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Home of the Blue Angels

The mission of the Blue Angels is to showcase the teamwork and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps through flight demonstrations, and community outreach while inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country. Each squadron member is individually selected. There are certain requirements that the squadron looks for in hiring a team member, and applicants must be career-oriented Sailors or Marines recommended for Blue Angels duty by their current Commanding Officer.

Naval History

Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola was the first U.S. Navy base to be designated a Naval Air Station back in 1911, and where all Naval and Marine Corps aviators begin their training toward their Wings of Gold. NAS Pensacola was nicknamed the "Cradle of Naval Aviation" because it was used as the main hub for aviators during times of war. In more recent years, NAS Pensacola has became home of Naval Air Technical Training Command (NATTC). NATTC provides technical training schools for nearly all enlisted aircraft maintenance and enlisted aircrew specialities in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

National Naval Aviation Museum

The National Naval Aviation Museum, formerly known as the National Museum of Naval Aviation is a military and aerospace museum located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. Founded in 1962 and moved to its current location in 1974, the museum has now been reopened to the public starting May 2023, after a temporary close in 2019. The museum is devoted to the history of naval aviation, including that of the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Coast Guard. Its mission is "to select, collect, preserve and display" appropriate memorabilia representative of the development, growth and historic heritage of United States Naval Aviation. More than 150 aircraft and spacecraft are on display, including four former purple Angels A-4 Skyhawks, the Curtiss NC-4 (the first aircraft to cross the Atlantic), and U.S. Coast Guard helicopters.

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Beaches

Pensacola beach is probably the most well known beach in the area. Taking a nice walk down the Pensacola Beach crosswalk is fun, and there's plenty of bars and restaurants around. However, the beach with the clearest water, and softest sand is Opal beach. It runs 8 miles from Navarre to Pensacola. Sugary sand, clear waters, and silence await you at Opal.

Restaurants

If you like seafood, Pensacola will be to your liking. Some of the best seafood "boil bags" in town are at Cracking Crab. There's a huge variety of flavors, and extras that can be in your boil bag. It's salty, spicy, and buttery delicious! Also, one of best places for chargrilled oysters is Felix's Restaurant and Oyster bar. They are cooked to perfection, and are topped with parmesan cheese and parsley. They come in half, or full dozen, but recommend to get the full order because they are finger-licking good!