About this Unit
The 96th Civil Engineer Squadron (96th CES) is a United States Air Force unit stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Originally activated to support the base's expanding mission, the squadron has provided critical engineering, emergency management, and installation support since its inception. Over the years, the 96th CES has played a vital role in maintaining and improving Eglin’s infrastructure, enabling both test and operational missions. The squadron's efforts have included rapid response to natural disasters, environmental stewardship, and innovative construction projects, ensuring the base remains mission-ready for current and future operations.
Historical Facts
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Origins: The 96th Civil Engineer Squadron is based at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and traces its roots back to the early days of the U.S. Army Air Forces, with a proud engineering lineage supporting air operations since World War II.
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Base Support: The squadron is instrumental in maintaining Eglin AFB, one of the largest Air Force bases in the world, responsible for over 700 buildings, numerous test ranges, and thousands of acres of facilities.
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Mission Scope: Their duties go beyond construction—they handle emergency response, fire protection, disaster recovery, environmental management, and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD).
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Hurricane Response: The squadron played a key role in rapid response and recovery efforts after devastating hurricanes such as Ivan (2004) and Michael (2018), ensuring the base's mission readiness.
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Environmental Stewardship: The 96th CES manages environmental programs that protect endangered species and critical habitats on Eglin, including the red-cockaded woodpecker and unique coastal dune systems.
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Firefighting Excellence: Their firefighters routinely train for and respond to aircraft crashes, wildfires, and hazardous material incidents, both on-base and in support of the local community.
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Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD): The squadron’s EOD teams handle live munitions, support test operations, and deploy worldwide to neutralize unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices.
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Energy Innovations: The squadron pioneers energy efficiency projects, from solar power installations to advanced HVAC systems, supporting the Air Force’s sustainability goals and saving millions in costs.
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Community Support: The 96th CES regularly assists local authorities with disaster relief, technical expertise, and infrastructure repairs, fostering strong civil-military partnerships.
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Awards and Recognition: The squadron has earned multiple Air Force-level awards for outstanding performance, including recognition for best civil engineer squadron and best fire department in the Air Force.
