Eglin Air Force Base opened two new dormitories last month, providing no-cost housing for 288 airmen in modern facilities designed to meet the needs of junior enlisted personnel.
- Buildings 820 and 822 were officially opened during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 23. The new dormitories bring Eglin’s total on-base housing capacity to 853 service members.
“Thanks to the committed efforts of many, today, construction is complete,” said Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro, 96th Test Wing commander. “These great new facilities provide homes for our Team Eglin junior enlisted force and allow them to focus on being mission-ready Airmen.”
Each dormitory contains 36 suites with 144 rooms per building. The living spaces feature private furnished bedrooms equipped with full-sized beds, desks, chairs and refrigerators. Each suite includes a fully equipped kitchen and washer/dryer combo.
Airman 1st Class Jayden Watlington, a load crew member with the 96th Maintenance Squadron, praised the new facilities.
- “You’re moving into a brand-new, top-tier facility,” Watlington said. “It’s a place we can take pride in and enjoy, and it really shows how much Eglin values us.”
The dormitories represent a major expansion of on-base housing options for Eglin’s junior enlisted airmen, providing modern accommodations at no cost to service members.