About this Unit
The USAF Regional Hospital Eglin, located at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, has played a crucial role in supporting military health care since its activation. Established in 1941 to care for personnel assigned to the rapidly expanding base during World War II, the hospital has continuously evolved to meet the needs of service members, retirees, and their families. Over the decades, it has provided medical support during major conflicts, including the Korean War, Vietnam War, and recent operations in the Middle East. Today, the facility stands as a modern medical center, integrating advanced technology and training to ensure readiness and exceptional care for the Air Force community.
Historical Facts
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Origins During World War II: The USAF Regional Hospital Eglin (formerly Eglin Hospital) was originally established in 1941 to support the rapidly expanding Eglin Field, which trained thousands of airmen during World War II.
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Supporting Doolittle Raiders: The hospital played a role in the preparation of the famous Doolittle Raiders, providing medical support as they trained at Eglin for their historic 1942 Tokyo raid.
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Advanced Trauma Care: The facility has been at the forefront of trauma and emergency care, frequently training with local civilian agencies to prepare for mass casualty situations, both military and civilian.
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Hurricane Response: Located in hurricane-prone Florida, the hospital has repeatedly been mobilized for disaster response, providing critical care and evacuation support during hurricanes such as Ivan (2004) and Michael (2018).
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Expanding to Family Care: Over the decades, the hospital expanded from serving only active-duty personnel to caring for dependents and retirees, with a focus on family medicine and pediatrics.
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Innovative Telemedicine: The hospital has been a leader in implementing telemedicine programs, connecting specialists from across the Air Force network to patients at Eglin.
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Medical Readiness Training: It regularly hosts joint training exercises, preparing medics and providers for deployments to conflict zones and humanitarian missions worldwide.
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COVID-19 Response: In 2020, the hospital rapidly adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing drive-through testing sites and supporting vaccination efforts for the base and local community.
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Named for Heroes: In 1981, the hospital’s main building was dedicated to Colonel (Dr.) Archie R. Medlin, recognizing his distinguished service as a flight surgeon.
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Research and Innovation: The hospital collaborates with Eglin’s research labs to test and implement new medical technologies, including cold weather injury prevention and aerospace medicine advancements.
