06/11/2026
EGLIN TRESPASSING: People who trespass on the Santa Rosa Island Closed Test Area or enter restricted coastal waterways without a permit face monetary fines or criminal prosecution, base officials said.
From Jan. 1 to April 23, there were 33 trespassing cases on the closed test area, resulting in $3,915 in fines, according to the 96th Test Wing. That figure is slightly more than half of the 65 cases reported in all of 2025, and officials said the numbers are increasing despite red “closed area” signs marking the no-trespass zones.
“People trespassing to access secluded beaches are putting themselves at risk because hazardous test activities occur there almost daily,” said Lt. Col. Michael Bruton, 96th Security Forces Squadron commander. “Violators may also disrupt test operations, resulting in negative mission impacts.”
In addition to land-based trespassing, Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro, 96th Test Wing commander, restricted six waterways in 2025 in response to emerging air and waterborne threats.
Full story: https://getthecoast.com/trespassing-on-eglins-santa-rosa-island-test-area-climbs-in-2026-officials-warn-of-fines-and-charges/
