NAS PENSACOLA
NAVY
Pensacola, FL
United States
NAS PENSACOLA
NAVY
Pensacola, FL
United States
NAS Pensacola
Cradle of Naval Aviation
Base Essentials
'The Cradle of Naval Aviation' — launching point for every naval aviator, naval flight officer, and enlisted aircrewman, and home of the Blue Angels in Pensacola, FL. A 5,800-acre Gulf Coast Navy base with 16,000+ military, 7,400 civilians, and a rich aviation heritage.
Base Details
Type
Naval Station
Branch
NAVY
Command
CNIC
Status
Active
Est.
1914
Acres
5,678
Active Duty
7,500
Civilian
5,000
Population
500,000
Economic Impact
$2.5 billion
NAS Pensacola History
Named AfterThe installation is known as 'The Cradle of Naval Aviation' reflecting its status as the site of the first U.S. naval air station, established in 1914. Saufley Field is named for Lt. j.g. Richard Caswell Saufley, designated naval aviator No. 14, who set altitude and endurance records and was killed in a crash in June 1916. Corry Station is named for Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Cmdr. William M. Corry Jr., who died from burns received while attempting to rescue a fellow officer from a crashed and burning aircraft.
Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida, established in 1914, is known as the "Cradle of Naval Aviation." It is where naval aviation began and where it continues to train the next generation of naval aviators and flight officers through the Aviation Preflight Indoctrination program.
The station is home to the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Blue Angels flight demonstration team's home base, and numerous training commands. Pensacola's historical significance and ongoing training mission make it one of the most important and iconic naval installations.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
Naval Education and Training Command
NETC
Other
NETC
Other
Naval Aviation Schools Command
NASC
Other
NASC
Other
Blue Angels Home Base
USNFDS
Squadron
USNFDS
Squadron
Historic Timeline
1914
Naval Aeronautic Station Established — "Cradle of Naval Aviation"
1918
World War I Naval Aviation Training Hub
1935
Naval Aviation Cadet Program Formalized
1945
Naval Air Basic Training Command Established
1954
Blue Angels Establish Pensacola as Home Base
—
View Key Moments
(5)
1914
Naval Aeronautic Station Established — "Cradle of Naval Aviation"
The U.S. Navy established the Naval Aeronautic Station at Pensacola, Florida, in January 1914 — the first naval air station in the United States. Pensacola earned its enduring title "Cradle of Naval Aviation" by training the Navy's first military aviators and developing the doctrinal and procedural foundations of American naval aviation.
1918
World War I Naval Aviation Training Hub
During World War I, NAS Pensacola became the primary center for training naval aviators and aviation mechanics, producing the pilots and aircrew who flew patrol, bombing, and observation missions over the Atlantic and with Allied forces in Europe.
1935
Naval Aviation Cadet Program Formalized
The Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD) program was formally established at Pensacola, creating the systematic multi-stage training pipeline that would produce generations of naval aviators through rigorous flight training, academics, and military indoctrination. The NAVCAD program continues at Pensacola to this day.
1945
Naval Air Basic Training Command Established
The Naval Air Basic Training Command was established at NAS Pensacola in 1945, consolidating all phases of initial naval aviation training under a unified command. The reorganization strengthened Pensacola's role as the gateway for all Navy and Marine Corps aviators and contributed to the "Cradle of Naval Aviation" identity.
1954
Blue Angels Establish Pensacola as Home Base
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team relocated their home base to Naval Air Station Pensacola in 1954, establishing the enduring bond between America's premier naval aerobatic team and the "Cradle of Naval Aviation." The Blue Angels continue to call Pensacola home, performing their winter training there each year.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for NAS Pensacola.
NAS Pensacola Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for NAS Pensacola.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Visitor Access
What you need to know to get on NAS Pensacola.
Trusted Traveler Suspended
Check Visitor Pass details below
How are you entering the base?
I have a DoD ID / CAC
Active duty, civilian employee, retiree, or dependent.
I'm visiting someone
Sponsored visit — a DoD ID holder will vouch for you.
I need a day pass
No sponsor — process through the Visitor Control Center.
Commercial / Delivery
Truck drivers, contractors, and vendors.
Quick summary
Visitors must obtain passes at the Visitor Control Center (Pass & Tag) with a valid government-issued photo ID. Military ID cards must be presented at entry. All visits require proof of eligibility.
Guest policy
NAS Pensacola participates in the Trusted Traveler Program, which allows current DoD ID cardholders to escort guests onto the installation. All guests over the age of 18 must still present a valid photo ID. The Trusted Traveler Program may be temporarily suspended due to conditions on base. Check the NAS Pensacola Visitor Information website or contact the Visitor Center to confirm current procedures.
Some veterans with a valid Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) may present their VHIC to access NAS Pensacola. See NAS Pensacola Visitor Information website for details.
Visitors to Barrancas National Cemetery must first go to the Visitor Control Center to get a guest pass; however, most other areas of public interest like the National Aviation Museum or Fort Barrancas do not require passes. This is subject to change due to conditions on base. Check the NAS Pensacola Visitor Information website or contact the Visitor Center for the most up-to-date information.
Parking information
Free, designated parking lots are available for visitor to the public attractions on base (i.e., the National Naval Aviation Museum).
Street parking is strictly prohibited on NAS Pensacola.
Confirmed May 22, 2026
· Sources: official .mil sites, MilitaryOneSource, base guide
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from NAS Pensacola.
Information
Visit Pensacola for the 2024 Blue Angels Air Show!
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These Are the Blue Angels Pilots Leading the 2023 Show Season
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Information
Dive on In! The USS Massachusetts Is a Must for NAS Pensacola
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Information
Locals Want More Access Following the Pensacola Naval Base Shooting
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Information
Plan Your Visit to the NAS Pensacola Museum
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to NAS Pensacola.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
Naval Air Station Pensacola Quarterdeck
Phone
8504524785Location
Building 1500In-Processing
All permanent duty personnel report to the NAS Pensacola Quarterdeck in the Richardson Building (Building 1500) to have orders endorsed. If arriving Monday through Friday between 0700 and 1600, check in with the Personnel Support Office in Building 1500, Room 229.
After-hours, weekend, and holiday arrivals report to the Officer of the Deck on the quarterdeck at (850) 452-4785. Arrive in the Uniform of the Day with orders in hand. NATTC personnel report to the Mega Building Quarterdeck at (850) 452-7300; CNATT operates 24/7 check-in at Building 3460, 2nd Deck.
After initial check-in, contact the Housing Service Center at 1581 Duncan Road, Building 735, (850) 452-5168, within the first few duty days — you must visit the HSC before signing any lease or purchase contract. A monthly Spouse Orientation is held at the FFSC in Building 625 for incoming military spouses; contact the Information and Referral Specialist at (850) 452-5990 to register. Make lodging reservations early during the Memorial Day through Labor Day peak tourist season.
The FFSC Relocation Assistance office at Building 625 (850) 452-5990 provides Welcome Aboard packages, one-on-one relocation counseling, Smooth Move assistance, and financial planning consultations.
A Loan Closet offers kitchen items on a 30-day loan for PCS families setting up a household. Register in the Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS) for disaster preparedness. The FFSC also offers employment assistance for military spouses, EFMP, and the Family Advocacy Program. Email naspffsc@navy.mil to request a Welcome Aboard package digitally.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for NAS Pensacola.
FL064
MHA
On-post housing at Naval Air Station Pensacola is managed by NAS Pensacola Housing, which operates family neighborhoods on and near the installation along Florida's Gulf Coast in Escambia County, with 2- to 4-bedroom homes featuring modern amenities and access to playgrounds, community centers, and Pensacola Beach minutes away. NAS Pensacola Housing provides 24/7 m…
Local Market
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Cost of Living Around NAS Pensacola
90
10% Below National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near NAS Pensacola.
School Liaison Officer
School Liaison
3
Elementary Schools
View schools
3
Middle Schools
View schools
6
High Schools
View schools
4
Colleges & Universities
View colleges
Education Resources
Notes, tuition & more
Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Pensacola is a popular tourist area located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, offering emerald-green waters and miles of white-sand beaches. The city has a population of nearly 53,000 and is part of Escambia County, with Santa Rosa County also nearby.
Housing options are available throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Some families also choose to explore options in Baldwin County, just over the Alabama border. The Navy Housing Service Center can assist with locating lodging in both areas as well as the surrounding communities.
The local area offers a wide array of recreational activities, including surfing, paddleboarding, fishing, diving, snorkeling, and swimming. For sports enthusiasts, there are multiple golf courses, a professional ice hockey team (Pensacola Ice Flyers), Minor League Baseball (Blue Wahoos), and various parks and sports complexes.
The Florida Panhandle offers mild winters with temperatures in the low to high 50s from November through February, and warm summers with air temperatures in the 80s and 90s from June through August.
Gulf Breeze
Suburban
Gulf Breeze is consistently the most popular community for NAS Pensacola families and sits on a peninsula between Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound, giving it exceptional water access from nearly every neighborhood. The school district is outstanding, crime is very low, and the overall quality of life is arguably the best near any Navy installation in the Southeast. The commute to NAS Pensacola via the Three Mile Bridge is quick.
Commute: 10–20 min
Gate: Main Gate (Navy Blvd)
Schools: Santa Rosa County School District
Families with kids
Dual military
Retirees
Outdoorsy types
National Naval Aviation Museum on base is world-class. Gulf Islands National Seashore access. Pensacola Beach is 10 min across the bridge. Santa Rosa County schools are among Florida's best. The water access and beach proximity make this a genuinely exceptional posting.
Navarre
Small Town
Navarre is a laid-back beach community east of NAS Pensacola that's become increasingly popular with military families who want a more relaxed coastal lifestyle at lower prices than Gulf Breeze. It sits along Santa Rosa Sound with some of Florida's most stunning white-sand beaches on the Gulf side. The community is primarily military and family-oriented with a quiet, low-key character.
Commute: 25–35 min
Gate: Main Gate (Navy Blvd)
Schools: Santa Rosa County School District
Families with kids
Outdoorsy types
Budget-friendly
Pet owners
Navarre Beach has been repeatedly voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the US. Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary for snorkeling. Eglin AFB's Blackwater River State Forest is close for hiking and tubing. Lower prices than Gulf Breeze for similar school district quality.
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at NAS Pensacola.
State Income Tax
None
Military Pay
No state income tax
Retirement Pay
No state income tax
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
Florida has no state income tax. Active duty pay, military retirement, and SBP payments are all completely untaxed at th…
Spouse Income Tax
Florida has no state income tax. Popular military domicile state.
Vehicle Registration
Active duty stationed elsewhere may maintain FL registration.
Property Tax
Homestead exemption up to $50,000. Disabled veterans may receive additional exemptions.
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Pet Policies at NAS Pensacola
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at NAS Pensacola.
Emergency Vet
11 mi
Veterinary Emergency Referral Center
4800 N Davis Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32503(850) 477-3914On-Base Vet Clinic
NAS Pensacola Veterinary Treatment Facility
Phone
(850) 452-6882Hours
Monday - Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
View services
Restricted Breeds
7
Prohibited Animals
12
Dog Parks
5
Boarding & Kennels
7
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Leash Laws
Pet-Friendly Housing
Local Pet Notes
Required Vaccinations
Pet Shipping Tips
Temporary Lodging
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at NAS Pensacola.
Commissary
1
NAS Pensacola Commissary
Click2Go Available
Exchange
NEX
Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Medical
3
Naval Branch Health Clinic — Clinic
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
Youth Programs
MWR & Recreation
4
Fitness Center
Golf Course
Employment & Education
3
Education Center
Spouse Employment
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about NAS Pensacola.
01
Are any base gates open 24 hours?
4 of NAS Pensacola's 6 gates operate 24/7; others have restricted hours or access levels. See the Gates section for individual gate schedules.
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02
What is the base hospital or clinic?
Naval Hospital Pensacola is the primary military treatment hospital serving NAS Pensacola. Call (850) 505-6601 for appointments or the nurse advice line.
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03
Is there a childcare center on base?
Yes, NAS Pensacola has two Child Development Centers (CDC) offering full-day and part-day programs. Waitlists fill quickly — register at MilitaryChildCare.com as soon as orders are received.
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04
Is there temporary lodging on base?
Yes, NAS Pensacola has on-post temporary lodging available for incoming PCS personnel and TDY visitors. Reserve early — spaces fill fast during peak PCS season (May through August). Options include the Navy Lodge Pensacola and the Oak Grove and Blue Angel RV Parks.
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05
What school district serves the base?
Escambia County School District (rated C+) serves most military families at NAS Pensacola. Visit https://www.escambiaschools.org for enrollment info and the school finder tool. Nearby school districts for families living off base include Santa Rosa County Schools (B+) and Baldwin County Schools (A-).
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06
Are there pet breed restrictions on base?
Yes, on-base housing at NAS Pensacola restricts certain breeds including Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, and others. Contact the housing office or review your lease addendum for the full restricted breeds list.
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07
Is there a gym on base?
Yes, NAS Pensacola has a fitness center available free of charge to active-duty, Reserve, and retired members and their eligible family members. Contact MWR for current hours and locations.
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08
Is military pay taxed in Florida?
Florida has no state income tax, so military members at NAS Pensacola owe no state taxes on military pay, allowances, or retirement income.
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09
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination. Visitors who wish to visit the Naval Aviation Museum may get a day-pass at the Visitor Control Center then enter through the West Gate.
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10
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for NAS Pensacola.
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11
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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12
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near NAS Pensacola.
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Question
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.