NAS Pensacola reopens to public for first time in three years
The West Gate of Naval Air Station Pensacola opened to the public at 9 a.m. Wednesday for the first day of regular public access to the National Naval Aviation Museum and Pensacola Lighthouse for the first time in three years.
More than 1,400 people came out to the Blue Angels practice Wednesday morning at the museum, and hundreds filled the Blue Angels auditorium after the show for an autographing signing session by the Blues.
NAS Pensacola announced earlier this month that the Navy had approved a waiver restoring public access to the museum through the base's west gate on Blue Angel Parkway beginning on Wednesday.
Shortly after 9 a.m., a steady flow of visitors arrived at the museum, with most people heading to straight museum flight line to get a spot for the Blue Angels practice.
Though there were a few who took time to browse the museum's exhibits before the show.
Rebekah Mowers and her family, including four children ages 3 to 13 were among those walking the exhibits. Mowers said she was thrilled to be able to return to the museum with her family finally.
"It's hard to believe that it's been three years, but this had become such an integral part of our life," Mowers said. "We used to come here at least once a month. It was part of the way I taught my little ones about this type of history, especially military history."
Tampa Bay area resident Jim Stipanov brought his two sons Patrick, 18, and Philip, 12, to Pensacola to see the Blue Angels practice and were thrilled to learn the base was reopening to the public. They had originally planned to watch them from Fort Pickens before learning the base was reopening.
"It was total dumb luck," Stipanov said. "We didn't know the base was reopening."
Public access ended following the 2019 terrorist attack on the base. The waiver that allowed the base to have an exception to the access policy for Department of Defense installations expired following the attack.
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Civilians had to enter the base at the west gate off Blue Angel Parkway and show a REAL ID-compliant identification or a U.S. passport to be allowed on base.
The first day back seems to have gone smoothly with no reported issues though 230 people were turned away from the gate for not having REAL ID-compliant identification.
By 10:30 a.m., 1,400 people had arrived at the museum flight line despite the heat and the looming offshore thunderstorm.
National Naval Aviation Museum Director retired Navy Capt. Sterling Gilliam introduced NAS Pensacola base commander Capt. Terrence Shashaty.
"I guess I really only have one thing to say, welcome back," Shashaty said to the crowd.
After the show, hundreds of people stood in line to get autographs from members of the Blue Angels.
New Blue Angels pilot Lt. Amanda Lee had by far the longest line for autographs as many people wanted to meet the first female pilot of the Blue Angels to fly a F/A-18 Super Hornet.
Drew and Kreslyn Lehman and their 8-year-old daughter McKenna were among the first in line to get Lee's autograph.
"She was really nice," Kreslyn said. "(McKenna) being our only child and seeing a female (pilot), it's like girl empowerment."
She said she hopes their daughter walks away from the experience inspired.
"It was cool," McKenna said.
Blue Angels will continue to practice throughout the season and hold at least 10 more autograph sessions. A full schedule is available at pnj.com as well as the National Naval Aviation Museum's website.
The base will continue to be open daily to the general public at the west gate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day with these rules:
All guests 18 and older must provide a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or a passport to gain access.
All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
All vehicles entering the base may be subject to inspection.
The following restrictions apply to all visitors:
No weapons (firearms/knives) allowed (including concealed weapon permit holders).
No backpacks/coolers allowed (diaper bags or medically required bags are acceptable and subject to search).
No alcoholic beverages are allowed.
No drones are allowed (countermeasures will be taken).
Persons with felony convictions are not authorized base access.
All vehicles and personnel are subject to security searches and background checks.
No visitors with boats or boat trailers.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: NAS Pensacola reopens to public for first time in three years
