Congressman Patronis Honors NAS Pensacola’s 200th Birthday on the House Floor
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) spoke on the House floor to mark the 200th birthday of NAS Pensacola, the cradle of naval aviation and proud home of the beloved Blue Angels.
Click here to view the Congressman's remarks on the House floor
Congressman Patronis: “Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 200th birthday of Naval Air Station Pensacola, the cradle of Naval aviation and home of the beloved Blue Angels. For more than two centuries, this installation has stood at the forefront of American military innovation. As the Navy’s first permanent air station and the birthplace of Naval aviation training, NAS Pensacola transformed into a defining pillar of our national defense. From its earliest days, training just a handful of aviators and operating only a few aircraft, Pensacola quickly became the proving ground for the future of warfare in the air. It trained the Navy’s first aviators, helped pioneer early carrier aviation techniques, and, at the outset of World War I, stood as the nation’s only naval air training station. Through every generation since, NAS Pensacola has continued to shape the course of history, preparing pilots for the challenges and evolving into the premier training hub for Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and allied aviators from around the world. Today, NAS Pensacola remains one of the Navy’s most vital training platforms, supporting more than 23,000 military and civilian personnel and graduating tens of thousands of service members each year. But beyond the milestones and achievements, we recognize something greater, the people. We honor every service member who has trained here, every family member who has stood beside them, and every sacrifice made in defense of our freedoms. To the men and women of our United States Armed Forces, past and present, we thank you. Your service is not just respected, it is remembered. Happy 200th birthday to Naval Air Station Pensacola. Here’s to the next century of excellence, innovation, and unwavering service.With that, I yield.”
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