New dorms boost affordable housing at Eglin

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  • By Michelle Gigante

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The long-awaited opening of Eglin’s newest dormitories, buildings 820 and 822, was commemorated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 23, marking a major milestone in providing quality, no-cost housing for the installation’s newest Airmen. 

Designed to house 288 Airmen, the two new dormitories bring Eglin’s total on-base dorm 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 includes 36 suites with 144 rooms per building. The living spaces include private furnished bedrooms with a full-sized bed, desk, chair, refrigerator, fully equipped kitchen, washer/dryer combo to meet the evolving needs of Team Eglin’s junior enlisted Airmen.

“You’re moving into a brand-new, top-tier facility,” said Airman 1st Class Jayden Watlington, a load crew member with the 96th Maintenance Squadron. “It’s a place we can take pride in and enjoy, and it really shows how much Eglin values us.”