NAS PENSACOLA

• NAS Pensacola is known as "The Cradle of Naval Aviation" and is the oldest naval air station in the United States. • The base was established in 1914 and has played a key role in the development of naval aviation throughout its history. • NAS Pensacola was the site of the first successful carrier takeoff and landing in 1915, demonstrating the viability of naval aviation. • During World War II, NAS Pensacola trained over 1,100 Navy and Marine Corps pilots every month, making it a vital training center for the war effort. • In 2019, NAS Pensacola was the target of a terrorist attack when a Saudi military student opened fire on the base, killing three sailors and injuring eight others. • The base is home to the National Naval Aviation Museum, one of the largest aviation museums in the world, which showcases over 150 restored aircraft. • NAS Pensacola was heavily damaged by Hurricane Michael in 2018, causing millions of dollars in damages and prompting a massive recovery effort. • The Blue Angels, the Navy's flight demonstration squadron, are based at NAS Pensacola and perform regularly at air shows around the country. • In 1862, the Pensacola Navy Yard was established in the area that would later become NAS Pensacola, making it one of the oldest naval establishments in the United States. • NAS Pensacola has been designated a National Historic Landmark due to its significant contributions to naval aviation history.