Story by JEFFREY POWELL
Active duty military members, as well as retired individuals and their families, have a huge impact on the area in which we live and work. With several bases within easy driving distance of Walton County the economic boost of these personnel should not be underestimated. In 2011, the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) moved to it new location south of Crestview adding to the already growing military presence in the area. On Wednesday, March 11, the DeFuniak Springs Rotary Club was visited by a representative of this organization and briefed about its mission and current events important to “The Red Empire,” as the 7th calls itself.
“Let me start off today by offering up all of our thought and prayer to those killed in the recent helicopter crash near Navarre,” said Community, Public and Media Relations Officer Capt. Thomas J. Cieslak. “Troops from our organization could easily have been in the same situation. Thank you for having me here and joining in honoring these soldiers.”
Since opening in 2011 the organization’s troop strength has grown to approximately 3,000 since consolidating several previous bases. The population of the group may grow slightly in the coming years and the compound itself has grown significantly since 2011. The compound now has a new chapel and medical facilities onsite.
According to Cieslak one of the greatest improvements over other locations is having their training facilities in their own “backyard.” At previous locations troops were forced to travel 30 minutes to train. Here their training grounds are directly adjacent to their compound.
Seventh Special Forces personnel are currently deployed in South America and Afghanistan. Not only are those troops in combat positions but they also train friendly forces. Recently Honduran troops visited the 7th and received training in counter-narcotics intervention and human trafficking.
“We have had a very smooth integration into the community here in Florida and it is wonderful to be here,” said Cieslak. “This is the best military community I have been in. This has been everything we could have asked for. We thank the community for welcoming us.”
On May 5, the 7th group is holding an open house and the public is invited. Many displays and a military freefall team are slated to be involved.
“Having retired from the military myself I realize that this community is the most receptive to military personnel I have known,” said Rotary President Chuck Lawson. “The area is proud to have the 7th here and we are glad they are putting down new roots.”
