Pensacola Navy League Hosts Annual Enlisted Recognition Breakfast
By Ensign Trent Prince
PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Pensacola Navy League hosted their annual Enlisted Recognition Breakfast April 23 at Seville Quarter’s Heritage Hall in downtown Pensacola.
The event was held to recognize outstanding enlisted service members from commands onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola as well as other U.S. military activities in Northwest Florida. “It is my sincere honor to stand before the next generation of leaders and recognize the long nights, sacrifices and dedication you and your families have given to this great nation,” said retired Master Chief Petty Officer Terrence Pinnock, the event’s keynote speaker. “Your actions speak louder than words. All of the leaders in this room understand the impact of strong leadership.”
Nearly 20 awardees representing the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard were recognized during the event for outstanding service from several local organizations and government representatives.
“The enlisted recognition breakfast serves as a vital opportunity for the community to honor the sacrifices and significant contributions of outstanding enlisted service members who are nominated by their commands,” said NAS Pensacola Command Master Chief Brian Bellefeuille “It fosters camaraderie and reinforces the community’s support for our warfighters.” Event attendees included service members, state and local government representatives and local community and industry leaders. “Leadership is not a part-time gig,” said Pinnock, addressing the awardees. “It is a lifestyle, in and out of uniform.”
Service members recognized at the breakfast included: U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Max Beltran, Aviation Maintenance Squadron Two; U.S. Navy Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Tyler Caron, Helicopter Training Squadron Eight; U.S. Navy Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Casey Cook, Helicopter Training Squadron 18; U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Aja Copeland, 451st Flying Training Squadron; U.S. Navy Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 1st Class Jose Delacerda; U.S. Navy Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Carlos Diaz-Ochoa, NAS Pensacola; U.S. Coast Guard Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Stevin Ehrig, U.S. Coast Guard Detachment, Information Warfare Training Center Corry Station; U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technician 1st Class Jacob Garbrecht, U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile; U.S. Navy Mineman Senior Chief Ahdan Hassan, Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center; U.S. Navy Cyber Warfare Technician 2nd Class Disean Hires, Information Operations Command Pensacola; U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Parker Hovis, 479th Flying Training Group; U.S. Navy Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 1st Class Jeffrey Jorgensen, Naval Air Technical Training Center; U.S. Navy Naval Aircrewman (Tactical Helicopter) 1st Class Linwood Lee, Naval Aviation Schools Command; U.S. Navy Gunners Mate 1st Class Sabriel Lewis, Naval Education and Training Command; U.S. Navy Legalman 1st Class Megan Lundy, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training; U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Mason Monfrey, Naval Hospital Pensacola; U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jonathan Ozuna, Aviation Maintenance Squadron One; U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rylee Platt, Marine Aviation Support Group 23; U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Fausto Acosta, 479th Operations Support Squadron.
Pensacola Navy Days Scheduled
May 8 - 10
PENSACOLA, Fla. - The third annual Pensacola Navy Days is scheduled to take place May 8-10 with events scheduled around the city to celebrate the rich military heritage of the Greater Pensacola Area. Pensacola Navy Days festivities kicked off April 17 with a 'Vintage Vibes and Valor'-themed Gallery Night in downtown Pensacola, and is scheduled to continue with an April 30 Blue Wahoos Navy Days-themed baseball game. The multi-day celebration is scheduled to continue May 8 with a golf tournament, at A.C. Read Golf Course, and the Night at the Museum Gala, at the National Naval Aviation Museum, both onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. May 9 events are scheduled to start at Plaza de Luna with an 8 a.m. Navy Days 4k run/walk, followed by a Fun Fest with activities including a Kids Fun Zone with free activities, food trucks, military vehicles on display, tours of U.S. Coast Guard vessels, ROTC demonstrations and a military/veterans’ fair. The Pensacola Navy Days Parade is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
Pensacola Navy Days wraps up May 10 with a 6 p.m. concert, sponsored by the City of Pensacola, featuring Gretsch and the Modern Eldorados, scheduled to be held at Museum Plaza. The idea for Pensacola Navy Days originated through the efforts of Florida Sen. Doug Broxson, who collaborated with NAS Pensacola leadership and local stakeholders to establish an annual event that highlights the contributions of military personnel and showcases the appreciation of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Pensacola Navy Days’ mission is to foster a mutually positive and lasting relationship between local and military communities, celebrate and publicize the rich military heritage of the Greater Pensacola Area and highlight Pensacola as the premier military-friendly community in the Southeastern U.S. for veterans and service members. NAS Pensacola, referred to as the "Cradle of Naval Aviation," is designed to support operational and training missions of tenant commands, including the Naval Aviation Technical Training Center (NATTC); Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC); Marine Aviation Training Support Groups (MATSG) 21 and 23 and serves as the headquarters for Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).
Construction Finishes on Naval Aviation Memorial Chapel Steeple
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola's Religious Ministries Department held a ceremony to bless the newly finished steeple at the Naval Aviation Memorial Chapel onboard the air station April 23.
Pensacola Service Members Visit Children for National Superhero Day
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Pensacola-area service members and Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola mascot J. Gosling visited children at the Studer Family Children’s Hospital in Pensacola, Florida April 28 as part of Ascension Sacred Heart’s celebration National Superhero Day. J. Gosling and Sailors joined several other Pensacola organizations to visit children battling illnesses to remind them they are not fighting alone. (U.S. Navy photos by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Ian Cotter)
1 Degree of Separation Scheduled May 7
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) and Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) are scheduled to host two free comedy shows with a message of healing May 7 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) Auditorium. ‘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. For more information about the show, call 850-452-6354. 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](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](https://veteranscrisisline.net/).
Air Force 359th Training Squadron Leads 2026 NAS Pensacola Captain's Cup
MediaCom to Cease Front Counter Services at NAS Pensacola
PENSACOLA, Fla. - MediaCom will cease front counter operations at their Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola facility located at 385 Millington Ave, Bldg. 3644, Room 164. Operations are expected to cease on or about June 19. To find the closest Dropbox locations, third-party payment centers, Mediacom Offices, Western Union Quick Collect Locations, and Vanilla Direct Payment Locations, please visit https://support.mediacomcable.com/About/Contact/#locations. This change will affect NAS Pensacola customers who choose to pay their bills in person. Customers may visit the Mediacom offices in nearby Gulf Breeze, FL, at 1613 Nantahala Beach Rd, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563, or in Milton, FL, at 4349 Avalon Blvd, Milton, FL 32583. All other customer service needs can be met by using the MediacomConnect mobile app, contacting Mediacom customer service at 1 (855) 633-4226, or visiting the MediaCom website.
Credits:
Bruce Cummins, NAS Pensacola Public Affairs Officer; Garrett Dipuma, NAS Pensacola Public Affairs Office; Chief Mass Communications Specialist Ian Cotter, NAS Pensacola Public Affairs Office; Ens. Trent King, NAS Pensacola Public Affairs Office