NAS Pensacola Suffers Major Damage from Hurricane Ivan

Careers	Info Index	About Us	Contact Us	Home

>>> Advanced Search

US Navy Today

About the Navy

Navy Leadership

Media Resources

Links of Interest

Information Index

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 Larger

Download HiRes

NAS Pensacola Suffers Major Damage from Hurricane Ivan
Story Number: NNS040917-15
Release Date: 9/17/2004 5:40:00 PM

By Journalist 1st Class (SW) Hendrick L. Dickson, Navy News Service

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 to assist with relief and recovery efforts. Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, Gulfport, Miss., have been busy during the initial response efforts, clearing roadways with bulldozers and chainsaws to ensure emergency response and relief vehicles have access to hurricane-damaged areas.

According to Navy officials, all personnel attached to the base are present and accounted for, and there are no injuries reported. Nearly 2,900 Sailors from NAS Pensacola were deployed to various shelters around the local community to work with the Red Cross to unload supplies and food.

Communications on and off the base have been erratic, as phone landlines are being restored to limited capability. Internet connectivity/Navy.mil Web site is down at this time.

For more news from around the fleet, visit the Navy NewsStand at www.news.navy.mil.

E-mail this story to a friend | Send a comment about this story

Related Stories:
Naval Air Technical Training Center Mega Building Reopens - 2/1/2005 High Interest Story