Rebuilding Tyndall AFB

When you drive around Tyndall Air Force Base you can still see the devastation and destruction that Hurricane Michael caused. When I first arrived in 2022, 4 years after the hurricane, we drove through the housing area and were struck with emotion as all we saw were concrete pads where homes used to be. I cannot begin to comprehend the loss these families felt as they had to flee their homes for safety and return to nothing. 

Tyndall AFB, Florida was home to the 325th Fighter Wing, which trained pilots to fly the F-22 Raptor, the world's most advanced fighter jet, before Hurricane Michael hit in October 2018.

Prior to Hurricane Michael, Tyndall AFB was a bustling military base with a variety of facilities, including a commissary, a hospital, a school, and numerous housing units. The base had a strong reputation for being at the forefront of innovation and technology, which led to its nickname "the base of the future."

However, Hurricane Michael was one of the strongest storms to hit the United States in history, and it caused significant devastation to the base. The Category 5 hurricane brought winds of over 160 miles per hour and a storm surge of over 9 feet, causing widespread destruction to buildings and infrastructure.

The base lost over 700 buildings and suffered more than $5 billion in damages. The majority of the housing units on the base were severely damaged or destroyed, leaving many military families without a place to live. The hospital was also heavily damaged, and the commissary and exchange suffered significant losses.

Despite the destruction caused by Hurricane Michael, the Air Force has committed to rebuilding Tyndall AFB, with the goal of making it an even stronger and more advanced military base. The rebuilding effort will focus on creating more resilient and sustainable infrastructure, as well as enhancing the base's technological capabilities.

The Air Force plans to invest over $4.9 billion in rebuilding Tyndall AFB, with construction projects expected to continue through 2030. The rebuilding effort will create new jobs and stimulate economic growth in the surrounding area, which was also affected by the hurricane.

Before the hurricane, the base had ~900 homes on base for military families. As of December 2022, they only had 97 homes available. These were either homes that were salvagable or ones that were completely rebuilt. Tyndall AFB Homes office claims they only have plans to rebuild ~650 homes. These homes will be rebuilt as insurance pays out. 

The base's nickname, "the base of the future," reflects its reputation as a cutting-edge military facility that is at the forefront of technological innovation. With the rebuilding effort underway, Tyndall AFB is poised to continue its legacy as a leader in military technology and innovation for many years to come. I am excited to be here during this time to see how Tyndal AFB will continue to grow and thrive.