Naval air station, home of the Blue Angels, lies in tatters

St. Petersburg Times ^ | September 19, 2004 | JONI JAMES

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Naval air station, home of the Blue Angels, lies in tatters

By JONI JAMES
Published September 19, 2004

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PENSACOLA - The home of the Blue Angels was battered by Hurricane Ivan.

It will be weeks before the Pensacola Naval Air Station will be back to normal after hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to hangars and historic buildings.

"We were the first ones to show up, so we're the first ones to clean up," said Petty Officer Wayne Buchanan, 25, an electronics teacher.

Nearly 180 years after President John Adams commissioned this Navy base on the strategic shores of Pensacola Bay to help protect the Gulf of Mexico, the air station where Navy aviators earn their wings is bruised and broken. All 2,000 buildings on the base, including 577 homes, are believed to have been damaged.

But no one was injured. "That's the best news we had," Pruitt said.

All but 200 of the base's 12,000 population, including students, were evacuated.

Its picturesque historic port is reduced to windowless, doorless and roofless buildings, some of them partially collapsed.

The careful symmetry of Barrancas National Cemetery, where graves date to the Civil War and more than 30,000 veterans are buried, is disrupted by fallen oaks.

Modern bayfront barracks are sodden, the tin roofs ripped and rolled.

Only the fortified walls of the two-centuries-old Fort Barrancas, which stands on the bluff that lured Spanish explorer Don Tristan de Luna in the 16th century, appear untouched.

"Down by the port area was almost catastrophic," said base commander Capt. John Pruitt, who spent Hurricane Ivan holed up in the base's fortified command center. "We were stunned."

In 1992, after Hurricane Andrew tore through southern Miami-Dade County, the U.S. Air Force abandoned Homestead Air Force Base rather than rebuild.

But Pruitt said there's no such talk about Pensacola. The Navy is very mindful of trying to sustain historical structures.

Fresh after arriving from Nantucket, Mass., where the Blue Angels - the Navy's flight demonstration team - canceled a performance for this weekend, the team's leader, Cmdr. Russ Bartlett, toured the base with Chief Petty Officer Louis Arrazola and Master Chief Petty Officer Kevin Harris.

"It would be disingenuous to be flying air shows when we can be doing good work here," said Bartlett, who had ordered the Fat Albert C-130 transport plane used to support the Blue Angels team to be unloaded to make way for some cargo missions to ferry supplies and resources to the base.
[Last modified September 19, 2004, 06:04:21]

Florida headlines

 

• Returning to the earth
  Around the state
• Former U.S. House member hospitalized
  Hurricane Frances
• Healing, not ready to go it alone
  Hurricane Ivan
• 'It seems like it's the end of the world'
• Family wonders why trucker braved storm
• Nothing unscathed but patience
• Wake up, try to get a life back

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Ivan Devastates Pensacola - FR thread, updates.

 

The http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/blogs/stormteam/
has been doing a terrific job of posting updates, sometimes every ten minutes. Their photo galleries are what outsiders need to see. -  Eagle Eye

~*~

Pensacola News Journal 

 

 

Salvation Army Donations:

Checks –  The Salvation Army P.O. Box 279848 , Tampa , FL 33688

Credit Cards – 1-800 SAL-ARMY

 

www.salvationarmyflorida.org

For information or to volunteer: Call 1-800 996-ARMY

 

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Nearly 180 years after President John Adams commissioned this Navy base on the strategic shores of Pensacola Bay to help protect the Gulf of Mexico, the air station where Navy aviators earn their wings is bruised and broken. All 2,000 buildings on the base, including 577 homes, are believed to have been damaged.

But no one was injured. "That's the best news we had.."

Ping.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[USNBandit]

What about all the airplanes outside the museum. I bet the atrium is a mess. That really sucks.

[FreeKeys]

These sailors, airmen, soldiers and all the retired armed forces people who live in the area deserve our support and encouragement.

Remember how the MSM, ESPECIALLY SeeBS, called Florida for Gore BEFORE the polls closed in 2000, costing W an estimated 10,000 votes and Bore an estimated 6,000.
If anybody knows anybody who knows somebody in the Florida panhandle,
ENCOURAGE THEM AND THEIR NEIGHBORS TO VOTE NOMATTER IF THE MSM OR ANYBODY CALLS FLORIDA EARLY FOR EITHER BUSH OR KERRY even if they're still struggling to put their lives back together.

[SandRat]

Navy will call in the Sea-Bees and will have it back up in no time and we know the planes got moved out of harm. They're resilient down there have no fear.

My Dad is sad over this on a different count. He went through Cook and Bakers school in WWII at Pensacola NAS before being sent to the Pacific.

[Travis McGee]

Any word on the state of the Naval Hospital?

[MrsPatriot]

Is there a place to donate for clean up efforts? My dad was stationed there in the early '50s, I'd like to help.

[jeffers]

A report from a local newspaper said that there were a very few small leaks in the museum's roof, and that none of the exhibits inside were damaged.

The museum aircraft outside the building had a rougher time, getting moved around and hitting other aircraft, and there was some damage.

I have yet to see any photographs showing significant damage, and have seen some photos where the buildings looked fine, so at least some parts of the base survived.

Bush flew in there this morning, so we can assume the runways are intact.

[blackie]

Rebuilding Time ~ Bump!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Any word on the state of the Naval Hospital?

Pinging Cholera Joe for his "Death from Above" list, a military Freeper who may know.

Web link to the NAS - http://www.naspensacola.navy.mil/newsrelease.htm,

 

and Naval Hospital Pensacola are down now.

~*~

Some current stories, pics:

 

(click)

NAS Pensacola Suffers Major Damage from Hurricane Ivan
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Hurricane Ivan ripped through Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola in the early morning hours of Sept. 16, causing millions of dollars in damages.

Navy officials reported Sept. 17 that nearly 90 percent of the buildings on the base suffered significant damage.

The base is currently restricted except for emergency and disaster relief personnel, as they work to secure downed power lines and remove debris.

The Florida National Guard is en route ...

NMCB 1 Seabees Depart for Pensacola, Begin Disaster Recovery Operations
GULFPORT, Miss. (NNS) -- A team of Seabees departed Construction Battalion Center, Gulport, Miss., at 1 a.m. Sept. 17 for Pensacola, Fla., to establish a command center for disaster recovery operations.

Seabees with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 spent the night of Sept. 16 loading trucks with communications equipment and tools to assist with initial recovery operations. NMCB 1 officials received the order to deploy Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. and began preparations...

~*~

		040918-N-0000W-001 Pensacola, Fla. (Sept. 18, 2004) - Hurricane Ivan left a string of debris in front of "Admiral's Row" on board Naval Air Station Pensacola. Navy officials reported Sept. 17 that nearly 90 percent of the buildings on the base suffered significant damage. The base is currently restricted except for emergency and disaster relief personnel, as they work to secure downed power lines and remove debris. Ivan made landfall at Gulf Shores, Ala., at approximately 3:15 a.m. EST Sept. 16, with winds of 130 MPH. U.S. Navy photo by Harry White (RELEASED)		View Download
		040918-N-0000W-014 Pensacola, Fla. (Sept 18, 2004) - Hurricane Ivan sank and stacked boats at Bayou Grande Marina on board Naval Air Station Pensacola. Navy officials reported Sept. 17 that nearly 90 percent of the buildings on the base suffered significant damage. The base is currently restricted except for emergency and disaster relief personnel, as they work to secure downed power lines and remove debris. Ivan made landfall at Gulf Shores, Ala., at approximately 3:15 a.m. EST Sept. 16, with winds of 130 MPH. U.S. Navy photo by Harry White (RELEASED)		View Download
		040918-N-0000W-013 Pensacola, Fla. (Sept 18, 2004) - Hurricane Ivan sunk and stacked boats at Bayou Grande Marina on board Naval Air Station Pensacola. Navy officials reported Sept. 17 that nearly 90 percent of the buildings on the base suffered significant damage. The base is currently restricted except for emergency and disaster relief personnel, as they work to secure downed power lines and remove debris. Ivan made landfall at Gulf Shores, Ala., at approximately 3:15 a.m. EST Sept. 16, with winds of 130 MPH. U.S. Navy photo by Harry White (RELEASED)		View Download
		040914-N-0000W-015 Pensacola, Fla. (Sept 14, 2004) - U.S. Navy students line the hall in a barracks while waiting to be evacuated from Naval Air Station Pensacola prior to Hurricane Ivan's arrival. Navy officials reported Sept. 17 that nearly 90 percent of the buildings on the base suffered significant damage. The base is currently restricted except for emergency and disaster relief personnel, as they work to secure downed power lines and remove debris. Ivan made landfall at Gulf Shores, Ala., at approximately 3:15 a.m. EST Sept. 16, with winds of 130 MPH. U.S. Navy photo by Harry White (RELEASED)		View Download
		040918-N-0000W-012 Pensacola, Fla. (Sept 18, 2004) - Hurricane Ivan inflicted severe damage to much of Naval Air Station Pensacola. Navy officials reported Sept. 17 that nearly 90 percent of the buildings on the base suffered significant damage. The base is currently restricted except for emergency and disaster relief personnel, as they work to secure downed power lines and remove debris. Ivan made landfall at Gulf Shores, Ala., at approximately 3:15 a.m. EST Sept. 16, with winds of 130 MPH. U.S. Navy photo by Harry White (RELEASED)		View Download
		040918-N-0000W-011 Pensacola, Fla. (Sept 18, 2004) - Hurricane Ivan inflicted severe damage to much of Naval Air Station Pensacola. Navy officials reported Sept. 17 that nearly 90 percent of the buildings on the base suffered significant damage. The base is currently restricted except for emergency and disaster relief personnel, as they work to secure downed power lines and remove debris. Ivan made landfall at Gulf Shores, Ala., at approximately 3:15 a.m. EST Sept. 16, with winds of 130 MPH. U.S. Navy photo by Harry White (RELEASED)		View Download
		040918-N-0000W-010 Pensacola, Fla. (Sept 18, 2004) - Hurricane Ivan stacked boats at Bayou Grande Marina on board Naval Air Station Pensacola. Navy officials reported Sept. 17 that nearly 90 percent of the buildings on the base suffered significant damage. The base is currently restricted except for emergency and disaster relief personnel, as they work to secure downed power lines and remove debris. Ivan made landfall at Gulf Shores, Ala., at approximately 3:15 a.m. EST Sept. 16, with winds of 130 MPH. U.S. Navy photo by Harry White (RELEASED)		View Download
		040918-N-0000W-008 Pensacola, Fla. (Sept 18, 2004) - Hurricane Ivan damaged much of the infrastructure on board Naval Air Station Pensacola. Navy officials reported Sept. 17 that nearly 90 percent of the buildings on the base suffered significant damage. The base is currently restricted except for emergency and disaster relief personnel, as they work to secure downed power lines and remove debris. Ivan made landfall at Gulf Shores, Ala., at approximately 3:15 a.m. EST Sept. 16, with winds of 130 MPH. U.S. Navy photo by Harry White (RELEASED)		View Download
		040918-N-0000W-007 Pensacola, Fla. (Sept 18, 2004) - Hurricane Ivan removed the roofs of several buildings on board Naval Air Station Pensacola. Navy officials reported Sept. 17 that nearly 90 percent of the buildings on the base suffered significant damage. The base is currently restricted except for emergency and disaster relief personnel, as they work to secure downed power lines and remove debris. Ivan made landfall at Gulf Shores, Ala., at approximately 3:15 a.m. EST Sept. 16, with winds of 130 MPH. U.S. Navy photo by Harry White (RELEASED)		View Download
		040918-N-0000W-006 Pensacola, Fla. (Sept 18, 2004) - Hurricane Ivan removed the roof from Bldg. 27, the photo lab on board Naval Air Station Pensacola. Navy officials reported Sept. 17 that nearly 90 percent of the buildings on the base suffered significant damage. The base is currently restricted except for emergency and disaster relief personnel, as they work to secure downed power lines and remove debris. Ivan made landfall at Gulf Shores, Ala., at approximately 3:15 a.m. EST Sept. 16, with winds of 130 MPH. U.S. Navy photo by Harry White (RELEASED)

 

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		040918-N-0000W-005 Pensacola, Fla. (Sept. 18, 2004) - Hurricane Ivan removed the roof from Bldg. 27, the photo lab on board Naval Air Station Pensacola. Navy officials reported Sept 17 that nearly 90 percent of the buildings on the base suffered significant damage. The base is currently restricted except for emergency and disaster relief personnel, as they work to secure downed power lines and remove debris. Ivan made landfall at Gulf Shores, Ala., at approximately 3:15 a.m. EST Sept. 16, with winds of 130 MPH. U.S. Navy photo by Harry White (RELEASED)		View Download
		040918-N-0000W-004 Pensacola, Fla. (Sept 18, 2004) - One of the many buildings on Radford Boulevard, along the seawall on board Naval Air Station Pensacola shows damage from Hurricane Ivan. Navy officials reported Sept. 17 that nearly 90 percent of the buildings on the base suffered significant damage. The base is currently restricted except for emergency and disaster relief personnel, as they work to secure downed power lines and remove debris. Ivan made landfall at Gulf Shores, Ala., at approximately 3:15 a.m. EST Sept. 16, with winds of 130 MPH. U.S. Navy photo by Harry White (RELEASED)		View Download
		040918-N-0000W-003 Pensacola, Fla. (Sept. 18, 2004) - Portside, a favorite eating facility for Sailors and Marines on board Naval Air Station Pensacola sustained significant roof and internal damage from Hurricane Ivan. Navy officials reported Sept. 17 that nearly 90 percent of the buildings on the base suffered significant damage. The base is currently restricted except for emergency and disaster relief personnel, as they work to secure downed power lines and remove debris. Ivan made landfall at Gulf Shores, Ala., at approximately 3:15 a.m. EST Sept. 16, with winds of 130 MPH. U.S. Navy photo by Harry White (RELEASED)		View Download
		040918-N-0000W-002 Pensacola, Fla. (Sept. 18, 2004) - The marina at Bayou Grande on board Naval Air Station Pensacola sustained significant damage from Hurricane Ivan. Navy officials reported Sept. 17 that nearly 90 percent of the buildings on the base suffered significant damage. The base is currently restricted except for emergency and disaster relief personnel, as they work to secure downed power lines and remove debris. Ivan made landfall at Gulf Shores, Ala., at approximately 3:15 a.m. EST Sept. 16, with winds of 130 MPH. U.S. Navy photo by Harry White (RELEASED)		View Download
		040915-N-0206B-021 Panama City, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2004) – Waves continue to crash into the pier at Panama City Beach’s pier park as Hurricane Ivan approaches the Gulf Coast. Ivan made landfall at Gulf Shores, Ala., at approximately 0315 EST on Sept. 16, with winds of 130 MPH. Two fatalities were reported in Panama City and homes and businesses along the Emerald Coast sustained minimal rain and water damage to their properties. U.S. Navy photo by Jacqui Barker (RELEASED)		View Download
		040915-N-0206B-047 Panama City, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2004) – A tornado spun by Hurricane Ivan, makes its way inland from St. Andrew’s state park area toward Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City. Two fatalities were reported in Panama City and homes and businesses along the Emerald Coast sustained minimal rain and water damage to their properties. Ivan made landfall at Gulf Shores, Ala., at approximately 0315 EST on Sept. 16, with winds of 130 MPH. U.S. Navy photo by Jacqui Barker (RELEASED)		View Download

[SandRat]

A while back about 10 or so years ago he and Mom went to Hawaii for for their 40th anniversary. While there they drove out to Kaneowai (sp?) Naval base where he was for a time just to see if they'd let him on to look around at the areas that he was at for about 6 months before he got sent further into the Pacific theater. To his surprise they not only let him and Mom on but found a young Navy Petty Officer Second Class (E-5) to ride with them and take them around. They we're even taken to the NCO Club by the Marine for lunch. Who says vets aren't a big family.

[ApplegateRanch]

(I always knew President & Founding Father John Adams was smart and fore-sighted, but I had no idea he was so forward looking as to establish a Naval Air Station about 100 years before Naval Aviation became a reality.)

Thanks for the Salvation Army donation link.

Any info on how the USS Alabama Memorial & related ships in Mobile Bay faired?

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I haven't seen any recent news.

Rough duty:

Photo/AP

Battleship Memorial Park assistant director Pam Jeffcoat walks past trucks parked on the bow of the USS Battleship Alabama on Wednesday in Mobile, Ala. About 40 employees and their family members are riding out Hurricane Ivan onboard the ship. - link

[Happy2BMe]

BUMPING a sad thread. The Blue Angels have a grand tradition of being among America's Very Finest.

It will be a steep climb back - BUT THEY WILL BE BACK - ping.

What is the current plane they fly?