NAS Pensacola, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Conduct Joint Security Exercise
By Ens. Trent Prince, Naval Air Station Pensacola
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Navy Security Forces (NSF), Fire and Emergency Services Gulf Coast (F&ESGC) and other first responders conducted a joint security response exercise with Escambia County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) May 12 at the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) building onboard the installation.
The exercise incorporated a simulated hostage scenario, designed to test the response of security personnel and emergency services during a rapidly evolving situation to enhance emergency response readiness and coordination. “Our commitment to the safety and well-being of our base personnel is our top priority,” said NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Chandra “Mamasan” Newman. “We conduct these exercises to ensure we’re ready to confront any situation we might face, and so that we can test our response to any number of scenarios." NAS Pensacola Installation Training Officer Erich Brinkmeier organized the exercise to strengthen coordination among emergency response agencies. “It is vital that every entity on this base is aligned,” Brinkmeier said. “In a real-world situation, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office would also respond, so it’s important that we get good training repetitions with our community partners before an incident happens.”
Brinkmeier said installation personnel invest significant time planning and developing realistic scenarios to provide responders with practical, real-world training opportunities. According to Brinkmeier, exercises like the May 12 event are an essential part of the installation’s security posture, ensuring responders are prepared to protect lives and maintain mission readiness. “I do feel safer knowing that security is always training and looking at potential threats,” said Pensacola NMCRS Director Joy Barnes. “I’m glad that our team could participate as role players in the exercise to help our first responders train.”
“Our exceptional team provides the consistency and excellence that drives us forward,” Newman said. “We will remain constant in our efforts to protect the lives and well-being of our military and civilian workforce and ensure we train to the highest standards at all times.” Naval Air Station Pensacola, known as the “Cradle of Naval Aviation,” supports operational and training missions for several tenant commands, including Naval Air Technical Training Center, Naval Aviation Schools Command and Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training. The installation also hosts Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 and Marine Aviation Training Support Group 23 and serves as headquarters for Naval Education and Training Command. In addition to an active runway, the installation maintains a deepwater port supporting operations for the United States Coast Guard.
Pensacola Navy Days Holds Golf Tournament, Gala Despite Weather
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Pensacola Navy Days held their third annual Golf Tournament and Night at the Museum Gala May 8 onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. Despite a looming threat of stormy weather, tournament participants teed off at 9:30 a.m. and played quickly to beat incoming rain.
Pensacola Navy Days continued that evening at the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) for an evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing at the Night at the Museum Gala.
Although the rain did not effect planned activities Friday, events that were scheduled May 9, including a 4k run/walk, Fun Fest and Navy Days Parade were rescheduled due to inclement weather. Updated schedules of Pensacola Navy Days events will be posted to their website. Pensacola Navy Days celebrates the rich military heritage of the Greater Pensacola Area, with a mission to foster a positive and lasting relationship between the local and military communities. The annual event aims to showcase the pride and appreciation that Escambia County has for NAS Pensacola and all branches of the military stationed there.
NAS Pensacola FFSC Hosts Community Wellness Fair
By Ens. Trent Prince, Naval Air Station Pensacola
PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) held a Community Wellness Fair May 7 at the Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) Charles E. Taylor Hangar. FFSC partnered with Northwest Florida Health to host over 60 exhibits from on-base and community partner organizations, that offered health, fitness, educational tools and information about mental health services and was attended by more than 600 people.
“What we are really striving to do is to get people an understanding of what resources are available to them,” said NAS Pensacola FFSC Counseling, Advocacy and Prevention Supervisor Ericka Sam. “This event showcases the amount of people and resources available to service members and their families here at NAS Pensacola.” In addition to health and wellness outreach, the fair included raffles, family-friendly activities and local food trucks aimed at encouraging participation and raising awareness about available resources both on and off base.
The FFSC at NAS Pensacola, located at 151 Ellyson Ave. onboard the air station, provides information and referrals, education and one-on-one assistance to service members and their families at no cost to eligible patrons. Available programs include: Clinical Counseling; New Parent Support; Personal Financial Management; and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, among others. Individuals can call (850) 452-5990 to schedule and appointment. Military OneSource is also available to service members in need with resources including counseling, financial and legal consultations and referrals for mental health care. Assistance is available 24/7 by phone at (800) 342-9647 or online at https://www.militaryonesource.mil. Individuals who are in distress or thinking of harming themselves should dial the Suicide Crisis Lifeline by calling 988, then pressing 1 for the Military Crisis Line. This service is available 24/7 and connects service members, veterans and their families with trained counselors who understand military culture. Help is also available through text at 838255 or online chat at https://veteranscrisisline.net.
Navy WWII Veteran Celebrates 102nd Birthday at National Naval Aviation Museum
By Ens. Trent Prince, Naval Air Station Pensacola
PENSACOLA, Fla. – Retired U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Clyde “Cash” Barber celebrated his 102nd birthday May 5 at the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. “It’s been a long journey, and it’s been a blessed journey,” said Barber. “I’m proud to have this many people here to celebrate with me. I’m very honored.”
Barber, a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, has been a dedicated volunteer at the NNAM for over a decade. He said that he spends every Tuesday sharing his experiences with visitors in front of a PBY-5 Catalina aircraft—the same model he served on during World War II. “What a blessing this place is, it’s really my second home,” said Barber. “I’ve been coming out here for 12 years now and I hope I never miss any days.” Barber enlisted in the Navy in May 1941 at the age of 17. He served as a flight engineer on Catalina patrol bombers in the Pacific theater during World War II, participating in missions from Midway to the Philippines. After the war, he continued his service and retired in 1971 after he rose to the rank of lieutenant commander. The birthday celebration took place on the Cabot Flight deck of the museum with family, friends and museum visitors and staff. NNAM Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad praised Barber’s commitment to service and education at the museum. “Cash has been a dear friend for many years. It has been an opportunity to celebrate what I often talk about; common people who do uncommon things,” said Cozad. “He is the reason why people flock to this museum. It’s not to see the airplanes that are beautifully restored, it’s to hear stories about the heroes who created this great nation and our great Navy.”
Located onboard historic NAS Pensacola, the National Naval Aviation Museum is one of the largest aviation museums in the world. With the mission to “select, collect, preserve and display historic artifacts related to the history of Naval Aviation,” the NNAM is open daily for visitors from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. NAS Pensacola, known as the “Cradle of Naval Aviation”, has been a part of the Gulf Coast community for 200 years and serves as a strategic asset in regional emergency readiness. Along with numerous aviation and cyber warfare training activities, NAS Pensacola maintains an operational airfield and deepwater port, preserving U.S. Armed Forces operational platforms.
'1 Degree of Separation' Performs at Naval Aviation Schools Command
PENSACOLA, Fla. – Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) hosted two ‘1 Degree of Separation’ suicide prevention training programs May 7 in the Naval Aviation Schools Command auditorium onboard the air station. ‘1 Degree of Separation’ is billed as “a funny look at depression and suicide” and uses humor and candid discussions to encourage dialogue, awareness and acceptance for individuals experiencing depression. Comedians each performed five minutes of stand-up comedy before leading a group discussion with service members about mental health, warning signs and how to talk with someone who may be struggling.
Pensacola Native, American Idol Top 3 Finalist Keyla Richardson Visits Blue Angels at NAS Pensacola
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Pensacola native and American Idol competitor Keyla Richardson and her son, Drew, travelled to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola May 6 to meet the Blue Angels after a practice demonstration, during a visit to her hometown.