Newest OLF now open

JAY, Fla. – The Navy's newest outlying landing field is now open for helicopter training following a ribbon-cutting Wednesday and ceremonial handover of the key to the site. Site X's transfer to the Navy featured a first landing by Naval Air Station Whiting Field Commanding Officer Capt. Paul Bowdich. Exchange of the signed deeds, which is the act that finalized change of ownership for both properties of some 600 acres each, was on Tuesday. The Navy has ceased operations at OLF Site 8 in neighboring Escambia County. The National Defense Authorization Act in 2015 authorized the land exchange, the first of its kind for the Navy. In June 2016, the Navy and Escambia County signed a land exchange agreement to formalize the intentions to transfer the property at Site 8 to Escambia County, in exchange for a suitable landing field in Santa Rosa County to replace Site 8. Escambia County plans to develop the former Site 8, possibly as a commerce park. (Source: GCAC, 01/30/19) Previous