Editing Hurlburt Field

{{Short description|US Air Force base in Florida, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Hurlburt Field
| ensign = 
| ensign_size =
| native_name = 
| partof = <!-- for elements within a larger site -->
| location = [[Mary Esther, Florida]]
| nearest_town = <!-- used in military test site infobox -->
| country = [[United States]]
| image = File:AC-130U over Hurlburt Field.jpg
| alt = An AC-130U Spooky over Hurlburt Field.
| caption = An [[Lockheed AC-130|AC-130U Spooky]] over Hurlburt Field
| image2 = [[File:Shield of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command.svg|100px]]
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = 
| type = US Air Force base
| coordinates = {{Coord|30|25|40|N|086|41|22|W|name=Hurlburt Field|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| gridref = 
| image_map = 
| image_mapsize = 
| image_map_alt = 
| image_map_caption = 
| pushpin_map = Florida # USA # North America # North Atlantic # Gulf of Mexico
| pushpin_mapsize = 
| pushpin_map_alt = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| pushpin_relief = y
| pushpin_image = 
| pushpin_label = Hurlburt Field
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| pushpin_mark = Roundel of the USAF.svg
| pushpin_marksize = 20
| ownership = [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]]
| operator = [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]]
| controlledby = [[Air Force Special Operations Command]] (AFSOC)
| open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc. -->
| site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| site_other = <!-- for other sorts of facilities – radar types etc. -->
| site_area = <!-- area of site m2, km2 square mile etc. -->
| code = <!--facility/installation code, applies to US -->
| built = {{Start date|1942}}
| used = 1942 – present<!--{{End date|1946}} -->
| builder = 
| materials = 
| height = <!-- height of tallest part, not above sea level -->
| length = <!-- for border fences or other DMZs -->
| fate = <!--changed from demolished parameter-->
| condition = Operational
| battles = 
| events = 
| current_commander = [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] Allison “Angel of Death” Black
| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
| garrison = [[1st Special Operations Wing]]
| occupants = <!-- squadrons only -->
| designations = 
| website = [https://www.hurlburt.af.mil/ www.hurlburt.af.mil]
<!-- begin airfield information  -->
| IATA = HRT
| ICAO = KHRT
| FAA = HRT
| TC = 
| LID = 
| GPS = 
| WMO = 747770
| elevation = {{Convert|11.5|m|0}}
| r1-number = 18/36
| r1-length = {{Convert|2926|m|0}}
| r1-surface = [[concrete]]
| h1-number = H18/H36
| h1-length = {{Convert|490.1|m|0}}
| h1-surface = concrete
| airfield_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| airfield_other = <!-- for other sorts of airfield facilities -->
<!--  end airfield information   -->
| footnotes = '''Source:''' [[Federal Aviation Administration]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/1908/00734ad.pdf#nameddest=(HRT)|title=Airport Diagram – Cannon AFB (KHRT)|date=18 July 2019|website=Federal Aviation Administration|access-date=28 July 2019}}</ref>
}}
[[File:Hurlburt-field-main-gate-1967.jpg|thumb|Main gate (about 1967)]]
[[File:CV-22 Osprey flies over the Emerald Coast.JPG|thumb|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.]]
[[File:Donald Wilson Hurlburt.jpg|thumb|First Lieutenant Donald Wilson Hurlburt]]
[[File:Sgt Tanya Breed.jpg|right|thumb|U.S. Air Force MSgt Tanya Breed demonstrates a [[Barrett .50]] caliber rifle during a special operations training course at Hurlburt Field.]]

'''Hurlburt Field''' {{airport codes||KHRT|HRT}} is a [[United States Air Force]] installation located in [[Okaloosa County, Florida]], immediately west of the town of [[Mary Esther, Florida|Mary Esther]]. It is part of the greater [[Eglin Air Force Base]] reservation and is home to Headquarters [[Air Force Special Operations Command]] (AFSOC), the [[1st&nbsp;Special Operations Wing]] (1&nbsp;SOW), the [[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 Air Force Base|Eglin]]. The installation is nearly {{convert|6700|acre|km2|0}} and employs nearly 8,000 military personnel.

This facility is assigned a three-letter [[location identifier]] of '''HRT''' by the [[Federal Aviation Administration]], but it does not have an [[International Air Transport Association (IATA) airport code]] (the IATA assigned '''HRT''' to [[RAF Linton-on-Ouse]] in England).<ref name="FAA">{{FAA-airport|id=HRT|name=HURLBURT FIELD}}, effective November 10, 2016.</ref><ref>{{cite web
  | url        = http://www.iata.org/publications/Pages/code-search.aspx
  | title      = Airline and Airport Code Search
  | publisher  = [[International Air Transport Association]] (IATA)
  | access-date = November 14, 2016
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
  | url        = http://gc.kls2.com/airport/KHRT
  | title      = Hurlburt Field (IATA: none, ICAO: KHRT, FAA: HRT)
  | publisher  = Great Circle Mapper
  | access-date = November 14, 2016
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
  | url        = http://gc.kls2.com/airport/HRT
  | title      = Linton-on-Ouse (IATA: HRT, ICAO: EGXU)
  | publisher  = Great Circle Mapper
  | access-date = November 14, 2016
}}</ref>

==History==
Hurlburt began as a small training field for the much larger [[Eglin Air Force Base|Eglin Field]]. It was initially designated Eglin Auxiliary Field No. 9, and later as [[Eglin Air Force Base]] Auxiliary Field 9/Hurlburt Field when the [[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 [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress|B-17s]] and receiving the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)]], Lieutenant Hurlburt was assigned in mid-1943 to the First Proving Ground Electronics Test Unit at Eglin Field. He died on October 1, 1943,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eglin.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/390964/eglin-air-force-base-history/|title=Eglin Air Force Base History|date=July 25, 2012|publisher=96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office|access-date=April 17, 2017}} Air Force supplied date of 1 October 1943 1st Lt Hurlburt death</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hurlburt.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/204632/donald-hurlburt/|title=First Lieutenant Donald Hurlburt|publisher=United States Air Force|access-date=April 17, 2017}}</ref> when his [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed]] [[AT-18 Hudson]] gunnery trainer, ''42-55591'', crashed during take-off at Eglin. An official history of Eglin AFB's early years cites October 2, 1943, as the date for this accident, and also notes that Capt. Barclay H. Dillon, test pilot of the Fighter Section of the 1st Proving Ground Group, died in another accident the same date. Auxiliary Field No. 10 was later named Eglin Dillon Airdrome,<ref>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.</ref> now known primarily as [[Naval Outlying Landing Field Choctaw]], a Navy auxiliary field to [[Naval Air Station Pensacola]] and [[NAS Whiting Field]]. Hurlburt's nephew was Captain [[Craig D. Button]], USAF, noted for his mysterious flight and crash of an [[A-10 Thunderbolt]] on April 2, 1997.

===Doolittle Raiders===
Lieutenant Colonel [[Jimmy Doolittle]] and his [[Doolittle Raid|Raiders]] could not have practiced take offs with their [[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."<ref>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.</ref> 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.<ref>Kane, Robert B., Lt. Col., USAF, Retired, "The Raiders at Eglin", ''Air Force Magazine'', Arlington, Virginia, April 2015, Volume 98, Number 4, page 72.</ref>

For the 2008 gathering of Doolittle mission survivors, six crew were present for recognition in [[Fort Walton Beach, Florida]], culminating in a reenactment of the training sessions by three civilian-owned [[B-25 Mitchell]]s at [[Duke Field]] on 31 May. Navy personnel from [[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 [[Republic-Ford JB-2]] Loons, American copies of the V-1 "buzz bombs", were operated on [[Santa Rosa Island, Florida|Santa Rosa Island]], from Site A-15, directly south of Field 9 from the fall of 1944 in anticipation of [[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.<ref>Cornett & Johnson, p.&nbsp;67</ref> It was redesignated the '''4751st Air Defense Missile Wing''' on January 15, 1958 and discontinued on July 1, 1962 when Tactical Air Command took over the [[military airbase|field]].<ref>{{cite book
  | last      = Mueller
  | first     = Robert
  | title     = Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982
  | url       = https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330255/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-026.pdf
  | year      = 1989
  | publisher = Office of Air Force History
  | location  = Washington, DC
  | isbn      = 0-912799-53-6
  | page      = 130
}}</ref> Its subordinate '''4751st Air Defense Missile Squadron''' continued operations as a tenant until November 30, 1979.<ref>Cornett & Johnson, p. 106</ref> It operated IM-99/CIM-10 [[Bomarc]] [[surface-to-air missile]]s from this site. On August 18, 1960, a Bomarc missile from the Santa Rosa launch facility made a direct hit on its target, a [[QB-47]]E [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drone]] of the 3205th Drone Group, marking the first shoot-down of a multi-jet medium bomber by a surface-to-air missile.<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.eglin.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=9278&page=1
 |title       = Eglin Air Force Base – Fact Sheet (Printable) : HISTORICAL EGLIN EVENTS IN AUGUST
 |publisher   = Eglin.af.mil
 |access-date  = May 19, 2011
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110717184814/http://www.eglin.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=9278&page=1
 |archive-date = July 17, 2011
 |df          = mdy-all
}}</ref>

The [[6555th Guided Missile Wing]] operated CGM-13/TGM-13 [[MGM-13 Mace|Mace]] [[cruise missiles]] from the island. On January 5, 1967 an international incident was narrowly avoided when a TGM-13 Mace, launched from Santa Rosa Island, which was supposed to circle over the Gulf on a racetrack course for shoot-down by a pair of Eglin [[F-4 Phantom]]s, instead, headed south for [[Cuba]]. A third F-4 overtook the drone, firing two test [[Air-to-air missile|AAMs]] with no effect, and damaged it with cannon fire, but the unarmed Mace actually overflew the western tip of Cuba before crashing in open water some {{convert|100|mi|km}} further south.<ref>Washington, D.C.: Washington Daily News, "''Made a MACE of It: Jet Failed to Down Errant Missile''", January 5, 1967.</ref><ref>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.</ref> The final Mace launches from Hurlburt Site A-15 took place in June 1974.<ref>Fort Walton Beach, Florida: Playground Daily News, ''Air Force Resumes MACE Tests'', Thursday, May 30, 1974.</ref> Other launches in the 1960s included six high-altitude releases of vaporized barium from 2-stage [[Nike Iroquois]] sounding rockets in January 1967 to measure wind speeds and directions in the upper atmosphere, conducted under the auspices of 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.<ref>Fort Walton Beach, Florida: Playground Daily News, "''Vapor Cloud Expected From Tests''", Thursday, January 12, 1967, Volume 20, Number 272, page 1.</ref>

===Tactical bombardment===
Hurlburt Field fell into disrepair following [[World War II]] but was reactivated in 1955. The [[17th Bombardment Wing]] was reactivated on April 1, 1955 and assigned to the Ninth Air Force, with the [[34th Bombardment Squadron|34th]], [[37th Bombardment Squadron|37th]],<ref>personal assignment at Hurlburt during 1955 to 1958</ref> and [[95th Bombardment Squadron|95th Bomb Squadrons]] assigned under the [[17th Bombardment Group|17th Bomb Group]]. "Officers and airmen of the 17th crossed the Pacific in three echelons. Some flew their B-26's {{sic}} from [[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 ''[[USS Cape Esperance|Cape Esperance]]."<ref>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.</ref>

The 17th Bomb Wing was stationed at Eglin AFB, Florida, operating from Hurlburt Field, where it was programmed to receive the [[Martin B-57 Canberra]], the replacement for the [[Douglas B-26 Invader|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 [[Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star]] which arrived from Ninth Air Force Headquarters, [[Shaw AFB]], South Carolina, on July 28, 1955, piloted by Maj. J. H. Murrow and Maj. L. F. Collins. "Pilots of the 17th Bomb Wing will in the near future be flying T-33's {{sic}} for instrument and transitional training to prepare for the new B-66 bomber which is slated for delivery to the wing..."<ref>Crestview, Florida, "First Jet Plane Lands at Hurlburt", ''The Okaloosa News-Journal'', Thursday August 4, 1955, Volume 41, Number 31, page 3.</ref> The first B-66 arrived at Hurlburt on March 16, 1956, after a flight from [[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.<ref>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.</ref>

The 17th Bomb Wing was equipped with the [[Douglas B-66 Destroyer|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 [[Mobile, Alabama]], announced on April 5, 1956, that a contract had been awarded in the amount of $3,315,143.34 to the McDonough Construction Company of Georgia, [[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.<ref>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.</ref> Construction began on the first 48 buildings (72 units) in mid-April, with initial completion expected by February 1957.<ref>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.</ref>

===Special operations===
On April 14, 1961 the Air Force [[Tactical Air Command]] (TAC) activated the [[Farm Gate (military operation)|4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron]] at Hurlburt, to fly operations against [[guerrillas]], either as an overt Air Force operation or in an undefined covert capacity. Known by its nickname "Jungle Jim", the unit was commanded by Colonel Benjamin H. King. The squadron was authorized 16 [[C-47]]s, eight [[A-26 Invader|B-26s]] and eight [[T-28 Trojan]]s, 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 [[A-1 Skyraider|A-1E Skyraiders]], [[AC-119G]] Shadow and [[AC-119K]] Stinger gunships, [[AC-47]] Spooky gunships, [[AC-130]]A Spectre gunships, [[A-26 Invader|B-26K]] Counter-Invaders (including those deployed to the Congo), U[[C-123K]]s with underwing jet pods, [[OV-10A]] Forward Air Control Broncos, Cessna [[O-2A]] Skymaster [[Forward air control|FAC]] and [[O-2B]] [[PSYOPS]] aircraft, [[Beechcraft Bonanza#QU-22|QU-22B]] recon drones, and other long-serving C-47s in various support roles. Following the conclusion of the war in Southeast Asia, most reciprocating engine types were retired by the USAF. [[UH-1]]s and [[CH-3]]s 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 [[England AFB]], Louisiana, in July 1969. "In early 1967 the wing comprised four squadrons; two were at Hurlburt, the 4408th CCTS training C-123 crews and the 4409th training A-1E and T-28 pilots, including Vietnamese students. The 4410th CCTS at [[Holley Field]] primarily trained O-1 [[Forward Air Controller]]s and students flying the [[Helio Courier|U-10]] and [[Cessna O-2|O-2]]. In December the 4407th CCTS would be activated to assume the mission of the 4410th while that unit began training crews in the new OV-10 Bronco FAC aircraft. The fourth squadron, the 4412th CCTS was at England AFB, training C-47D and AC-47D pilots. On 1 April the 4532nd CCTS was activated to fly A-37Bs and assigned to the Wing. Later in the year both the 4412th and 4532nd were reassigned to the [[1st Air Commando Wing|1st ACW]] at England AFB."<ref name="Chinnery, Philip D. 1997">Chinnery, Philip D., "Air Commando: Inside The Air Force Special Operations Command", St. Martin's Paperbacks, St. Martin's Press, New York, January 1997, Library of Congress card number 94-66597, {{ISBN|0-312-95881-1}},Chapter 7 – The Secret War in Laos – 1967-'68, page 182,</ref>

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 Special Operations Squadron|319th Air Commando Squadron]] departed on April 10.<ref name="Chinnery, Philip D. 1997"/>

The 20th Special Operations Squadron reactivated in 1976 at Hurlburt Field, the unit mission remaining unconventional warfare and special operations using [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois|UH-1N]] gunships and [[Sikorsky H-3|CH-3Es]]. The [[MH-53 Pave Low|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."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hurlburt.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheets/Article/204557/mh-53-pave-low/ |title = MH-53 Pave Low > Hurlburt Field > Hurlburt Field Fact Sheets}}</ref> "The helicopters brought 200 new military jobs to Hurlburt, bringing the number of military positions at the base to 3,200."<ref>Fort Walton Beach, Florida, "Today in Local History", ''Northwest Florida Daily News'', Thursday June 18, 2015, Volume 69, Number 137, page A5.</ref>

In the early 1960s, Hurlburt was utilized as a [[Strategic Air Command]] dispersal base for [[B-47]]s of the [[306th Flying Training Group|306th Bomb Wing]] at [[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, [[Lockheed AC-130]] Spectre/Spooky gunship and [[MC-130]] Combat Talon/Combat Spear operations have remained on the western flight line, while additional hangars and ramps have been constructed northeast of the intersection of the main runway and the Doolittle runway. These newer facilities are home to [[CV-22 Osprey]] operations of the 413th Flight Test Squadron of the 96th Test Wing, and the recently retired [[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|date=January 2012}}

The [[United States Air Force Special Operations School|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|date=January 2012}}

The [[Joint Special Operations University]] (JSOU) was previously located at Hurlburt Field until its relocation to [[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]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wiles|first=Wiles|date=31 August 2020|title=AFSOC activates first FLANG CV-22 squadron|url=https://www.hurlburt.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2331057/afsoc-activates-first-flang-cv-22-squadron/|access-date=1 September 2020|website=Hurlburt Field|publisher=US Air Force|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Facilities==
Hurlburt Field has a {{convert|9600|x|150|ft}} [[runway]] designated 18/36 and a {{convert|1608|x|90|ft}} [[helipad]], both with [[concrete]] surfaces.<ref name="FAA" />

Base housing is located across from the main base divided by [[U.S. Highway 98|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://myhurlburt.com/pages/militarydining.html |title = Military Dining}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/20150815/NEWS/150819471 |title = Completed flyover has cut travel time}}</ref>

==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.

[[File:UH-1P.jpg|thumb|UH-1P on display at Hurlburt Field]]

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Type
! S/N
! Service
! Note
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Fairchild AC-119|Fairchild AC-119G SHADOW]]
| rowspan="2"|53-3144
| rowspan="2"|1954 - 1975 
| rowspan="2"|Served as a crop duster after end of its military service.<ref name="hurlburt.af.mil">{{cite web |title=Hurlburt Field Memorial Airpark Guide |url=https://www.hurlburt.af.mil/Portals/84/HOME%20PAGE/Helpful%20Info/Hurlburt%20Field%20Air%20Park/Airpark_Guide_2015.pdf?ver=2016-06-23-175444-307 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218082004/https://www.hurlburt.af.mil/Portals/84/HOME%20PAGE/Helpful%20Info/Hurlburt%20Field%20Air%20Park/Airpark_Guide_2015.pdf?ver=2016-06-23-175444-307 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 18, 2020 |access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref>
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Curtiss C-46 Commando]]
| rowspan="2"|44-77424
| rowspan="2"|1944 - 1955 
| rowspan="2"|Korean War veteran<ref name="hurlburt.af.mil"/>
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[B-25J Mitchell]]
| rowspan="2"|43-28222
| rowspan="2"|1944 - 1957
| rowspan="2"|
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Douglas A-1 Skyraider]]
| rowspan="2"|52-132598
| rowspan="2"|1954 - 1971
| rowspan="2"|
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Sikorsky S-61R|Sikorsky HH-3E Jolly Green Giant]]
| rowspan="2"|65-12784 
| rowspan="2"|1966 - 1990
| rowspan="2"|Vietnam veteran<ref name="hurlburt.af.mil"/>
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Douglas A-26 Invader|Douglas A-26A COUNTER INVADER]]
| rowspan="2"|64-17666
| rowspan="2"|???? - 1970
| rowspan="2"|Vietnam veteran. S/N changed when reactivated in 1964.<ref name="hurlburt.af.mil"/>
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Fairchild C-123 Provider|Fairchild C-123K Provider]]
| rowspan="2"|55-4533
| rowspan="2"|1956 - 1980
| rowspan="2"|Stationed at Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam<ref name="hurlburt.af.mil"/>
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[C-47 Skytrain]]
| rowspan="2"|43-15510
| rowspan="2"|1944 - 1949
| rowspan="2"|[[Operation OVERLORD]] & Berlin Airlift veteran. Modified to appear as an AC-47 prior to display, although it never served as a gunship operationally. 
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Lockheed AC-130|Lockheed AC-130A SPECTRE]]
| rowspan="2"|56-0509
| rowspan="2"|1957 - 1994
| rowspan="2"|Vietnam & Desert Storm veteran<ref name="hurlburt.af.mil"/>
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Lockheed AC-130|Lockheed AC-130H SPECTRE]]
| rowspan="2"|69-6575
| rowspan="2"|1969 - 2012
| rowspan="2"|Operation Just Cause, Operation Desert Storm, & Operation Enduring Freedom veteran.
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Cessna A-37 Dragonfly]]
| rowspan="2"|70-1293
| rowspan="2"|1970 - 1988
| rowspan="2"|
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Bell UH-1 Iroquois|Bell UH-1P IROQUOIS]]
| rowspan="2"|64-15493
| rowspan="2"|1964 - 1980
| rowspan="2"|Vietnam veteran. Modified for psychological operations.<ref name="hurlburt.af.mil"/> 
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[North American T-28 Trojan]]
| rowspan="2"|49-1663
| rowspan="2"|1951 - 1973
| rowspan="2"|
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco]]
| rowspan="2"|67-14626
| rowspan="2"|1968 - 2000
| rowspan="2"|Served with the 504th Tactical Air Support Group, Bien Hoa AB during the Vietnam War. Later served as a ground maintenance trainer.<ref name="hurlburt.af.mil"/>
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Cessna O-1 Bird Dog]]
| rowspan="2"|56-4208 
| rowspan="2"|1957 - 1973
| rowspan="2"|
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Cessna O-2 Skymaster]]
| rowspan="2"|67-21368
| rowspan="2"|1967 - 1982 
| rowspan="2"|Served at Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Helio Courier|U-10A SUPER COURIER]]
| rowspan="2"|62-3606
| rowspan="2"|1961 - 1971
| rowspan="2"|
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Lockheed MC-130#MC-130E Combat Talon|Lockheed MC-130E COMBAT TALON I]]
| rowspan="2"|64-0567
| rowspan="2"|1965 - ????
| rowspan="2"|Exfiltrated [[Manuel Noriega]] from Panama on 2 Jan. 1990<ref name="hurlburt.af.mil"/>
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Lockheed MC-130#MC-130P Combat Shadow|Lockheed MC-130P COMBAT SHADOW]]
| rowspan="2"|65-099
| rowspan="2"|1965 - 1996
| rowspan="2"|
|-
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Sikorsky MH-53|Sikorsky MH-53 PAVE LOW]]
| rowspan="2"|68-10928
| rowspan="2"|1970 - 2007
| rowspan="2"|Iraq War veteran
|-
|
|}

==Based units==
Flying and notable non-flying units based at Hurlburt Field.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2018|title=Aircraft and Squadrons of the US Air Force|journal=United States Air Force Air Power Review 2018|publisher=Key Publishing|pages=83, 85, 95 and 98}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hurlburt.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheets/Article/204524/1st-special-operations-wing/|title=1st Special Operations Wing|date=18 November 2018|website=Hurlburt Field|publisher=US Air Force|language=en-US|access-date=30 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.afsoc.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/5046/Article/571079/492nd-special-operations-wing.aspx|title=492nd Special Operations Wing|date=30 April 2018|website=Air Force Special Operations Command|publisher=US Air Force|language=en-US|access-date=30 July 2019}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.505ccw.acc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/|title=Fact Sheets|website=505th Command and Control Wing|publisher=US Air Force|access-date=30 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-10 |title=Wing Fact Sheet 655th ISRW |url=https://www.445aw.afrc.af.mil/Portals/117/Documents/Fact%20Sheets/AFR%20Wing%20Fact%20Sheet%20-%20655%20ISRW_April%202019.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828033027/https://www.445aw.afrc.af.mil/Portals/117/Documents/Fact%20Sheets/AFR%20Wing%20Fact%20Sheet%20-%20655%20ISRW_April%202019.pdf |archive-date=2021-08-28 |access-date=2022-03-10}}</ref>

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===
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
'''[[Air Force Special Operations Command]]''' '''(AFSOC)'''

*Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command
*[[1st Special Operations Wing]] (host)
**1st Special Operations Air Operations Squadron
**1st Special Operations Comptroller Squadron
**1st Special Operations Group
***1st Special Operations Support Squadron
***[[4th Special Operations Squadron]] – [[Lockheed AC-130|AC-130J Ghostrider]], [[Lockheed AC-130|AC-130U Spooky]]
***[[8th Special Operations Squadron]] – [[Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey|CV-22B Osprey]]
***[[11th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron]]
***[[15th Special Operations Squadron]] – [[Lockheed MC-130|MC-130J Commando II]]
***[[23rd Special Operations Weather Squadron]]
***[[34th Special Operations Squadron]] – [[U-28A|U-28A Draco]]
***[[65th Special Operations Squadron]] – [[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9A Reaper]]
***[[73rd Special Operations Squadron]] – [[AC-130J|AC-130J Ghostrider]]
***[[319th Special Operations Squadron]] – U-28A Draco
***Detachment 1 – AC-130J Ghostrider
**1st Special Operations Maintenance Group
***1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
***1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron
***1st Special Operations Munitions Squadron
***801st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
***15 SOAMXS Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
**1st Special Operations Mission Support Group
***1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron
***1st Special Operations Communications Squadron
***1st Special Operations Contracting Squadron
***1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron
***1st Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron
***1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron
**1st Special Operations Medical Group
***1st Special Operations Healthcare Operations Squadron
***1st Special Operations Medical Readiness Squadron
***1st Special Operations Medical Support Squadron
*[[24th Special Operations Wing]]
**[[720th Special Tactics Group]]
***[[23rd Special Tactics Squadron]]
***720th Operations Support Squadron
*[[492nd Special Operations Wing]]
**[[United States Air Force Special Operations School|US Air Force Special Operations School]]
**492nd Special Operations Group
***[[18th Flight Test Squadron]]
***[[19th Special Operations Squadron]] – AC-130J Ghostrider, AC-130U Spooky, MC-130H Combat Talon II and U-28A Draco
**492nd Special Operations Training Group
***371st Special Operations Combat Training Squadron
***492nd Special Operations Advanced Capabilities Squadron
{{Col-break}}
'''[[Air Combat Command]]''' '''(ACC)'''

*[[United States Air Force Warfare Center|US Air Force Warfare Center]]
**[[57th Wing]]
***[[USAF Weapons School]]
****[[14th Weapons Squadron]] (GSU) – AC-130U Spooky, [[Lockheed AC-130|AC-130W Stinger II]], CV-22B Osprey, MC-130H Combat Talon II, MC-130J Commando II and U-28A Draco
**[[505th Command and Control Wing]]
***505th Test and Evaluation Group
****[[84th Radar Evaluation Squadron]]
****605th Test and Evaluation Squadron
***505th Training Group
****505th Combat Training Squadron
****505th Communications Squadron
****505th Training Squadron
****705th Training Squadron
*[[Fifteenth Air Force]]
**[[Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers|800th RED HORSE Group]] 
***[[Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers|823rd RED HORSE Squadron]] (GSU)
*[[Sixteenth Air Force]]
**[[67th Cyberspace Wing]]
***[[318th Cyberspace Operations Group]]
****[[39th Information Operations Squadron]] (GSU)
**[[363rd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing]]
***[[361st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group|361st Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group]] (GSU)
****[[25th Intelligence Squadron]]
** [[557th Weather Wing]]
*** 2nd Weather Group
****2nd Combat Weather Systems Squadron (GSU)

'''[[Air Force Materiel Command]] (AFMC)'''

*[[96th Test Wing]]
**96th Operations Group
***[[413th Flight Test Squadron]] (GSU) – AC-130U Spooky, AC-130J Ghostrider, MC-130H Combat Talon II, CV-22B Osprey, and U-28A Draco

'''[[Air Force Reserve Command]] (AFRC)'''
* [[Tenth Air Force]] 
** [[655th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing]]
*** [[755th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group]]
**** [[28th Intelligence Squadron]] (GSU)
** [[919th Special Operations Wing]]
*** 919th Special Operations Group
**** [[2nd Special Operations Squadron]] – [[MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9A Reaper]] (GSU)
**** [[5th Special Operations Squadron]] – [[Pilatus PC-12|U-28A Draco]] (GSU)
*[[Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers|556th Red Horse Squadron]]

'''[[Air National Guard]] (ANG)'''

*[[Florida Air National Guard]]
**[[125th Fighter Wing]]
***249th Special Operations Squadron (GSU) – CV-22B Osprey
{{Col-end}}

==Demographics==
Hurlburt Field was defined as the Hurlburt Field CDP as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 United States Census]], with a recorded population of 2,176.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Hurlburt%20Field%20CDP,%20Florida |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> It is part of the [[Crestview–Fort Walton Beach–Destin metropolitan area]].

==In popular culture==
*The ''[[Transformers]] 3'' movie, in production in September 2010, and featuring the [[CV-22 Osprey]] and [[Lockheed AC-130|AC-130U Spooky]], was filmed in part at Hurlburt Field.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/walton-33344-field-filming.html 
 |title=Transformers 3 filming at airport, Hurlburt Field , walton, field, filming – News – Northwest Florida Daily News 
 
 |publisher=Nwfdailynews.com 
 |date=September 28, 2010 
 |access-date=May 19, 2011 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001015228/http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/walton-33344-field-filming.html 
 |archive-date=October 1, 2010 
 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> A number of Hurlburt Airmen were used as extras in the film.
*The NBA Miami Heat ran a week-long preseason training camp at the Aderholt Fitness Center on Hurlburt Field on September 28, 2010.<ref>{{cite web
 |author=Airman 1st Class Joe McFadden 
 |url=http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123224096 
 |title="HEAT is on at Hurlburt Field" from the official website 
 |publisher=.hurlburt.af.mil 
 |date=September 28, 2010 
 |access-date=May 19, 2011 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720111831/http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123224096 
 |archive-date=July 20, 2011 
 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Florida World War II Army Airfields]]
*[[List of United States Air Force installations]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
*{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
*{{cite book
 |last         = Cornett
 |first        = Lloyd H
 |author2      = Johnson, Mildred W
 |title        = A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946–1980
 |url          = http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/handbookofadcorg.pdf
 |year         = 1980
 |publisher    = Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center
 |location     = Peterson AFB, CO
 |access-date  = March 4, 2012
 |archive-date = February 13, 2016
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20160213173347/http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/handbookofadcorg.pdf
 |url-status   = dead
}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|https://www.hurlburt.af.mil/}}
*[https://www.myhurlburt.com/ My Hurlburt] – base force support squadron
*{{FAA-diagram|00734}}
*{{FAA-procedures|HRT}}
{{US-airport-mil|HRT|-}}

{{US Air Force navbox}}
{{USAF Air Force Special Operations Command}}
{{Aerospace Defense Command}}
{{Tactical Air Command}}
{{Florida airports}}
{{FLMilitary}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2016}}

[[Category:Installations of the United States Air Force in Florida]]
[[Category:Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics Airfields]]
[[Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in Florida]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Okaloosa County, Florida]]
[[Category:Former census-designated places in Florida]]
[[Category:1942 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Okaloosa County, Florida]]