Eglin Air Force Base/Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) is located in Valparaiso/Destin-Fort Walton Beach in Florida, USA. The airport is owned and operated by the U.S. Air Force, and is the primary airfield for Eglin Air Force Base. It is also home to an auxiliary airfield, Duke Field, which is used as a support facility for Eglin Air Force Base.

The airport was originally established in 1942 as an auxiliary field for Eglin Air Force Base. It was originally called Eglin Field Auxiliary Field #3, or AAF#3, and was used to support the military operations at Eglin Air Force Base, which had been established in 1935. AAF#3 was renamed Duke Field in 1948 in honor of 2nd Lt. William W. Duke, Jr., who was killed in action during World War II.

In 1962, AAF#3 was renamed Eglin Air Force Base/Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport when the airport was opened for civilian use. The name was chosen to reflect the area’s close proximity to both Eglin Air Force Base and the nearby cities of Destin and Fort Walton Beach.

The airport’s three-letter code, VPS, was determined by the International Air Transport Association in 1962. The letters stand for Valparaiso/Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

Eglin Air Force Base/Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is the busiest airport in the Florida Panhandle and the third busiest in the state. It handles an average of about 180 flights per day, with most flights being domestic. The airport is served by a number of major airlines, including American, Delta, United and Southwest Airlines.

The airport is home to a number of military units, including the U.S. Air Force’s 33rd Fighter Wing, the U.S. Navy’s Training Squadron 86 and the U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21. The airport also serves as a training base for various military aircraft, including the F-15 Eagle, F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.

Eglin Air Force Base/Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is a vital part of the Florida Panhandle’s economy and transportation infrastructure. The airport is a major gateway to the region and provides an important link between the military and civilian communities.