NAS Pensacola Recognizes FY25 Sailors of the Year
NAS Pensacola Selects Sailors of the Quarter, 4th Quarter, FY25
NAS Pensacola Civilian Employees Years of Service Recognized
NAS Pensacola MWR Child and Youth Program, Petty Officers Host Local Children for Holiday Event
PENSACOLA, Fla. — The Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola First Class Petty Officer Association (FCPOA) and the installation’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) department’s Child and Youth Programs (CYP) welcomed area schoolchildren for a Dec. 8 holiday event onboard the installation. “As a Pensacola native, it means a lot to be able to help out in the local community,” said NAS Pensacola Navy Security Forces Departmental Lead Petty Officer (LPO) Master-at-Arms 1st Class Drue Patrick, who also serves as the NAS Pensacola FCPOA president. “The Navy has such a huge impact and role in this community, and for us to be able to bring a little bit of joy during the holidays is something you just can’t put a price on.”
Pensacola-area children from Global, Navy Point and West Pensacola elementary schools made holiday-themed arts and crafts, had lunch and received presents from Santa Claus while interacting with Sailors stationed at NAS Pensacola.
“I think there is a symbiotic relationship between NAS Pensacola and the surrounding communities. Pensacola provides all kinds of opportunities for our families to be engaged, and the education is outstanding here,” said NAS Pensacola MWR CYP School Liaison Hannah McCarthy. “This event, which has been happening for at least 15 years, is a great opportunity for us to come together show local kids who don’t necessarily have family in the military what Navy life is like.” NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Chandra Newman, Executive Officer Cmdr. Nick Alfano and Command Master Chief James Wallace also attended the event. “This isn’t just about handing out gifts or throwing a party,” said Newman. “It’s about building real connections with our neighbors beyond the installation gates and staying engaged as part of the Pensacola community.” “For me, this is a meaningful chance to give back to our community,” said Counter Unmanned Aircraft System Division LPO Operations Specialist 1st Class Diana Mason, a NAS Pensacola FCPOA member who helped plan the event. “It allows the children of Pensacola to come on base and meet Navy Sailors and simply enjoy a few hours of holiday fun.”
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).
NAS Pensacola Commands Prepare for Holiday Season
CNO Releases CNOte #3:
World Class Fleet
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TSC Pensacola Holds Change of Command
PENSACOLA, Fla. – U.S. Navy Cmdr. Samantha M. Smith relinquished command of Transaction Service Center (TSC) Pensacola to Cmdr. Peter S. McLaughlin during an official ceremony Dec. 2 at the National Naval Aviation Museum onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Smith assumed command of TSC Pensacola in 2024. She enlisted in the Navy in 2004 as a nuclear power machinist’s mate and advanced to the rank of petty officer third class. She was selected for the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) at Northwestern University, through which she earned her commission as a surface warfare officer after attaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Physics from Loyola University. Smith holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Management from the University of Maryland and a Professional Human Resources certification. Smith has held several key positions throughout her career, including: assistant officer strength planner; protocol officer for the chief of naval personnel; manpower, personnel, training and education requirements officer; head enlisted accession planner; and head Navy strength planner.
McLaughlin, a native of Summerville, South Carolina, arrived at TSC Pensacola as the executive officer last year. He enlisted in the Navy in 1998, completed the Naval Nuclear Power Training pipeline, and served aboard USS Buffalo (SSN 715) and USS Maryland (SSBN 738) before he was selected for the Seaman to Admiral-21 program. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. McLaughlin also holds a Master of Science in Management degree in Manpower Systems Analysis from Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Arts degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. Before he assumed command of TSC Pensacola, McLaughlin held positions including: deputy executive assistant to the deputy chief of naval personnel/commander, Navy Personnel Command (NPC); NPC executive officer of enlisted staff; executive assistant to Rear Adm. Stuart Satterwhite, where he was a plank owner of MyNavy Career Center (MNCC); and chief of staff and commanding officer of MNCC Headquarters staff. TSCs execute personnel and pay transactions quickly and accurately. In addition to military pay and customer service transactions within their area of responsibility, each TSC leads service delivery and standardized procedures for several transaction types. TSC Pensacola handles East Coast gains and losses and continental U.S. (CONUS) military pay for the areas of operations east of the Mississippi River and Louisiana.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Barbara Mabrity Pulls in to NAS Pensacola
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Barbara Mabrity (WLM-559), a Keeper-class coastal buoy tender, is docked alongside USCGC Walnut (WLB-205) at Allegheny Pier onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Dec. 2. Along with naval aviation and information warfare training, NAS Pensacola is home to the U.S. Navy's only deepwater port in the Gulf.
NAS Pensacola Honors Fallen Service Members in Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony
PENSACOLA, Fla. – Pensacola-area service members, veterans and family members gathered at the Naval Aviation Memorial Chapel onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Dec. 5 to honor the lives lost during the attack on Pearl Harbor 84 years ago. The ceremony served as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made on Dec. 7, 1941, a day that forever altered the course of American history. Hosted by the Pensacola-area Chief Petty Officer Association (PACPOA), the event brought together attendees from across the area to pay tribute to the more than 2,400 lives that were lost and over 1,000 wounded. Additionally, the U.S. Pacific Fleet suffered extensive damage, including the loss or destruction of 20 ships and more than 300 aircraft. “It’s important to continue hosting ceremonies to remember events of the past so that the younger Sailors don’t forget historical events that shaped the Navy,” Chief Yeoman James Wallace, PACPOA vice president. “Naval Air Station Pensacola is one of the Navy’s largest training installations post-basic training. It’s important to keep these traditions apparent and relevant to the younger Sailors that are just joining the Navy.”
The attack on Pearl Harbor launched the U.S. into a global conflict, and the observance served as a reminder not only of the past but also of the enduring commitment of those who continue to serve. The ceremony began with an invocation and a recitation of the Ode to the Flag, followed by a retelling of the History of the Day of Infamy and a traditional two-bell remembrance, an honored naval custom symbolizing the end of a watch that pays respect to those who have passed. “Remembering Pearl Harbor is essential not only as a tribute to the lives lost but also as a reminder of the impact that day had on the course of history,” said Wallace. “The attack marked a turning point that united our nation and ultimately reshaped the global pursuit of freedom. By honoring the courage and sacrifice of those who served and those who supported the war effort at home, we preserve the lessons of vigilance, service, and unity.” The Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony has been taking place at NAS Pensacola for nearly a decade and it demonstrates the installation’s commitment to never forget the sacrifices that have been made by all those that have faithfully and valiantly served our nation. 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), the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT), Marine Aviation Training Support Groups (MATSG) 21 and 23 and is the headquarters for Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).
Credits:
Bruce Cummins, NAS Pensacola Public Affairs Officer; Garrett Dipuma, NAS Pensacola Public Affairs Office