transport Association (IATA). Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  4. ^ "Hurlburt Field (IATA: none, ICAO: KHRT, FAA: HRT)". Great Circle Mapper. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  5. ^ "Linton-on-Ouse (IATA: HRT, ICAO: EGXU)". Great Circle Mapper. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  6. ^ "Eglin Air Force Base History". 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office. July 25, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2017. Air Force supplied date of 1 October 1943 1st Lt Hurlburt death
  7. ^ "First Lieutenant Donald Hurlburt". United States Air Force. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  8. ^ Angell, Joseph W., "History of the Army Air Forces Proving Ground Command – Part One – Historical Outline 1933–1944", The Historical Branch, Army Air Forces Proving Ground Command, Eglin AFB, Florida, reprint by Office of History, Munitions Systems Division, Eglin AFB, Florida, circa 1990, page 105.
  9. ^ Kane, Robert B., Lieutenant Colonel, USAF, Retired, "The Raiders at Eglin", Air Force Magazine, Arlington, Virginia, April 2015, Volume 98, Number 4, pages 71-72.
  10. ^ Kane, Robert B., Lt. Col., USAF, Retired, "The Raiders at Eglin", Air Force Magazine, Arlington, Virginia, April 2015, Volume 98, Number 4, page 72.
  11. ^ Cornett & Johnson, p. 67
  12. ISBN 0-912799-53-6
    .
  13. ^ Cornett & Johnson, p. 106
  14. ^ "Eglin Air Force Base – Fact Sheet (Printable) : HISTORICAL EGLIN EVENTS IN AUGUST". Eglin.af.mil. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  15. ^ Washington, D.C.: Washington Daily News, "Made a MACE of It: Jet Failed to Down Errant Missile", January 5, 1967.
  16. ^ Fort Walton Beach, Florida: Playground Daily News, United Press International,"Air Force Hunts Missing Missile Which Fell, They Know Not Where", Thursday, January 5, 1967, Volume 20, Number 267, page 1.
  17. ^ Fort Walton Beach, Florida: Playground Daily News, Air Force Resumes MACE Tests, Thursday, May 30, 1974.
  18. ^ Fort Walton Beach, Florida: Playground Daily News, "Vapor Cloud Expected From Tests", Thursday, January 12, 1967, Volume 20, Number 272, page 1.
  19. ^ personal assignment at Hurlburt during 1955 to 1958
  20. ^ Special, "Home of 17th Bomb Wing – Hurlburt Field is The Area's Newest Military Installation", Playground News Vacation Edition, Thursday April 26, 1956, Volume 11, Number 12, page 18.
  21. ^ Crestview, Florida, "First Jet Plane Lands at Hurlburt", The Okaloosa News-Journal, Thursday August 4, 1955, Volume 41, Number 31, page 3.
  22. ^ Hamilton, Percy, "'Combat Outfit Again' – Hurlburt Wing Paces Air Force With New Jet", Playground News, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Thursday March 22, 1956, Volume 11, Number 7, page 1.
  23. ^ Special, "Contract Is Let on Housing Units at Hurlburt AFB – Work Will Begin Middle of Month on 151 Buildings", Playground News, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Thursday April 5, 1956, Volume 11, Number 9, page 13.
  24. ^ Special, "First 48 Housing Units at Hurlburt Due in February", Playground News, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Thursday April 26, 1956, Volume 11, Number 12, page 9.
  25. ^
    ISBN 0-312-95881-1
    ,Chapter 7 – The Secret War in Laos – 1967-'68, page 182,
  26. ^ "MH-53 Pave Low > Hurlburt Field > Hurlburt Field Fact Sheets".
  27. ^ Fort Walton Beach, Florida, "Today in Local History", Northwest Florida Daily News, Thursday June 18, 2015, Volume 69, Number 137, page A5.
  28. ^ Wiles, Wiles (August 31, 2020). "AFSOC activates first FLANG CV-22 squadron". Hurlburt Field. US Air Force. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  29. ^ "Military Dining".
  30. ^ "Completed flyover has cut travel time".
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Hurlburt Field Memorial Airpark Guide" (PDF). Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  32. ^ "Aircraft and Squadrons of the US Air Force". United States Air Force Air Power Review 2018. Key Publishing: 83, 85, 95 and 98. 2018.
  33. ^ "1st Special Operations Wing". Hurlburt Field. US Air Force. November 18, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  34. ^ "492nd Special Operations Wing". Air Force Special Operations Command. US Air Force. April 30, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  35. ^ "Fact Sheets". 505th Command and Control Wing. US Air Force. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  36. ^ "Wing Fact Sheet 655th ISRW" (PDF). April 10, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 28, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  37. ^ "Transformers 3 filming at airport, Hurlburt Field , walton, field, filming – News – Northwest Florida Daily News". Nwfdailynews.com. September 28, 2010. Archived from the original on October 1, 2010. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  38. ^ Airman 1st Class Joe McFadden (September 28, 2010). ""HEAT is on at Hurlburt Field" from the official website". .hurlburt.af.mil. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

External links

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