Intrepid Spirit Center opens at Eglin AFB

  • Published
  • By Ilka Cole
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) --  The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund kicked off its Eglin Heroes Week virtual event to celebrate the official opening of the Intrepid Spirit Center, Aug. 24.

Eglin Air Force Base’s ISC, the first on an Air Force base, is a treatment center dedicated to post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, associated pain conditions and psychological injuries in active-duty service members.

The event began with a ribbon-cutting with Brig. Gen. Scott Cain, 96th Test Wing commander and Eglin AFB leaders cutting a red, white and blue ribbon.

Cain said the ISC effort took years of vision led by patriotic citizens, military leaders and the Air Force’s Invisible Wounds Initiative.

“I want to tell everybody how proud I am for Eglin AFB to host the Air Force’s first ISC. This culmination and capability is what we are celebrating here today and rolling out for our service members,” Cain said.

The EISC represents the blending of the IFHF mission and the Air Force’s Invisible Wounds Initiative, which recognized the need for a medical facility dedicated to invisible wounds.

In 2018, when the Air Force broke ground on the Invisible Wounds Center, Arnold Fisher, honorary chairman of the IFHF, offered to build an Intrepid Spirit Center at Eglin AFB.

“The ISC is our commitment to treating those with wounds from service and our dedication to providing service members the opportunity to continue their service to the nation,” Cain said.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. provided virtual remarks on the milestone moment and acknowledged that invisible wounds take a toll on our Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Space Professionals and their families.

“When they are injured in the line of duty, we will support their medical needs and we will see them to a better tomorrow,” Brown said. “The ISC building will bring first-class care and is an enduring expression of our gratitude, love and commitment to taking care of our wounded warriors.”

Throughout the week, virtual videos appeared on IFHF social media highlighting the new facility, the therapists, its state-of-art capabilities and Eglin AFB heroes with a connection to the ISC.

Eglin AFB’s ISC is unique from other ISCs in that it’s the only center with an interventional pain suite which contains top-of-the-line x-ray and ultrasound equipment, as well as dedicated interventional pain physician and team. In addition, Eglin AFB is also the first ISC to use a kiln for art therapy and the first to have a dedicated chapel and chaplain to address spiritual healing.

Brown closed his remarks speaking directly to the service members who will use these facilities.

“The permanent nature of this facility represents our unyielding commitment to providing world class medical care to you and that we’re here for you for as long as it takes,” Brown said.