Eglin Air Force Base restricts water access in six locations over ’emerging threats’

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — According to base officials, the waters surrounding Eglin Air Force Base and the range area are now restricted.

The new restrictions will limit access to six specific waterways, which are now only open to ID cardholders and visitors with a pass. The change comes from base officials identifying “emerging air and waterborne threats against defense installations.”

According to a news release, the 96th Test Wing commander determined that the security posture of these waterways must align with restrictions already in place for Eglin’s land areas.

The affected areas now include:

• 1,000-foot boundary near Eglin’s main shoreline.

• 300-foot boundary on Camp Pinchot shoreline.

• 200-foot boundary on the North side of Santa Rosa Sound near Hurlburt Field.

• 150-foot boundary on the South side of Santa Rosa Sound.

• 150-foot boundary near Wynnhaven Beach

• 150-foot boundary on the Poquito Bayou housing area shoreline

Visitor passes can be obtained at the Visitor Control Center, located at the Air Force Armament Museum. The center operates daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sponsors can get base passes from airmen stationed at the gate between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The Northwest Florida Daily News reached out to Eglin Air Force Base for further clarification on what those deemed threats were, but those questions have not been answered.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Eglin Air Force Base restricts access to local waterways