NAS Pensacola To Allow Public Access For One Day On June 4

May 19, 2022

After months of planning and coordination, Naval Air Station Pensacola will allow a one-day public access to the installation on Saturday, June 4.

This one-time access was selected for June 4 to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Midway, a pivotal battle of World War II that occurred from June 4 – 7, 1942.

Public access to NAS Pensacola on June 4 will be available from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. through the West Gate only on Blue Angel Parkway. All guests 18 and older must have a valid picture ID such as driver’s license or passport. Access will be available dependent on available parking at the museum and lighthouse. Once parking is full, public access will be halted until more parking becomes available. Temporary traffic control points will be located on base to prevent public access to other areas of the installation.

While on the installation, the public will be able to visit the Pensacola Lighthouse and the National Naval Aviation Museum. Fort Barrancas will not be accessible to the public. Access to Barrancas National Cemetery is always available to anyone with family in the cemetery through the Visitor Control Center at the main gate.

The following restrictions will apply:

  • No weapons (firearms/knives) allowed (to include concealed weapon permit holders)
  • No backpacks/coolers allowed (diaper bags or medically required bags are acceptable and subject to search)
  • No alcoholic beverages allowed
  • No drones allowed (countermeasures will be taken)
  • Persons with felony convictions are not authorized base access
  • All vehicles and visitors are subject to security searches and background checks

NAS Pensacola has been closed to the public since a terrorist attack on December 6, 2019.

Comments

19 Responses to “NAS Pensacola To Allow Public Access For One Day On June 4”

  1. Please tell me on May 21st, 2022 10:51 am

    Which military base has been attacked by Civilians on U.S. territory, all attacks have been made by foreign nationals or active duty military, it has never been by an American Civilian to the best of my knowledge!!!

  2. William in Beulah on May 21st, 2022 10:47 am

    EXCUSE ME!!! Those of you supporting the base keeping civilians out, can you please tell me how a foreign national attacking military personnel is any reason for Americans to be treated like they are the threat?
    Those of you you saying it cost most in security, I call bull crap, because until this foreign national attacked military personnel. Civilians had Always had access and it didn’t cost anything extra, besides it being part of the job of military personnel to pull watchstander duties and it doesn’t cost any extra!!!!

    I to am retired military and I know it is a farce to keep citizens away from this base, because the American people have never been the threat!!!!

  3. Retired Navy Vet on May 20th, 2022 12:30 pm

    @IMHO
    It WAS NOT an enlisted person who caused the “issue”! It was a Saudi foreign student. While the museum is I tended for the public it is on a US Navy base which is federal property. They can secure it when they want. Should they look at opening again? I think yes, but then again the base CO is taking the safety of his base, his commands under him, and the military and civilians who work onboard into account.
    How many other bases have you been able to just breeze onto? It’s precaution not absurdity!

  4. Pat on May 20th, 2022 11:50 am

    To everyone saying “I cannot believe that access is still this restricted over an event that had NOTHING to do with the public.”

    The security measures are not in place because of that one incident. Other bases have been attacked by civilians. The military is a global force and doesn’t set standards in a bubble based on each location.

  5. Lou on May 20th, 2022 11:43 am

    Most museums on military bases are separated from base. (Fences etc) It will cost thousands and thousands of dollars to do this on board NAS Pensacola. Some areas on base have not been fully recovered from hurricane Sally due to funding. Pensacola NAS has the obligation first, to protect the great men and women protecting our great nation, as well as their facilities in order to complete their mission. You want the museum open to the public seven days a week. Write a letter to your elected officials for funding, in order to make it safe for our heroes trying to carry out their mission, and folks to admire a great museum.

  6. Tommy G on May 20th, 2022 11:00 am

    Really Mic Hall? You said, “I cannot believe that access is still this restricted over an event that had NOTHING to do with the public. A trainee attacked other students and teachers being trained the general public was not a part of it.”

    Attacked? How about a terrorist KILLED members of our Armed Forces and 3 of our Law Enforcement personnel were shot and you merely refer to it as some trainee attacked some other people??? WOW!

  7. Tommy G on May 20th, 2022 10:57 am

    OMG people, you act like the Department of Defense is depriving you of something dire! Maybe some of you can put this energy into why the goverment worn do anything about the high gas prices, border issue, or formula issue? There are a million things around here to do, you won’t die of boredom because the museum is closed!
    Get a grip, it’s a museum on a naval base. They have every right to deny access…PERIOD. Get over your “I own attitude”.

  8. Ol' Skinny on May 20th, 2022 10:57 am

    Agree with “Retired Navy Vet” … it’s Federal property, not public. If you don’t want to abide by the COs rules and expectations, then don’t go.

  9. IMHO on May 20th, 2022 9:10 am

    I understand the DOD position, but it was an enlisted person that caused the incident not a civilian. I thought the museum was built with the intent for public access. I shouldn’t have to “sign on the dotted line” to visit our local base. Absurd

  10. GMH on May 20th, 2022 7:54 am

    The Blue Angels Homecoming show was never cancelled because of security. It was because of COVID.

  11. Retired Navy Vet on May 20th, 2022 6:59 am

    @Keith
    You gonna pay the millions it would take to move the museum? For those of you saying if they can secure the base for visitors one day why not everyday…ever heard of cost for additional security officers? The base has been closed since 2019, be happy the new CO is at least allowing access this day! It’s a start and if you don’t agree then don’t go! The base is federal property and not public, they can control access as they see fit.

  12. Mic Hall on May 20th, 2022 6:19 am

    I hope that this is a trial run to full reopening and not just a rare day of access.

  13. Mic Hall on May 20th, 2022 5:45 am

    So, they can allow the public to go to the museum for one day but not more days? What are we saying? Security to and from the one entrance where roads are controlled and patrolled is possible for one day but not ongoing?

    I cannot believe that access is still this restricted over an event that had NOTHING to do with the public. A trainee attacked other students and teachers being trained the general public was not a part of it.

  14. Sillly on May 19th, 2022 8:21 pm

    Would love to go again, but one day? Better camp out now if you want to get in. Good luck,

  15. Anne on May 19th, 2022 7:29 pm

    More than VERY Pleased at this one-day and hope it means the Blue Angels Homecoming will be held onboard NASP.
    Blues are performing at other US Military bases…..
    Hope all goes smoothly.

  16. Swampfox on May 19th, 2022 6:52 pm

    One day ? Ok…bye !

  17. dubz on May 19th, 2022 6:50 pm

    One day only? So disappointing. :(

  18. Keith on May 19th, 2022 5:28 pm

    One day for everybody??? What a joke. I say move the museum off the base.

  19. Olin Schultz on May 19th, 2022 4:01 pm

    Well, it’s a start. I hope they open full time!