10,000-Square-Foot Multi-Purpose, State-of-the-Art Facility is Free to Residents

HURLBURT FIELD, Okaloosa County, FLORIDA (May 20, 2022) —The new Air Commando Community Center at Hurlburt Field is officially open. The Center is in the heart of the Pine Shadows neighborhood, which has been transformed to serve as the cornerstone of camaraderie and companionship for those who tirelessly defend our nation.

“Military families have the unique challenge of not just being uprooted every few years and having to make a new home at a new base, they also have the challenge that maybe their Service Member is being called out and is away for an extended period of time,” said Colonel Jocelyn Schermerhorn, Commander, 1st Special Operations Wing in her remarks. “It is great to know that we have such a good partnership with property management in Mayroad to take care of our families that are back here trying to keep things going while our military members are on the road. It is awesome to be able to call Hurlburt Field home, it’s even more awesome to have a Community Center like the Air Commando Community Center available to our families, so I thank everyone who had a role in putting this together.”

The facility is expected to be a popular year-round gathering place where residents can enjoy indoor and outdoor activities featuring amenities such as a beach entry swimming pool, a pavilion with a full outdoor kitchen, pickleball, basketball, and volleyball courts, and a playground. The Center also includes a gym, multi-purpose room, media area with computers, a fitness room with an attached playroom, and a Clubroom with an open kitchen.

“Our Mayroad team takes pride in the work we do to ensure our military members and their families have the quality of life they deserve,” said Heath Burleson, President and CEO of Mayroad. “The opening of the Air Commando Community Center is a reminder of the important role these facilities play in bringing communities together to support each other.”

The community center was named in honor of the AFSOC Air Commandos and is decorated in honor of the local history. General Henry H. (Hap) Arnold coined the term "Air Commando" in early 1944, referencing a group of Air Corps personnel established in India to support British long-range penetration forces in Burma. AFSOC continues the Air Commando legacy at Hurlburt Field by providing our Nation’s specialized airpower, capable across the spectrum of conflict.

The Air Commando Community Center at Hurlburt Field is the sixth community center built for the Air Force across Mayroad’s portfolio of six Air Force installations. The building will also serve as office space for housing personnel.

About Mayroad

Mayroad, an asset management company, is the owner and operator of the Air Force Continental Group as part of the U.S. Department of Defense Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI). Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., Mayroad’s Air Force portfolio includes more than 4,000 homes across six Air Force installations. Mayroad strives to create and foster long-term sustainable partnerships while ensuring the highest customer service and social responsibility. For more information, please visit www.themayroad.com.

Media Contact:

Kelly Douglas, kelly.douglas@themayroad.com, 910-824-4624