On Monday, right before the start of the Final Goblet ceremony honoring the Doolittle Raiders, I was granted an exclusive interview with Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and General CQ Brown, Jr., Chief of Staff of the Air Force. 

• In this joint interview honoring the Doolittle Raiders and 75th Anniversary of the Air Force, they both discuss Okaloosa County’s support and commitment to military members and their families.

“This is just a terrific opportunity to celebrate a very heroic event and some people who really gave everything they could to defend their country,” said Secretary Kendall. “It was a leadership role that set the stage for the rest of what followed through World War II and beyond.”

According to Gen. Brown, what the Doolittle Raiders were able to do during that timeframe, they set the stage for the airmen that the Air Force has today.

Talking about the support from the county, Sec. Kendall says that this is a community that really supports the Airmen.

“We we have a great legacy with 75 years as an Air Force, but long before that it was the Army Air Corps.,” he said. “The Doolittle Raiders were part of that. It’s all part of a great history and great legacy, and the county is very much a part of that.” 

Gen. Brown echoed that sentiment and said that while he was not stationed here at Eglin Air Force Base, he has flown out of Eglin, Hurlburt and Tyndall, which allowed him to see “great support” from the community.

“I think about our civic leaders and the communities,” said Gen. Brown. “I think about the support of some key areas that are very important to our Air Force families, whether it be childcare, education, healthcare and spouse employment. We couldn’t ask for better support from not only here on the Emerald Coast, but really all across the nation and how they support our Airmen and our families.”

When asked how Okaloosa County could provide even better support, Gen. Brown said:

“It’s getting to know our Airmen and families and really welcoming them in to the community that is so important,” he said. “When our Airmen move around the country, and around the world, they’re always looking for a friendly face and we really appreciate the friendly faces we see in Okaloosa county.”