Target rubble becomes fish sanctuary

  • Published
  • By Mike Spaits
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Thanks to collaboration between Eglin and the community, local sportsmen have a new haven to view and catch fish in the Gulf of Mexico.

Two artificial reefs were created Nov. 4 from approximately 2,000 tons of concrete material provided by the Air Force Research Laboratory.  The concrete pieces were originally AFRL targets on the Eglin range that had outlived their usefulness.

The "Concrete to Reefs" initiative is the result of an innovative partnership between the base, the Air Force Research Laboratory and Okaloosa County, and is a direct result of both the Tri-County Community Partnership Initiative and the Air Force Community Partnership Program.

Okaloosa County paid to have the concrete pieces moved from the range to the Gulf of Mexico, so the Air Force avoided the direct costs of having to pay a contractor to remove and dispose of it.

"Not only did the Air Force save more than $60,000 in disposal costs of the concrete, Okaloosa County gained two artificial reefs that will enhance the local residents and tourism base with more SCUBA diving and fishing opportunities," said Col. Nate Smith, Air Force Research Lab Munitions Directorate, acting deputy director.

In 2014, Eglin and Hurlburt Field leadership met with assorted representatives from Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties and generated 32 partnership ideas that impact Northwest Florida.  Those 32 ideas were refined down to eight and small working groups brought each idea to fruition. 

"The Community Partnership Program's goal is for the Air Force and the community to partner together, understand each other's opportunities and challenges, and deliver mutually beneficial services at a reduced cost while strengthening those relationships in the community," said Col. Craig Johnson, 96th Civil Engineer Group commander.  "All of these opportunities in a small, yet meaningful way, strengthen our communities and our nation," said Johnson.

The CPP is not just a once-and-done effort, according to SunHee Brown, 96th CEG community planner.

"We look forward to many years of continued Air Force donations of concrete materials, including stockpiled CE materials for this unique opportunity for a win-win partnership," said Brown.

In addition to the mutual benefits to the community and the Air Force, the county sweetened the deal by naming one of the reefs "Mac's Reef," after a long-time AFRL employee who had passed away earlier this year.

Charles "Mac" McClenahan, was a weapons developer at the AFRL Munitions Directorate who dedicated more than 51 years to the Air Force through active duty and civil service.

"Mac was the best of the best of the best," said Dr. John Wilcox, former AFRL director.

"He came into the Air Force in the 1960's during the Vietnam war as an EOD technician. Through the years, he transitioned into civilian life and spent another 25 years working in the AFRL as the Air Force's foremost expert on guns and munitions systems. Mac's work will endure for decades just like this reef named after him."