Moving the Hurlburt Field family campground seems to me a flawed idea.
I served in the Air Force for 20 years, 18 of them in the disaster preparedness career field. If the “famcamp” is left where it is and a tropical storm forces evacuation of that area, only some campers, who can be moved quickly, will have to be relocated. If there is housing in that area, you will have the potential of government property being damaged or destroyed.
Also, there often is flooding near the main gate and the south end of the runway during heavy rains or tropical storms.
I have driven through the famcamp area. It’s the kind of place where I would want to camp — majestic old oaks allow for beauty and shade near the water for a place to play and relax. I’ve also driven by the new famcamp site. It reminds one of a barren parking lot with all the trees removed, and it’s not near the water.
Near the new famcamp area is the Commando village, which was military housing. The new famcamp could be made into more housing if required. The old gate in that area could have been opened back up for personnel living in that area, and they could be given windshield passes to allow only their vehicles through that gate.
— MAURICE E. HODGDON
Mary Esther