Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park is entering a new phase of development aimed at enhancing the visitor experience and highlighting the legacy of Air Commandos.
The air park is projected to undergo a series of upgrades— including relocating the aircraft in front of the chapel to the south portion of the airpark and adding benches throughout to better serve visitors and strengthen its role as a public tribute to Air Force Special Operations. The updates are expected to begin late July 2025, however no expected completion date has been set yet. “There is probably a fifth grader at St. Mary’s School who wants to be a gunship pilot,” said Col. Patrick Dierig, 1st Special Operations Wing commander. “We need to get her out to the air park to see an AC-130 so that it lights a fire in her and continues to grow the next generation of Air Commandos.”
The ongoing improvements are part of a broader initiative to develop the Air Commando Museum, which is projected to be a facility located next to the air park, with construction anticipated to begin around 2030.
The museum project is being led by The Air Commando Heritage Foundation; a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of Air Commandos for more than eight decades. They are committed to educating future generations and inspiring a renewed sense of appreciation for Air Commandos by promoting public access to historical exhibits. “We’ve got an incredible partnership with Hurlburt Field, and we’re working to make something that truly showcases our Air Commandos,” said retired Lt. Col. Kristi Beckman, Air Commando Heritage Foundation director. “This isn’t just for the military, it’s for the entire community.”
Designed to honor the heritage of Air Commandos since World War II, the current museum plans include interactive displays, immersive storytelling and a wide array of exhibits designed to educate visitors. “These updates are about more than just convenience, they’re about access,” Beckman said. “When I was young, I used to go by this base and wonder what was behind the gates — well, now you’ll get to know.”
