Pensacola (NAS(F.Sherman Field))

• Official Website: NAS Pensacola
• Base Phone (Directory Assistance): +1 (850) 452-5990
• Base Address: 150 Hase Road, Pensacola, FL 32508, USA
• Visitor Control Center (VCC): +1 (850) 452-4153 (information on passes and access rules for tourists)
• Email (Public Affairs Office): pensacolapao@gmail.com
• Social Media:
  • Facebook: Naval Air Station Pensacola
  • X (Twitter): @NASPCOLA
• Lost and Found Information: As this is a military facility without a civil terminal, regarding found items, please contact the Quarterdeck at +1 (850) 452-4785.
• 24-Hour Support (Base Duty Officer): +1 (850) 452-4785

It is important to remember that Pensacola NAS is a closed military facility, so standard passenger planes do not fly here. Tourists wishing to visit the famous National Naval Aviation Museum or see the lighthouse usually fly into nearby civil airports and then travel to the base by land. When planning your trip, you must take the strict access control rules into account.

For most travellers, the main point of arrival is Pensacola International Airport (PNS). It is located just 18-20 km from the base. The drive from the terminal to the base's guest gates usually takes about 30–40 minutes depending on traffic.

If tickets to Pensacola are sold out, you may consider alternative options in neighbouring cities:

• Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport (about 1.5 hours drive).
• Mobile Downtown Airport or the main regional Mobile Regional Airport (about 1 hour 15 minutes away).
• Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (approximately 2.5 hours drive).

Car and Entry Rules

The most convenient and often the only reliable way to enter the territory is by private or rented car. You can rent a car directly in the arrival area of any of the airports listed above. The cost of renting a standard sedan in Florida starts from $40–50 per day.

Attention: Civilians (tourists without a military ID) must usually enter through the West Gate, located at the southern end of Blue Angel Parkway. At the checkpoint, you will need to present identification (passport or driving licence compliant with REAL ID requirements). The driver is required to have a valid driving licence, insurance, and vehicle registration documents.

Taxi and Transfer (Uber / Lyft)

There is an important nuance regarding taxi and ridesharing services (Uber, Lyft). Most drivers do not have the right to enter the base territory. This means the taxi can only take you as far as the gate. The distance from the gate to the museum or lighthouse is several kilometres, and pedestrian movement there may be difficult or prohibited. Therefore, using a taxi is recommended only if you know for certain that the driver has a military pass (which is rare), or if someone with a car is meeting you on the base.

Public Transport

The ECAT bus network operates in Escambia County. Route No. 58 serves areas adjacent to the base (such as Navy Point), but public buses generally do not enter the secured perimeter to the tourist sites. For the average tourist, this option is extremely inconvenient and is practically not used for visiting the museum.

Parking

For those who have passed the check and entered the base territory, large free car parks are provided at the National Naval Aviation Museum and the Pensacola Lighthouse. There is ample space even for RVs and tourist buses.

Since Pensacola NAS (NPA) is an active military airfield and not a civil airport, its structure differs radically from familiar passenger hubs. You will not find terminals with boarding gates, Duty Free zones, or baggage claim belts here. All infrastructure is subordinated to strict military tasks and ensuring the flight safety of the US Navy.

Structure and Zoning

The airfield territory can be conditionally divided into two main zones of fundamental importance to the visitor:

• Operational Zone (Restricted Area): This includes the runways, taxiways, and military equipment maintenance hangars. Access here is strictly prohibited for civilians. This is precisely where the F/A-18 aircraft of the Blue Angels flight demonstration team are based.
• Tourist Zone (Public Access Area): The part of the base open for visits (subject to entry rules). It includes the National Naval Aviation Museum, the lighthouse, and designated viewing areas for air shows.

Instead of a passenger terminal, the National Naval Aviation Museum serves as the "main building" for tourists. It is a huge complex of interconnected hangars where historic aircraft are exhibited. Inside the museum, there is signage, a café, and a souvenir shop, resembling the infrastructure of a good airport, but without the flights.

Navigation and Movement Features

Movement between objects on the base territory (for example, from the museum to the lighthouse) is carried out only by car. Walking along the roads inside the base is often restricted or prohibited for safety reasons.

Navigation on the base is quite simple but requires attention:

• After passing through the checkpoint (usually West Gate), follow the clear signs to the Naval Aviation Museum or Lighthouse.
• Important: Never turn onto roads marked with signs such as Restricted Area, Authorized Personnel Only, or Do Not Enter. This may lead to detention by military police.
• Car parks are located directly next to the attractions.

"Check-in" and Screening Procedures

Although there is no flight check-in here, every visitor undergoes a strict control procedure, which replaces the pre-flight security check at civil airports. This procedure takes place at the base entry gates (checkpoint).

Time for Formalities:

• Ordinary Day: Document checks at the checkpoint take 1–5 minutes per car if there is no queue.
• Blue Angels Practice Days: On flight days (usually Tuesday and Wednesday during the season), entry queues can stretch for kilometres. It is recommended to arrive at least 1–1.5 hours before the start of the show to have time to pass the inspection and find parking.

Screening Process Details:

Guards at the gates have the right to ask you to open the boot, doors, or bonnet of the vehicle. All passengers in the car must have identification documents with them. Firearms, drones, alcohol, and narcotic substances are categorically prohibited from being brought into the base territory.

Recommendations for Visitors

For a comfortable visit, treat the trip to Pensacola NAS airfield as a visit to a large open-air museum with a pass control regime. Prepare documents for all passengers in advance (so as not to delay the queue at the checkpoint) and download an offline map of the area, as mobile coverage in some sections of the military base may be jammed or work unsteadily.

The history of NAS Pensacola is, in essence, the history of US Naval Aviation. The airfield where the best pilots train today has gone from an abandoned shipyard to a high-tech aviation complex that has trained not only military pilots but also pioneers of space.

Birth of a Legend (1914)

Although the territory had been used as a navy yard since 1826, aviation history here began on 20 January 1914. It was then that the first detachment of pilots and mechanics arrived, establishing the country's first Naval Air Station. At that time, aviation was a dangerous and experimental endeavour, and flights were made on fragile biplanes taking off directly from the water surface in Pensacola Bay.

Era of World Wars and Expansion

During the First World War, the base became the first and only training centre for naval aviators in the USA. But the real boom in development occurred during the Second World War. Pensacola turned into the "Annapolis of the Air" (analogous to the prestigious Naval Academy). To cope with the huge flow of cadets, the airfield was significantly expanded by building additional auxiliary fields in the vicinity. In the 1940s, thousands of pilots graduated here annually, which forever secured the city's status as the aviation capital.

Emergence of Forrest Sherman Field

With the advent of the jet age, the old runways ceased to meet safety requirements. In the early 1950s, a decision was made to build a new airfield in the western part of the base. It was opened in 1954 and was named Forrest Sherman Field in honour of Admiral Forrest Sherman, a former Chief of Naval Operations. It is this part of the base that today receives jet fighters and serves as the home for the Blue Angels.

From the Ocean to the Stars

In the 1960s, Pensacola became an important point on the space race map. Many legendary astronauts underwent training here, including Neil Armstrong (the first man on the Moon) and John Glenn. The base provided unique conditions for water survival training and physical preparation for future space explorers.

Trials by Elements and Modernisation

Its geographical position on the Gulf Coast has repeatedly subjected the airfield to severe tests. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan caused colossal damage to the base, destroying historic hangars and damaging infrastructure. Another blow was struck by Hurricane Sally in 2020. However, each of these events became an impetus for large-scale reconstruction. Restoration works allowed for the modernisation of runways, updating of navigation equipment, and construction of modern training buildings, making the airfield even more reliable.

Interesting Facts from History:

• First Flight: It was here in 1914 that the first combat flight in US Naval Aviation history was made (during the Veracruz incident).
• Home for the Elite: The famous flight demonstration squadron Blue Angels relocated to Pensacola in 1955, making it their official home and the symbol of the city.
• Unique Record: Pensacola NAS is the only base through which all US naval aviators (pilots, navigators, and flight engineers) pass at the initial stage of their careers.
• Cinema History: The picturesque views of the base and its runways have often been used for filming Hollywood movies about pilots, including classic films of the mid-20th century.

As Pensacola NAS (NPA) is an active US Navy airbase and not a civil airport, the range of services here differs significantly from standard terminals. There are no Duty Free shops, airline business lounges, or currency exchange points here. All infrastructure available to tourists is concentrated around the main attraction — the National Naval Aviation Museum, which effectively acts as a "passenger terminal" for guests of the base.

Restaurants, Cafés, and Shops

Unlike ordinary airports with chain fast-food outlets, dining here is turned into part of the historical experience.

• Cubi Bar Café: The most famous establishment on the base territory, located inside the museum. This is not just a café, but an exact replica of the legendary officers' club that existed at the US airbase in the Philippines. The interior is decorated with thousands of commemorative plaques from various squadrons. It serves classic American sandwiches, salads, and soups. The atmosphere immerses you in the "Top Gun" era.
• Flight Deck Store: Located in the museum hall. This is a huge shop where you can buy everything: from bomber jackets and aviation glasses to detailed aircraft models and Blue Angels squadron patches.
• Lighthouse Shop: A small souvenir shop is located in the keeper's cottage at the Pensacola Lighthouse (gifts with a nautical theme).

Important: Large shopping centres (NEX) and supermarkets (Commissary) on the base territory are available only for military personnel and veterans with appropriate ID cards.

Waiting Areas and VIP Services

There are no classic VIP lounges available via Priority Pass on the base. However, the museum itself has comfortable seating areas with sofas in the main atrium, where you can catch your breath surrounded by historic aircraft. Entry to the museum and use of the rest areas is free.

Wi-Fi and Connectivity

• Internet: Free guest Wi-Fi is usually available on the territory of the National Naval Aviation Museum. Signal quality may vary depending on the specific hall (due to the abundance of metal structures in the hangars).
• Charging Stations: There are no specialised stands for charging gadgets here, as in civil airports. It is recommended to carry a power bank.

Banks and Currency Exchange

Currency exchange on the base territory is unavailable for tourists. It is recommended to ensure you have US dollars in cash or a bank card in advance.

• ATMs: Several ATMs are located in the museum lobby. They accept major international cards (Visa, Mastercard), but may charge a fee for cash withdrawals.

Medical Services

The Naval Hospital Pensacola is located on the base territory, but it is intended for servicing military personnel. For tourists, personnel trained in first aid are on duty in the museum. In emergency situations, 911 is called, which will dispatch civil ambulance or military rescue services.

Services for Passengers with Children

This place is perfectly adapted for a family visit:

• Entertainment: The museum features an interactive zone for children, flight simulators (including 3D and 4D cinemas), as well as the opportunity to sit in the cockpits of real aircraft.
• Amenities: Baby changing tables are provided in the museum restrooms. The space between exhibits is wide enough for comfortable movement with a pushchair.

Services for Passengers with Reduced Mobility

As a US federal facility, the base and museum strictly follow accessibility standards (ADA):

• Museum: Fully accessible for wheelchairs. There are lifts to the second level (Mezzanine), wide ramps, and automatic doors. A wheelchair can be borrowed free of charge at the information desk for the duration of the visit (subject to availability, on a first-come, first-served basis).
• Lighthouse: The territory around the lighthouse and the ground floor of the keeper's house museum are accessible. However, the climb to the top of the lighthouse itself (177 steps) is not equipped with a lift and is inaccessible for citizens with reduced mobility.
• Parking: Designated spots for vehicles with "Disabled" badges are allocated at all tourist sites.

Hotels and Accommodation

Hotels of the Navy Lodge and Navy Gateway Inns & Suites systems are located directly on the base territory.
Nuance: Staying in them is permitted only for military personnel, US Department of Defence employees, and their family members. Ordinary tourists cannot book a room there.

Tourists are recommended to look for accommodation outside the checkpoints:

• Perdido Key: A resort zone 10–15 minutes drive from the base's west gate. There are many hotels and apartments here with beach views.
• Downtown Pensacola: The historic city centre (about 20 minutes drive), where major chain hotels (Hilton, Marriott, Holiday Inn) and boutique hotels are represented.

Conference Halls and Business Services

For business travellers, opportunities are limited. The museum does not have co-working spaces or business centres with printers for general use. However, the National Naval Aviation Museum offers its halls (for example, the majestic Blue Angels Atrium) for rent for hosting gala dinners or corporate meetings in a unique setting, but this requires prior coordination and booking through the museum administration.

Since Pensacola NAS (NPA) is an active military base and not a commercial airport, you will not find the familiar food courts with dozens of chain eateries scattered across terminals here. Dining here is organised differently and has its own specifics, closely linked to the operating regime of the base's tourist sites.

For civilian visitors (tourists), the choice of places for lunch is limited to free-access zones, primarily the territory of the National Naval Aviation Museum. Access to dining halls for military personnel (Galley) or NEX (Navy Exchange) shopping centre food courts is generally closed to ordinary tourists or requires an escort by a military sponsor.

Main Gastronomic Attraction: Cubi Bar Café

This is not just a place where you can eat, but one of the most atmospheric spots on the entire base. The café is located directly inside the National Naval Aviation Museum.

• Concept and Atmosphere: The café interior completely copies the legendary officers' club that was located at the former US Naval Air Station Cubi Point in the Philippines. The walls are adorned with thousands of commemorative wooden plaques left by various squadrons over decades of service. This place is literally steeped in aviation history.
• Menu and Cuisine: Classic American "comfort food" is served here. The menu features sandwiches, burgers, soups, fresh salads, and desserts.
  What to try: The signature She-Crab Soup, if it is on the menu of the day, as well as the classic Cubi Burger.
• Prices: The average bill is $10–15 per person. This is an affordable option for a family lunch.
• Opening Hours: The café is open daily but operates on a limited schedule, usually from 10:30 to 14:30 (times may vary depending on the season). This is an ideal place for lunch, but dinner will not be possible here as the museum closes early.

Quick Snacks and Drinks

If you do not have time for a full lunch at the café, snack options on the base territory for tourists are limited:

• Flight Deck Store: In the museum souvenir shop, you can buy bottled water, fizzy drinks, chocolate bars, crisps, and nuts. Sometimes "space ice cream" (freeze-dried), popular with children, is also sold here.
• Vending Machines: Machines with drinks and snacks are sometimes installed in the museum rest areas and near the entrance.
• Concessions (During Air Shows): On practice days of the Blue Angels flight demonstration team (usually Tuesdays and Wednesdays in season), temporary food points and food trucks are deployed at the viewing areas behind the museum. You can buy hot dogs, pretzels, lemonade, and popcorn there.

Dietary Dining (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Halal)

Given the military specifics and the limited menu, there are few specialised options here:

• Vegetarians: Vegetable salads (e.g., "Garden Salad") and side dishes (fruit slices, French fries) are always available at the Cubi Bar Café. Vegetarian burgers may not be constantly available.
• Gluten-Free Food: There is no separate gluten-free menu. Salads without dressing and croutons are the safest choice.
• Halal and Kosher: Specialised certified dishes are not offered within the tourist zone of the base.

Recommendations for Dining Outside the Base

Since the café in the museum closes early, and access to other base facilities is limited, it is recommended to drive outside the checkpoints for a full dinner. Nearby areas with good restaurants:

• Navy Point and Warrington: Just outside the base gates, you can find inexpensive fast-food eateries and local diners.
• Perdido Key: Driving about 10-15 minutes west from the base (via Blue Angel Parkway), you will find yourself in a resort area. Here it is worth looking for restaurants with fresh Gulf of Mexico seafood — fried prawns, oysters, and grilled fish. This is the best option to end the day after visiting the museum.

Summary: Plan lunch at the Cubi Bar Café as part of the cultural programme — it is tasty and atmospheric. But do not expect to find food here early in the morning or in the evening; at these times, it is better to eat in the city of Pensacola or its surroundings.

Since Pensacola NAS (NPA) is an active military airbase and not a civil airport, the usual air travel rules do not apply here. You will not check in for a flight or check baggage. However, visiting this facility requires compliance with specific protocols, violation of which can spoil the impressions of the trip. Below are tips to help you plan the perfect visit to the "Cradle of Naval Aviation".

Arrival Time Recommendations

The arrival strategy depends on the purpose of your visit:

• Ordinary Day (Museum Visit): If you are going simply to view the exhibition, arriving at opening time is not mandatory. Queues at the checkpoint on weekdays (except for air show days) are minimal. However, note that the museum closes early (usually at 16:00), so for a leisurely tour, it is worth arriving no later than 13:00.
• Blue Angels Practice Days: These are the busiest days (usually Tuesday and Wednesday in season). The base gates open for visitors around 9:00, and flights begin at 10:30. It is strongly recommended to be at the checkpoint gates 1.5–2 hours before the start of the show. Queues of cars can stretch for kilometres, and parking fills up very quickly.

"Check-in" and Security Features

Instead of an airline check-in counter, a checkpoint awaits you. This is the most important stage of your visit.

• Documents: Every passenger in the car over 18 years old is required to have a valid identification document with a photo (for US citizens — REAL ID, for foreign tourists — passport). The driver must have a licence and insurance for the car.
• Inspection: Be prepared for military security to ask you to open the boot, doors, and bonnet of the vehicle. This is a standard procedure; treat it calmly and follow all commands of the sentries.
• Behaviour Rules: Keep your hands in sight, do not make sudden movements, and switch off headlights when approaching the post if it is dark or overcast outside.

Tips for Choosing a "Seat on the Plane" (Observation Zones)

Although you will not be flying as a passenger, choosing a place to watch the Blue Angels practice is critically important:

• Bleachers: Free stands are installed behind the National Naval Aviation Museum. They fill up quickly, so you need to occupy seats immediately after parking.
• Chair Rental: If the stands are occupied, you can rent a folding chair on the spot (usually about $5–10).
• Your Own Gear: The most experienced option is to bring your own folding chairs. This is permitted and much more convenient.
• Hearing Protection: Jet fighters fly very low and loudly. Be sure to bring earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones, especially for children.

What Can and Cannot Be Carried (Hand Luggage Rules)

Rules for bringing items onto the base territory are stricter than in civil airports:

• Prohibited: It is categorically forbidden to bring firearms and cold weapons, narcotics, alcohol, fireworks, and drones (quadcopters). Using a drone over a military base is a federal crime. Glass bottles are also prohibited.
• Permitted: Backpacks and bags (subject to inspection at the museum entrance), cameras and camcorders, pushchairs, water in plastic bottles, and small snacks.
• Backpacks in the Museum: Inside the museum, large backpacks are requested to be left in the car or lockers (if operational) so as not to touch the exhibits.

Recommendations on Movement (Transfers Inside the Base)

Pedestrian movement between objects (for example, from the museum to the lighthouse) may be difficult due to the lack of pavements in some sections and large distances.

• Move only by car. There are car parks at every attraction.
• Observe the speed limit to the mile. Military police issue fines even for minor speeding.
• Never drive into zones fenced with a red line or signs marked "Restricted Area".

Customs Control

Since the airfield does not receive international civil flights, there is no customs zone or Duty Free here. International tourists undergo border control upon entry into the USA at the first airport of arrival (for example, in Miami, New York, or Atlanta), and not in Pensacola. Only a check of the legality of presence on the territory (visa/passport check at the checkpoint) is carried out on the base.

Tips for Saving Time and Money

• Free Entry: Visiting the National Naval Aviation Museum and parking are absolutely free. This is one of the most budget-friendly and impressive excursions in Florida.
• Water and Food: Prices in the museum café are moderate, but on air show days, queues can be huge. Take a supply of water and a light snack with you so as not to waste time queuing for a hot dog.
• Souvenirs: If you want to save money, avoid impulsive purchases in the main shop. Sometimes the same aircraft models can be found cheaper in online stores, but exclusive Blue Angels patches are best bought here.

What to Do in Case of "Flight Delay" (Show Cancellation)

Blue Angels flights and airfield operations depend heavily on the weather and operational situation.

• Status Check: Before the trip, always check the official page of the base or museum on social networks. Practice sessions may be cancelled due to low cloud cover or rain.
• Plan B: If flights are cancelled, do not be upset. Dedicate time to a detailed inspection of the museum (this can take 3–4 hours) or visit the IMAX cinema inside the complex. You can also climb the Pensacola Lighthouse — in cloudy weather there are fewer people, and the view of the turbulent bay is particularly dramatic.