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NAS Visitors Must Use Gate On Blue Angel Parkway
January 26, 2016
Beginning next Monday, February 1, all unescorted visitors to the National Naval Aviation Museum, Fort Barrancas and Pensacola Lighthouse who do not possess a DoD identification card, will be required to enter the base using the West Gate on Blue Angel Parkway.
“The safety and security of everyone who works, lives or visits NAS Pensacola is my priority. This change will bring the installation in alignment with security directives issued by the Secretary of the Navy and are not in response to any specific threat,” said Naval Air Station (NAS) Commanding Officer, Captain Keith Hoskins.
NAS Pensacola’s main gate on Navy Boulevard will be open to all employees, military and DoD cardholders, as well as previously vetted personnel who possess a valid visitor’s pass. Visitors to Barrancas National Cemetery will be vetted upon arrival at the Visitors Information Center, Building 777 at the Main Gate.
Comments
10 Responses to “NAS Visitors Must Use Gate On Blue Angel Parkway”
I went to Barrancas Cemetery for Memorial Day this year…. I can tell you of the process.
Main gate on Navy Blvd for anyone without Military ID or contractor pass….
You get told at the gate to stop at the first building to the left right past the gate. You go inside to get the pass for Lighthouse, Museum, Cemetery, Forts.
TO GET A PASS – YOU MUST HAVE….
Driver License
Vehicle Registration
Vehicle Insurance Card
Do not have any of it? YOU WILL BE DENIED A PASS AND ESCORTED OFF BASE.
Luckily I did not have a problem with any of it – the only part I disliked was it was a long line of folks and took nearly 35 minutes to get my pass to spend 15 minutes at the cemetery…
So – be prepared. Expect long lines and delays – ESPECIALLY with 4th of July and/or other holidays.
question. My daughter just got a job working at the mess hall, she does not drive. can she have a friend whom is not a government employee drive her to work.
Get a grip folks. I would willingly drive a few extra miles to experience one of the premier FREE attractions on the gulf coast, the Naval Aviation Museum. Access to a military base for the general public is a privilege not a right!
Band aid on a gushing chest wound IMO. Terrorist and others wishing to bring harm to our military men, women and civilians don’t play by the rules. If they want to access the base, there are miles of unprotected shoreline that will still be easily accessible.
But as a base employee, I look forward to not having to deal with the long lines created by tourists visiting the Air Museum, especially when the Blues are flying.
well said Mick. I’m actually happy about the changes to make the base more secure. I know it sucks for some folks but the military side of me has to ask why we didn’t do this a LONG time ago. Play the game right and there won’t be a problem.
To dman and all of the others who remember better times aboard NAS, unfortunately the times we live in now and the ongoing threats against our men and women in uniform as well as those daily threats against innocent civilians we have had to adapt against an increasing number of enemies that threaten our way of life because of their skewed, cowardly view of how they think the world should be.
We must adapt and be vigilant and never, ever give the scumbag terrorists of this world one ounce of satisfaction into thinking they have a chance against the greatest nation on this earth. I too have good memories of NAS Pensacola, and the carrier Lexington, and of when the Naval Air Rework Facility was going strong.
To me NAS is still a hallowed place and it’s traditions continue to produce the finest Naval aviators. The museum is a sight to see. Despite the tightened security I would hope that we continue to remember and hold dear NAS Pensacola in our hearts and minds, those of us who grew up here ,,,
It’s pretty sad what’s happened with our Navy Yard. I remember as a kid going out there with my dad and it being so much more laid back. You felt a lot closer with the military then, and it felt a lot more like a military town, in those better days. Now, it’s not worth the hassle of going out there to even visit the museum anymore. You’re made to feel like a potential criminal and heaven forbid you take a wrong turn. Since the closure of NADEP and Sept 11…it’s become a different place.
That will hurt the museum badly. People will stop going to the museum because of this stupid change. Why should I have to drive an extra 8 miles to enter the base? Security is not a reason for this change. If a terrorist can still get in on the west side, what is the logic in keeping them from entering the east side?????
Chris, those that do not hold the CAC will now be required to enter thru the back gate. No change really to the scenario you describe.
If you do not have the CAC, you tell the gate guard your going to the museum.
Finally some clarity. Although considered by many to be an open base, according to the Navy there is no such thing.
All military personnel and contract workers are issued CAC (Common Area Card) with a serious background check.
For years, workers performing construction on base just showed a drivers license to get through the gate until only about 18 months ago. Then gate police would not let you enter the base to work without a contractor pass which requires a background check. Needless to say I lost numerous employees. However, my gripe was that it’s not about security when the same people refused entry for lack of said pass could turn around and come back through saying their visiting the lighthouse, cemetery, etc. and get waved through but go to work. It was a joke then and this is much more clear but just a bandaid which really inconveniences the public. Besides, I know felons who were construction inspectors performing those services on VQ A&B, Physical Fitness Center, Firestation, and the Rescue Swimmer School. Reported to Engineers, Developers, and NAVFAC. But do the same thing today and the inspector wouldn’t be able to gain access to do his job. All of a sudden he’s a threat. Like I wrote Mr. Hoskins, if your worried about all the recent shootings, you shouldn’t worry about construction workers with a background. It’s your own people freaking out all over the nation. Their the threat. I received some boilerplate resonse from Jacksonville, now this. At least it’s clarification somewhat. Thanks Capt. Hoskins.