Tyndall members take advantage of coastal waters Published Sept. 7, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Christopher Reel 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Take a second and imagine swimming side-by-side with a giant loggerhead sea turtle, or taking a swim surrounded by tropical fish in their home environment around coral reefs. Unless you are at an aquarium, the possibility of having such an experience is unlikely. But, complete a dive certification and the possibilities are endless, especially off the shores of Tyndall. Many Tyndall members have been taking advantage of the area's local waterways and diving together in a club known as the Tyndall Dive Flight for more than 20 years. Anyone with a valid Defense Department identification card (active duty, Guard, Reserve, dependents, GS-employees, etc.) can join the diving club for a fee of $5 per month. Dive certifications cost approximately $300 and are good for life. The fees normally include two open water dives, which cost approximately $80. There are many local agencies in town that provide the certification course. The Tyndall Dive Flight holds their meetings on the third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Tyndall Marina. Anyone interested in the club can attend. The club has several certified and trained members: retirees, colonels, and Airmen, who are all willing to help new divers. With their years of experience, they provide advice for new divers, different diving techniques for experienced divers, and information on different locations for diving in the area. "The members of the Tyndall Dive Flight are so kind and knowledgeable," said Leigh Anne Pattenaude, Tyndall Dive Flight member. "As a new diver, the members of this club have taught me so much and have never made me feel embarrassed when I needed help. That means a lot to me, because diving can be an intimidating activity." "The dive club provides a social environment for dive members to dive together and learn from each others' experience," said Bob Stapleton, a retired major and dive club member. Mr. Stapleton has been diving at Tyndall for more than 20 years. He initially began diving when his wife suggested they take the certification course together. "I enjoy diving off the shores of Panama City and Tyndall," Mr. Stapleton said. "The waters have great visibility for seeing wildlife and salvaged wreck sites." Members from the dive club take turns using each others' boats to cut costs from having to use charters downtown. The dive flight also maintains and operates their own certified air-compressor and members can refill their tanks for free. "Scuba diving is an amazing sport, and I have learned a lot since joining the club," said Staff Sgt. William Aulbach, 325th Communications Squadron client systems technician and Tyndall Dive Flight member. "There are dozens of facets for diving, such as photography, film, site-seeing, spear fishing and underwater salvage." The waters off the Florida Panhandle along with the Panhandle's freshwater springs are prime locations for scuba diving. "Panama City and Mexico Beach have one of the most extensive man-made reef programs of anywhere in the world dating back more than 50 years," said Sergeant Aulbach. "We dive to everything from more than 400-foot-long ships, airplanes, and hovercrafts to Army tanks. We also dive underold Hathaway Bridge sections." During their dives, members witness Mother Earth at her finest, seeing sea turtles, an array of fish, eels, dolphins, and crustaceans. "For those who are fearful of sharks, diving is the only way to cure that fear," Sergeant Aulbach said. "The Tyndall Dive Flight doesn't swim from sharks; we swim to them with our cameras out, hoping to get that one picture that will win at our annual banquet's 'Photo of the Year' contest to have bragging rights for the following year." For more information about the Tyndall Dive Flight visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/tyndalldiveflight.