NAS Pensacola, the "Cradle of Naval Aviation", sits southwest of the downtown Pensacola area and is best known for training Naval Aviators and Naval Flight Officers for deployment to the fleet and the aircarft that serve the Naval Forces of the USA.  This includes Navy pilots and and weapon specialists as well as US Marine Corps counterparts and also the Coast Guard aviation officers.  In addition, one of the largest Navy schools for aviation specialties in the enlisted ranks is headquartered at NAS Pensacola.  Sherman Field is the correct designation for the airfield itself and houses several US Navy training squadrons including an Air Force detachment for training their weapons officers and even a German Air Force training contingent. The facilities at NAS also host Coast Guard cutters at the port (2 currently with 4-5 expected to be assigned) and a myriad of other smaller US Navy admin staffs headquartered here.

The most famous tenant activities here must be the US Navy Flight Demonstration Team, of course known as the Blue Angels.  Currently flying F/A 18 Hornets and one C-130 Hercules, the "Blues" are the hometown favorites and every proud Pensacolean claims them as brothers and sisters.  They scream down the beaches most every Sunday on their return home from an airshow to the enthusiastic cheers of the crowds below on the sugar white sand for which Pensacola is famous. It is a rush like no other.  Twice a year, at Pensacola Beach in July and then homecoming at NAS in November for the last show, they show off to their neighbors and friends of the area. It never gets old.

And the largest Naval aviation museum is housed at NAS Pensacola.  With 350,000 square feet of exhiitss and additonal 37 acres of grounds it is not to be missed. The National Naval Aviation Museum is a treasure and sits next door to another, the National Flight Academy, a premier civilian training facility for 7th-12th grade students specializing inthe STEM academic pursuits.

This cadre of military personnel live all over the area and primarily within a short drive to the air station.  Other facilities like Corry Station and the Saufley Field complex also bring families to this area.  Whiting Field, another large training facility near Milton, FL, a sort distance NW of Pensacola, brings additional sailors, officers and civilian support persons.

The real estate market is very much influenced by the military presence and especially NAS Pensacola.