Pensacola Naval Air Station Forrest Sherman Airport - NPA in San Diego, California

The Cradle of Naval Aviation: NAS Pensacola Forrest Sherman Field and America's Military Flying Heritage

Naval Air Station Pensacola's Forrest Sherman Field is one of the most historically significant military airfields in the United States, operating since 1914 as the home base of U.S. naval aviation training. The station is where the Navy has trained the overwhelming majority of its aviators throughout the history of naval aviation, and it remains the starting point for the naval aviation training pipeline that produces the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviators who fly America's carrier and patrol aircraft. The Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron, one of the Navy's most visible public outreach programs, calls NAS Pensacola home.

Forrest Sherman Field is named in honor of Fleet Admiral Forrest P. Sherman, a distinguished World War II naval commander who later served as Chief of Naval Operations. The station and its associated National Naval Aviation Museum make NAS Pensacola a destination for aviation history enthusiasts, though access to the airfield itself is restricted to authorized personnel.

Frequently Asked Questions: NAS Pensacola Forrest Sherman Field

Is NAS Pensacola open to civilian aircraft?

NAS Pensacola is a military installation with restricted access. Civilian aircraft cannot land at or enter the airfield without specific military authorization and coordination. The National Naval Aviation Museum on the base does welcome civilian visitors by ground, subject to current base access procedures.

Do the Blue Angels fly from NAS Pensacola?

Yes, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team is based at NAS Pensacola and conducts their off-season training and administrative operations from Forrest Sherman Field. The team performs air shows at NAS Pensacola and travels to venues across the country during the demonstration season.

What is the National Naval Aviation Museum?

The National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola is one of the largest aviation museums in the world, housing more than 150 restored aircraft spanning the full history of naval aviation. The museum is open to the public and offers civilian visitors access to the base for museum purposes.

Who was Forrest Sherman?

Fleet Admiral Forrest P. Sherman was a distinguished U.S. Navy commander who served in World War II and later became Chief of Naval Operations. He is honored as one of the Navy's most accomplished aviators and strategists, and Forrest Sherman Field at NAS Pensacola carries his name as tribute to his service.

What training programs operate at NAS Pensacola?

NAS Pensacola is home to Aviation Officer Candidate School, Naval Aviation Schools Command, and the primary flight training programs for student naval aviators. The base administers training for Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard pilots and naval flight officers who begin their aviation careers at the Cradle of Naval Aviation.