Eglin Air Force Base, FL (June 29, 2020) – The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (IFHF), and the 96th Medical Group today opened a new Intrepid Spirit Center that will diagnose and treat Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) in regional active duty service members at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The facility is the eighth center located at military bases around the country built by the IFHF, a not-for-profit organization and national leader in supporting the men and women of the U. S. Armed Forces and their families. Intrepid Spirit Centers currently operate at Fort Belvoir, VA; Camp Lejeune, NC; Fort Campbell, KY; Fort Hood, TX; Fort Bragg, NC; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA; and Camp Pendleton, CA. This is the first Intrepid Spirit Center at an Air Force base.
Eglin Air Force Base’s Intrepid Spirit Center cost approximately $11.2 million to construct and is equipped with the latest in brain technology and treatment facilities. The Center spans 25,000 square feet and funding for the project was raised privately through the IFHF.
“We are extremely proud to open our eighth Intrepid Spirit Center at Eglin Air Force Base, the first Intrepid Spirit Center at an Air Force Base,” said Arnold Fisher, Honorary Chairman of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. “Our military heroes who fight to protect our freedoms, deserve the best care available and being close to their family and having their support is imperative to the recovery process. We are now one step closer to completing our mission of building Intrepid Spirit Centers around the United States.”
Home to the 96th Test Wing, 33rd Fighter Wing, 53d Wing, Air Force Research Lab’s Munitions Directorate, Armament Directorate, 919th Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command, the U.S. Army’s 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 6th Ranger Training Battalion, and the U.S. Navy’s Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Eglin Air Force Base’s 96th Test Wing supports more than 18,682 active duty personnel, 1,416 reserve personnel as well as more than 92,000 military beneficiaries who reside near the base.
“As we transition the mission of the Invisible Wounds Center to the Intrepid Spirit Center, our current staff and patients will move to our beautiful new facility, one that provides significantly enhanced services. We will continue to provide comprehensive, holistic care to our current patients and accept new active duty Service Member referrals from the region. We are opening with limited capabilities due to the pandemic, adding telehealth solutions and awaiting return to full operating capability. With great anticipation and appreciation, we look forward to joining Mr. Arnold Fisher at our official grand opening, currently set for August 26,” said Dr. Thomas Piazza, Director, Eglin Invisible Wounds Center/Intrepid Spirit Center.
All Intrepid Spirit Centers are being funded and built by the IFHF through a $100 million fundraising campaign. Though the centers are being built exclusively through private donations, each center is gifted to the U.S. Department of Defense for operation and management upon completion. All of the centers are located at military bases around the country.
The design and mission of the Intrepid Spirit Centers are based on the original National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) which opened in 2010 at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. Operated by the DOD, NICoE is the most advanced facility of its kind in the country, and is the center of the Armed Forces’ efforts in researching, diagnosing and treating TBI, PTS and related injuries sustained by military personnel.
Posted on June 29 2020 in News