VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
Vol. 82, No. 45
November 9, 2018
Aerial acts thrill thousands at NAS Pensacola
2018 Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show From NAS Pensacola Public Affairs Office
More than 120,000 spectators watched the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels, perform during the 2018 Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show Nov. 2 to 3 onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. The annual show, an NAS Pensacola mainstay, marked the end of the Blue Angels 2018 season, and is an event NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Martin said is the successful result of numerous departments’ efforts. “The air show is our way of saying thanks to the community for their continued support throughout the year, and to highlight military aviation and the most professional aviators – both civilian and military – in the world,” he said. “Putting this show together is a concerted effort by every NAS Pensacola department – from the Sailors and civilian employees who worked countless hours behind the scenes to ensure a total success.” More than a dozen acts performed at the two-day event, including the Stearman Flight Team flying biplanes, Doc Ser-
rato flying a T-28C, RedLine Air Shows flying an R8, a U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration, Skip Stewart flying a Pitts Special and the Blue Angels. Along with various acts performing aerial maneuvers throughout the day, numerous static displays – ranging from current military and civilian aircraft to World War II-era planes – dotted Sherman Field’s flightline, providing an interactive experience for visitors. The Blue Angels’ next demonstration is scheduled March 19, 2019, at the Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro Air Show in El Centro, Calif. NAS Pensacola, referred to as the “Cradle of Naval Aviation,” is designed to support operational and training missions of tenant commands, including 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). For more news from Naval Air Station Pensacola, visit www. navy.mil/local/naspensacola.
(Above) As jumpers land with a giant American flag onboard NAS Pensacola’s Sherman Field Nov. 2, service members race to secure it. Photo by Kaitlyn Peacock (Right) NAS Pensacola CO Capt. Christopher Martin welcomes attendees to the 2018 Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show. More than 120,000 people turned out for the hometown favorites and many other aerial acts. Photo by Mike O’Connor. See Gosport pages 4A, 5A for air show photo feature coverage.
VT-4 Squadron Augment Unit (SAU) change of command today training. The training encompassed ground and simulator training for student Naval Flight Officers (SNFOs) and Cmdr. Jon Marek will transfer command international navigators. Durof Training Squadron Four Squadron Auging his tenure the squadron ment Unit (VT-4 SAU) to Cmdr. Sara Taywinged more than 340 NFOs lor during a change of command ceremony while executing over 16,000 at 11 a.m. today, Nov. 9 at VT-4 onboard events. Additionally, the NAS Pensacola. After 30 months in the top spot, Marek Cmdr. Sara squadron reduced the time to train Cmdr. Jon by 38 percent, while increasing will turn over the squadron to his executive Taylor Marek student production by 43 percent. officer Taylor. Under Marek’s command, the squadron earned numerous accolades and conducted VT-4 teaches the Advanced Maritime, Command, and advanced undergraduate Naval Flight Officer (NFO) Control (MC2) course utilizing the Multi-Crew SimuBy Lt. Cmdr. Sean P. Fitzgerald VT-4 SAU
USS Nimitz flight deck exhibit opens From Malerie Shelton National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM)
Visitors will instantly notice something different when they walk through the front entrance of the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM). A one-quarter scale replica of the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) recently opened on the quarterdeck, a dynamic representation of modern naval air power that sets the stage for the more than century old history told throughout the NNAM’s exhibit spaces. Encompassing some 8,000 square feet, the flight deck captures in two dimensions the components of the real thing, including arresting wires, catapult tracks and deck edge aircraft elevators. Looming above it is a recreation of the ship’s island, which was previously constructed by the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation to
lator (MCS) for all NFOs destined for the E-2 Hawkeye, E-6 Mercury, EP-3 Aries, P-3 Orion and P-8 Poseidon aircraft. Taylor, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo., graduated from Arizona University with a Bachelor of Arts in English in May 2001 and received designation as an NFO in October 2002. Transferred to VF-101 “Grim Reapers” in Naval Air Station Oceana Taylor completed the F-14 Fleet Replacement Squadron and was assigned to her first tactical squadron, See VT-4 SAU on page 2
Barrancas National Cemetery celebrates National Veterans and Military Families Month 2018 • Wreath laying ceremony at BNC today Nov. 9, at 3 p.m.
From VA Dept. of Public Affairs Media Relations
Pictured in the ribbon cutting (left to right) retired Navy Capt. Sterling Gilliam, retired Vice Adm. James M. Zortman and retired Marine Lt.Gen. Duane D. Thiessen
serve as the backdrop for the large screen theater ticket counter. The Foundation also funded the new floor, which is the vision of retired Navy Capt. Sterling Gilliam, who is completing his third year as museum director and made his first cruises as a naval aviator onboard
Nimitz. “What if you won a war and no one knew about it,” he said in a recent interview overlooking workers putting the finishing touches on the new floor. “That is what See Nimitz on page 2
On Oct. 31, President Donald Trump declared November 2018 the second annual National Veterans and Military Families Month to “salute the brave and dedicated patriots who have worn the uniform of the United States, and ... celebrate the extraordinary military families whose selfless service and sacrifice make our military the finest in the world.” In 2017, President Trump proclaimed No-
vember Veterans and Military Families Month, marking the first time America celebrated Veterans and military families for the entire month and not just on Veterans Day, in keeping with the President’s strong focus on improving care and benefits to our nation’s heroes. That tradition continues this year with more than 300 events being conducted at VA medical centers, benefits offices and cemeteries across the country, See VA on page 2
Published by Ballinger Publishing, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Navy. Opinions contained herein are not official expressions of the Department of the Navy nor do the advertisements constitute Department of the Navy, NAS Pensacola or Ballinger Publishing’s endorsement of products or services advertised.