After three-and-a-half years of restricted entry, the Naval Air Station Pensacola will allow public access to the National Naval Aviation Museum. The museum will reopen to visitors beginning May 17 with previously scheduled visitation remaining Thursday through Sunday until the official opening date.
“After three-and-a-half years the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation couldn’t be more excited to welcome EVERYONE back to their National Naval Aviation Museum,” said Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, president and CEO of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. “We are excited to share the history and heritage of Naval Aviation with everyone and are thankful for the loyal support we’ve had along the way, which will soon culminate with our Grand Reopening.”
The NAS will allow access to the air station for all citizens or U.S. nationals 18 and over with a Real ID or passport. All visitors will be required to enter through the west gate on Blue Angel Parkway, following the rules and restrictions to enter the base.
The museum has over 150 aircraft to represent the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aviation. Aircraft like the North American B-25J Mitchell, an LTV A-7E Corsair II, a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina and an exhibit dedicated to the recovery of aircraft that crashed in Lake Michigan during WWII carrier qualification. Also included is a flight line behind the aircraft maintenance and restoration hangar, which is home to a Lockheed C-130 Hercules and some of the Navy’s early carrier-based nuclear bombers and Navy transport aircraft. With the opening, visitors can not only see these historic aircraft but get a chance to see the Blue Angels practice flight demonstrations, according to the AOPA.
The public has severely restricted access to the many spaces at the NAS, including National Naval Aviation Museum, the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum and Fort Barrancas. Access had been restricted since Dec. 6, 2019 when a terrorist opened fire at the air station, killing three men and injuring eight others.
Weekend access has been allowed for a short time to phase in the reopening, but the public has been pushing for a full re-opening for some time. For nearly two years, only Department of Defense ID cardholders and veterans with a Veterans Health Identification Card were allowed access. A petition was created to encourage the re-opening of the Museum to give youth and enthusiasts of all ages access to be inspired, learn new technology and engineering and potentially join the armed forces or a career in aviation. The petition resulted in over 20,000 signatures.
“The decision to allow public visitation to NAS Pensacola has been an ongoing effort, as you all know, for quite some time,” NAS Pensacola base commander Capt. Terrence Shashaty said to the Pensacola News Journal. “It’s been an ongoing effort requiring all levels of approval within the Navy to ensure that we have the proper safety security protocols in place.”
A lot of work was done to ensure reopening would secure the safety of the public. The Pensacola News Journal reported that Under Secretary of the Navy Erik Raven signed a waiver on Monday to allow U.S. citizens access to certain areas at NAS.
“The reason why that takes so long is it’s a process,” Shashaty said to the PNJ. “The previous exception of policy was allowed to expire. So we had to go through that whole process again to ensure our security protocols are what are required and needed to make sure the safety and security installation is in place.”
The reopening of the museum not only gives the public a chance to admire amazing aircraft and sneak a peek at the impressive Blue Angels, but is a symbol of overcoming tragedy and a return to normalcy. After the tragic shooting forced the shut down of the base for security measures, it is now open again to inspire and amaze, despite the terrible and deadly events that detracted the museum’s mission for over three years.
“We would like to give special recognition to the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy, for his assistance in getting public access back to Pensacola NAS,” Cozad said. “We also want to thank our local community and NNAM fans for their unwavering support of our museum.”
“We cannot express how grateful we are that EVERYONE has the opportunity to experience its magic and wonder, once again,” he said. “We hope to see you soon, so you can experience your BEST DAY EVER!”
Contact
Name: Haley Davoren
, Digital Content Manager
Company: GlobalAir.com
Website: https://globalair.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 502-456-3934
©2023 GlobalAir.com, Haley Davoren. All rights reserved.
Recent Comments