Eglin AFB wants to kick out VPS airport from Ft Walton

[Smiling JOe]

Just heard a news story on NPR regarding NASA and the USAF. The focus of the story was on NASA, but they also mention that the USAF has "gotten into a sticky situation" at Eglin AFB, because they agreed to share runways with the VPS municipal airport. Now that Eglin will be responsible for hosting a new fleet of jets, they want to kick out VPS.

I had heard a while back that VPS would be closing down after the new roadway is completed from VPS to the new PCB airport under construction, but I heard that from some people who are supposedly in the know. This is the first news story I've heard stating that there is somewhat of a conflict between VPS and Eglin AFB.
Wish I had the story in print, to post.

 

[scooterbug44]

I do not know about the jet testing rumor, but the rumor about VPS closing when the new PC airport comes online is a big ol' steaming pile!

Realtors were spreading that rumor months ago to goose the market, but it was SO untrue that several local papers did a story to correct it and VPS even took an ad out in the NWF Daily News!

 

[Franny]

I do not know about the jet testing rumor, but the rumor about VPS closing when the new PC airport comes online is a big ol' steaming pile!

Where did you get your info scooter?

 

[beachmouse]

Wonder if they got ahold of the 'fact sheet' that the PCB lawyer had the PCB chamber of commerce passing out where he later admitted he totally made up the 'airport will close by 2010' story.

A) If they're talking about kicking the civilian air traffic out, why is the air terminal currently spending $10-$20 million on construction upgrades?

B) if they did close that airport about 80-90% of the passenger traffic that originated in Okaloosa County would go to Pensacola instead because it's closer and has better flight options.

C) It's in the AF's best interest to have limited civliian air options into the area because it makes it quicker for its own people to move back and forth across the country.

 

[scooterbug44]

My attempts at links aren't working - there's a sowal thread called "Okaloosa regional not going away" that has good official info and was started to clarify the train wreck that the "PCB not so stupid now" thread had become.

 

[Smiling JOe]

hence the NPR story noting that Eglin has gotten into a sticky situation. Yes, Eglin extended the lease to VPS, but it sounds like maybe they are regretting it, and will have to either suck it up, or breach the contract.

Surely the USAF had lawyers write the lease agreement and added "what-if" clauses.

 

[Carol G]

Here ya go:

http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=19171&highlight=okaloosa+regional

 

[greenroomsurfer]

Military term for rumor= scuttlebutt!

 

[Smiling JOe]

I do not know about the jet testing rumor, but the rumor about VPS closing when the new PC airport comes online is a big ol' steaming pile!

Realtors were spreading that rumor months ago to goose the market, but it was SO untrue that several local papers did a story to correct it and VPS even took an ad out in the NWF Daily News!

If you go back and read what I wrote: "I had heard a while back that VPS would be closing down after the new roadway is completed from VPS to the new PCB airport under construction...," you will see we are talking about two entirely different things.

Maybe you can explain how such a story, even if only rumor, would help goose the real estate market in this area. That math doesn't add up. If you are talking about the statement coming from the PCB Chamber of Commerce, that is not a Realtor. Many people were talking about that, including Realtors.

 

[30ashopper]

I do not know about the jet testing rumor, but the rumor about VPS closing when the new PC airport comes online is a big ol' steaming pile!

Realtors were spreading that rumor months ago to goose the market, but it was SO untrue that several local papers did a story to correct it and VPS even took an ad out in the NWF Daily News!

Not a rumor actually, Eglin is slated to support the new F35 joint strike fighter. They are in the process of doing the environmental studies now.

http://www.thedestinlog.com/news/arnold_5900___article.html/new_city.html