News

2nd Annual ODA-595 Horse Soldiers Reunion 2023

On October 21, 2023, the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2nd Annual ODA 595 Horse Soldiers Reunion at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds.

Below is a replay video of the event. If you have a Smart TV, search for and install the VidFlow app to watch this video on your big screen TV. This video player also also you to select chapter points to specific speakers and presentations.

(if you’re interested in checking out the Inaugural Reunion video from 2022, click here)


Eleven of the original 12 members of ODA 595 were in attendance for this inaugural reunion event.

Captain Mark Nutsch – Detachment Commander

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bob Pennington – Assistant Detachment Commander

Master Sergeant Paul Evans – Team and Operations Sergeant

Sergeant First Class Andy Marchal – Intelligence Sergeant

Sergeant First Class Steve Kofron.  – Weapons Sergeant

Staff Sergeant Mike Elmore – Weapons Sergeant

Staff Sergeant Chad Jacklet– Engineer Sergeant

Staff Sergeant Pete Walther – Engineer Sergeant

Sergeant First Class Steve Bleigh—Medical Sergeant

Sergeant First Class Vince Makela – Communications Sergeant

Staff Sergeant Will Summers– Communications Sergeant

Staff Sergeant USAF Steve E. Tomat – Tactical Air Control Party (TACP)


Ted Corcoran, CEO of the FWB Chamber, was Master of Ceremony. “This event is not merely an occasion. Ti’s a profound journey, a homage and a celebration of American tenacity and unity. Dive into history. Honor both Air Force and Army legends.”

The National Anthem was presented by Voices of Northwest Florida from Northwest Florida State College, Niceville, Florida

The Invocation was provided by Chaplain (Capt) Steven Richardson, USAF, from Hurlburt Field, Florida

The first guest speaker was Captain Joseph Mulholland, 7th Special Forces Group, Eglin AFB, Florida, who presented a statement from his father, Lt Gen John Mulholland (retired), a former Associate Director for Military Affairs at the CIA.

The second guest speaker was Col Kurt Buller, USAF (retired), a former Special Tactics Officer, who provided an insight into the operations in Afghanistan after 911.

The third guest speaker was Col Alison Black, USAF, Commander, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida, also know as the voice of the Angel of Death during the initial operations in Afghanistan.

The featured guest speaker was Lt General Marshall Brad Webb, USAF (retired), former Commander, USAF Special Operations Command

The final presentation was provided by Lt Col Rich Cole, USAF (retired), Former USAF Pilot, Son of Dolittle Raiders’ Lt Col Dick Cole. He provided some background and noted the similarities between the mission of ODA 595 and the Dolittle Raiders, as well as recognize several key personal from both operations who are no longer with us today.


In 2022, special commemorative canteen cup were created by the Bohlin Company and presented to each member of ODA 595 in honor and recognition of their heroic actions in America’s first response against the Taliban after the 911 attack.


A representative from each event sponsor was given the honor to present the personalized cup to each member of the ODA 595 Horse Soldier team.

If you are interested in learning more about ODA 595 as well as other stories about America’s 1st response to the 911 attacks, check out these sources:

First Casualty by Toby Harnden
First Casualty by Toby Harnden


Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton


Swords of Lightning – Green Beret Horse Soldiers and America’s Response to 911

12 Strong – The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers


2023 FWB Veterans Day Ceremony

Live from the American Legion Post 235 on Hollywood Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, Florida on November 11, 2023, 11AM.

The Veterans Tribute Tower Committee is pleased to host the traditional Veterans Day Ceremony. The guest speaker is Brigadier General Jeffrey T. Geraghty, Commander of Eglin AFB and the 96th Test Wing.

During this Veterans Day and joint Remembrance Day Recognition we will welcome the participation of British Royal Navy Commander Chris Wilcox, and members of his command and their families stationed at Eglin Air Force Base.

Over 1800 Veterans are laid to rest at Beal Memorial Cemetery and we thank the Cadets from Fort Walton Beach High School’s Air Force JrROTC for their support with color guard duties and for rendering military honors as they place flags on Veteran’s final resting places.

During the Ceremony we will recognize our Veterans and local POW, the late Brigadier General George E. Bud Day, as well as MIA, 1966 Choctaw Graduate, Special Forces Staff Sergeant, Fred Gassman. We will also remember the life and work of Tuskegee Airman, the late Chief Master Sergeant, Walt Richardson.

We will also welcome Mr. Reid Soria from Autism Sings with the National Anthem.

Students from Liza Jackson School for the Pledge of Allegiance, Gregg Chapel Pastor, the Reverend Cecil Williams, with the Invocation, and Salvation Army Officer, Lieutenant James Milner with the Benediction.

It will be our honor to recognize the newest member of the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame, Vietnam Navy Veteran and retired Air Force Colonel, former medical officer of the 919th Special Operation’s Wing, Dr. Gerald Hollingsworth. Dr. Hollingsworth has been selected by the Florida Governor and Cabinet and will be formally inducted on November 14th In Tallahassee, Florida.

Attendees will have the opportunity to place floral bouquets in the community wreath during the ceremony. As a reminder, reading of the names of the departed will be done during the Memorial Day Ceremony in 2024.

For more information, please contact Tom Rice at the Magnolia Grill, 850-302-0266.

Emerald Coast Volleyball Fall Classic 2023

Watch the live-stream videos from the 2023 Emerald Coast Volleyball Fall Classic, which takes place on the beach behind The Boardwalk, on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  These live-stream videos are on Courts 24 & 25 for either Open & A divisions or Men & Women’s Open. Most videos are filmed in dual court coverage, except for Sunday’s Men & Women’s 4-Player Finals, with the infamous Costume Contest between both matches.

Every year the Emerald Coast of Florida hosts two premiere volleyball events, the Emerald Coast Volleyball Week and the Emerald Coast Fall Classic that take place on the beautiful beaches of Okaloosa Island, Florida. These week-long events feature a multitude of volleyball activities, including bringing your own doubles, co-ed doubles, king/queen of the beach, and the famous Fudpucker 4 Player beach volleyball tournament. To learn more or to participate, visit www.EmeraldCoastVolleyball.com


Sunday, October 22, 2023 – Fudpucker Men & Women’s 4-Player Tournament – Playoffs, Finals & Costume Contest

Finals & Costume Contest

Playoff & Semi-finals


Saturday, October 21, 2023 – Fudpucker Men & Women’s 4-Player Tournament – Pools

Afternoon


Morning


Friday, October 20, 2023 – Fudpucker Coed 4-Player Tournament

Playoffs & Finals – Open & A Division

Pools – Open & A Division


Thursday, October 19, 2023 – Men & Women Doubles Tournament

Playoffs & Finals

Pools


Wednesday, October 18, 2023 – Coed Doubles Tournament

Playoffs & Finals

Pools – Open & A Divisions



Brooks Bridge Groundbreaking Ceremony – August 23, 2023

The Florida Department of Transportation held a groundbreaking ceremony on August 23, 2023 for the official start of construction of the new Brooks Bridge replacement project in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.


Speaking at this ceremony were:

Tim Smith
Tim Smith:
Director – Florida Department of Transportation, District 3

Jared Perdue
Jared Perdue:
Secretary – Florida Department of Transportation, District 3

Doug Broxson
Doug Broxson:
Florida State Senator, District 1


Post ceremony interviews with:

Mel Ponders
Okaloosa County Commissioner, District 5

Carolyn Ketchel
Okaloosa County Commissioner, District 2


Here are some facts about this project:

Project facts and statistics

  • Construction cost: $171 million
  • Start: Design began in July 2022
  • Est. Completion: Summer 2027 Preliminary construction activities began in fall of 2022.
  • Contract term: 1,856 days
  • Bridge length: The new bridge is 2,111 feet long, which is 793 feet longer than the current structure.
  • Bridge height: Horizontal clearance at the channel will increase from 140 to 150 feet.
  • Traffic count: 66,000 average annual daily traffic count

Project team

  • Project owner: Florida Department of Transportation (FOOT) District Three.
  • Design-build contractor: Superior Construction Co. is the design-build contractor.
  • Design services are provided by WSP.
  • CEI consultant: Eisman & Russo, Inc. is providing construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services on behalf of the Florida Department of Transportation (FOOT) District Three. They are assisted by Searight Group and Metric.

Project description

This project will construct a new, six-lane bridge across the Santa Rosa Sound to connect Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island. The design calls for two, parallel structures that will feature a total of six travel lanes (three eastbound and three westbound). Both bridge structures will provide three, 11-foot travel lanes flanked by 10-foot shoulders. In addition, both sides of the bridge will be equipped with a 12-foot multi-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Rationale for replacing the current bridge

The current Brooks Bridge was constructed in 1966 and no longer meets current design standards, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, or navigational clearance requirements for this portion of the Gulf lntracoastal Waterway. Additionally, U.S. 98 is the primary east-west connector serving this busy corridor. This project will increase bridge capacity from four to six travel lanes. The new bridge will also include wide shoulders that can be used as refuge lanes during accidents or mechanical malfunctions, and enhanced bicycle and pedestrian accommodations separated from traffic by a concrete barrier.

Bridge history The John T. Brooks Bridge has been a landmark in the city of Fort Walton Beach for more than seven decades. The bridge is named in honor of John Thomas Brooks, who became the first settler in the area around 1868. In 1935, the bridge was a two-lane, low-level structure that featured a “swinging center span” that required a bridge tender to tum the span sideways so that tall watercraft could pass beneath. Over time, the two-lane swing bridge proved deficient to meet the growing transportation demands of the area. In 1966, today’s four-lane Brooks Bridge opened to traffic.

Regional economic impact The $171 million Brooks Bridge replacement project represents a tremendous investment by the State of Florida into the regional economy. The design-build contractor, Superior Construction, estimates they will directly employ more than 100 workers to construct the new bridge.

Traffic impacts U.S. 98 will continue to accommodate two eastbound and two westbound travel lanes throughout construction of the new Brooks Bridge. Required temporary lane closures on U.S. 98 will be limited to the nighttime hours of 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. Also, no lane closures or other traffic impacts will be allowed during holidays or special events.

Construction phases First, crews will construct the new westbound structure, during which time, four lanes (two eastbound and two westbound) will remain open on the current Brooks Bridge. Once the westbound structure is complete, all four-travel lanes will be temporarily shifted from the existing bridge to the new westbound structure. This will allow crews to demolish the existing bridge and build the new eastbound structure. The final phase will place the eastbound traffic onto the eastbound bridge. The final configuration will include three eastbound travel lanes and three westbound travel lane.

Project updates and information We share project updates, construction progress, and traffic advisory information on the @MyBrooksBridge Facebook page and Instagram page. You can also sign up to receive periodic email updates, including weekly traffic advisory information, at: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/PNeWTw3/MyBrooksBridge

2023 Commencement Ceremony at Northwest Florida State College

Watch the live stream of the Northwest Florida State College 2023 Commencement Ceremony from Raiders Arena on May 6, 2023.

10AM Ceremony for the presentation of the following: Certificate, AAS, AS, and Bachelor’s Degree Graduates

2PM Ceremony for the presentation of Associate of Arts (AA)

Inaugural ODA 595 Horse Soldiers Reunion 2022

On October 22, 2022, the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce hosted the Inaugural ODA 595 Horse Soldiers Reunion at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds.  Ted Corcoran, CEO of the FWB Chamber, was Master of Ceremony.

Below is a replay video of the event. If you have a Smart TV, search for and install the VidFlow app to watch this video on your big screen TV. This video player also also you to select chapter points to specific speakers and presentations.


Ten of the original 12 members of ODA 595 were in attendance for this inaugural reunion event.

Captain Mark Nutsch – Detachment Commander

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bob Pennington – Assistant Detachment Commander

Master Sergeant Paul Evans – Team and Operations Sergeant

Sergeant First Class Andy Marchal – Intelligence Sergeant

Sergeant First Class Steve Kofron.  – Weapons Sergeant

Staff Sergeant Mike Elmore – Weapons Sergeant

Staff Sergeant Chad Jacklet– Engineer Sergeant

Sergeant First Class Steve Bleigh—Medical Sergeant

Sergeant First Class Vince Makela – Communications Sergeant

Staff Sergeant Will Summers– Communications Sergeant

Not in Attendance:

  • Staff Sergeant USAF Steve E. Tomat – Tactical Air Control Party (TACP)
  • Staff Sergeant USAF Joseph Matt Lienhard– Air Force Special Operations Combat Controller from Special Tactics Squadron

Several prominent guest speakers included Florida House District #4 representative Patt Maney, former CIA Directorate of Operations officer Alex Hernandez, former USAF Chief of Staff for a Theater Special, retired Col Glenn Thomas, and the son of Doolittle Raiders Col Dick Cole, Richard Cole.

   

A special commemorative canteen cup was created by the Bohlin Company and presented to each member of ODA 595 in honor and recognition of their heroic actions in America’s first response against the Taliban after the 911 attack.


This event was made possible through the support of several local community sponsors.

If you are interested in learning more about ODA 595 as well as other stories about America’s 1st response to the 911 attacks, check out these sources:

First Casualty by Toby Harnden
First Casualty by Toby Harnden


Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton


Swords of Lightning – Green Beret Horse Soldiers and America’s Response to 911

12 Strong – The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers


2023 FCSAA/NJCAA Region VIII Basketball Championships

Watch the LIVE STREAM of the 2023 FCSAA/NJCAA Region VIII Tournament at the Northwest Florida State College as the top Men’s and Women’s basketball teams from across the state of Florida battle it out to determine who will go the the 2023 NJCAA National Championships.

Scroll down below to find the specific game dates or use the links below:

Women’s Playoff Games – March 8, 2023
Game #1 – #2 Northwest Florida vs #7 Chipola – 1pm CDT / 2pm EDT
Game #2 – #3 Gulf Coast vs #6 Florida Southwestern – 3pm CDT / 4pm EDT
Game #3 – #1 Eastern Florida vs #8 Sante Fe – 6pm CDT / 7pm EDT
Game #4 – #4 Indian River vs #5 St. Petersburg – 8pm CDT / 9pm EDT

Men’s Playoff Games – March 9, 2023
Game #1 – #2 Daytona State vs #7 Eastern Florida – 1pm CDT / 2pm EDT
Game #2 – #3 Tallahassee vs Florida Southwestern – 3pm CDT / 4pm EDT
Game #3 – #1 Chipola vs #8 Miami Dade – 6pm CDT / 7pm EDT
Game #4 – #4 Northwest Florida vs Indian River – 8pm CDT / 9pm EDT

Women’s Semi-Final Games – March 10, 2023
Game #5 – Northwest Florida vs Florida Southwestern – 1pm CDT / 2pm EDT
Game #6 – Eastern Florida vs Indian River – 3pm CDT / 4pm EDT

Men’s Semi-Final Games – March 10, 2023
Game #5 – Eastern Florida vs Tallahassee – 6pm CDT / 7pm EDT
Game #6 – Chipola vs Northwest Florida – 8pm CDT / 9pm EDT

Championship Games – March 11, 2023
Women’s Championship Game – Winner of Game #5 vs Winner of Game #6- 5pm CDT / 6pm EDT
Men’s Championship Game – Winner of Game #5 vs Winner of Game #6- – 7:30pm CDT / 8:30pm EDT


Women’s Playoff Games – March 8, 2023

Game #1 – #2 Northwest Florida vs #7 Chipola – 1pm CDT / 2pm EDT

Game #2 – #3 Gulf Coast vs #6 Florida Southwestern – 3pm CDT / 4pm EDT

Game #3 – #1 Eastern Florida vs #8 Sante Fe – 6pm CDT / 7pm EDT

Game #4 – #4 Indian River vs #5 St. Petersburg – 8pm CDT / 9pm EDT


Men’s Playoff Games – March 9, 2023

Game #1 – #2 Daytona State vs #7 Eastern Florida – 1pm CDT / 2pm EDT

Game #2 – #3 Tallahassee vs Florida Southwestern – 3pm CDT / 4pm EDT

Game #3 – #1 Chipola vs #8 Miami Dade – 6pm CDT / 7pm EDT

Game #4 – #4 Northwest Florida vs Indian River – 8pm CDT / 9pm EDT


Women’s Semi-Final Games – March 10, 2023

Game #5 – Northwest Florida vs Florida Southwestern – 1pm CDT / 2pm EDT

Game #6 – Eastern Florida vs Indian River – 3pm CDT / 4pm EDT


Men’s Semi-Final Games – March 10, 2023

Game #5 – Eastern Florida vs Tallahassee – 6pm CDT / 7pm EDT

Game #6 – Chipola vs Northwest Florida – 8pm CDT / 9pm EDT


Championship Games – March 11, 2023

Women’s Championship Game – Winner of Game #5 vs Winner of Game #6- 5pm CDT / 6pm EDT

Men’s Championship Game – Winner of Game #5 vs Winner of Game #6- – 7:30pm CDT / 8:30pm EDT


If you have an event you would like to be available for online viewing, contact Emerald Coast TV at 850-244-7100.

Meet the FWB Council Candidates 2023

Meet the 13 candidates who are running for the 4 open seat on the Fort Walton Beach City Council. The LIVE STREAM is on March 1, 2023 – 6:30pm CT from The Venue at 109 SE Brooks Street, Downtown Fort Walton Beach. Florida. Each candidate will get 3 minutes to introduce themselves and their platform, then Mike Minich will ask each candidate a tough question in relation to improve the community of Fort Walton Beach, FL.  The candidates will also be available for meet & greet before and after the event.

NWFSC Raiders Basketball 2023 – Panhandle Conference

The LIVE STREAM for the 2023 NWFSC Raiders home games for the Panhandle Conference can be seen here: https://nwfraiders.com/multimedia/WATCH_LIVE

USAF 75th Community Celebration – “The Story Behind the Story” – Eglin AFB & Hurlburt Field

Check out “The Story Behind the Story” event video for the 75th USAF Anniversary Community Celebration, which took place on September 13, 2022 at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Florida. This event celebrates the USAF military operations that were supported by both Eglin Air Force base and the Special Operations units of Hurlburt Field. Hosted by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, this event provides two panels of service men & women who participated in several notable USAF operations, including operations in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Iran, Afghanistan, and the Obama Bin Laden Raid.

* Chapter points can easily be selected by watching this video directly on YouTube

00:00 Opening Video – USAF Aircraft Fly-bys
02:09 Official Welcome – Ted Corcoran
02:45 Posting of the Colors
03:33 National Anthem
05:35 Invocation
06:58 Event Overview
08:34 Introduction of Dale Dye
10:43 Dale Dye Movie Compilation Video
13:56 Eglin AFB Background History
14:51 Dr Devin Stephenson Introduction
17:35 Florida Representative Patt Maney Introduction
21:44 Recognition Distinguished Guests
23:01 JCOS Senior Enlisted Advisor Ramon Colon-Lopez Introduction
25:32 Recognition of Notable Local Veterans
26:57 Ted Introduces 1st Panel
30:13 Cindy Cole Chal (Doolittle Raiders)
48:29 Dale Dye Stories (Korean War)
1:13:05 Col Howard Hill (Vietnam War)
1:24:54 Col Larry Ropka (Sun Tay Raid)
1:38:17 Col Bill Keeler (Vietnam Refugees)
1:47:34 Sponsors Recognition & Jerry Williams EFCU
1:51:54 Introduction of 2nd Panel of Speakers
1:52:36 CMSgt Bill Walter – Operation Eagle Claw (Iran Hostage Rescue)
2:00:42 Lt Col Kirby Locklear – Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada)
2:08:35 Lt Col Corby Martin – Operation Desert Storm (Iraq)
2:19:06 Lt Col Allison Black – Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)
2:27:24 The “MOAB” Story (Bill Walter)
2:29:05 Task Force Dagger & ODA 595 Horse Soldiers Event
2:30:49 Lt Gen Marshal “Brad” Webb – (Bin Laden Raid)
2:41:33 The Voices of NWFSC – America the Beautiful
2:47:02 The Air Force Song Sing-Along

EMCEE
– Ted Corcoran, CEO – Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce

SPONSORS
– Eglin Federal Credit Union
– The Boeing Company
– Northwest Florida State College
– Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce

THANKS TO
– Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce Staff: Seth Luttrell, Rachelle Graves, Dayna Stinebiser, Chrissy Flanigan, Debbie Dodge
– Mattie Kelly Arts Center Staff and Volunteers
– The Voices of Northwest Florida State College
– Air Force Public Affairs/Historians: Dawn Hart, Amy Nicholson, Shelby Pritchett, Jasmine Porterfield, Alan Landers

SCRIPT
– Bill Walters

LODGINGS
– The Island Resort;
– Holiday Inn Resort-Fort Walton Beach
– Hilton Garden Inn Fort Walton Beach

PROMOTION
– Frances Roy Agency

VIDEO PRODUCTION
– RJ Murdock, Emerald Coast TV

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