Hurricane Causes Damage At Whiting, NAS and PNS

Aviation business are, like everyone else in the far-western Florida Panhandle, trying to get back on track after Hurricane Dennis roared through on Sunday. Many say the storm could have been much worse -- but they’re still assessing.

NAS Whiting Field

Like NAS Pensacola, Whiting Field sent aircraft out of harm’s way, flying them to other facilities around the country ahead of the hurricane. Those aircraft will be back by Thursday, according to officials at the base.

Remarkably, the entire field was evacuated by air in a span of just four hours, according to base spokesman Patrick Nichols, who spoke with ANN on Tuesday.

“We had quite a bit of damage,” Nichols said. “Roofs were blown off. A couple of hangar doors were blown in. Family housing is a mess.”

Power was still out at the base on Tuesday. Trees were down all over the grounds, Nichols said.

Whiting is home to Training Wing 5 as well as a squadron of H57s.

NAS Pensacola

The term “dodged a bullet” is a popular one at NAS Pensacola, where Hurricane Ivan did so much damage ten months ago. “The Naval Aviation Museum wasn’t damaged at all,” Cmdr. Craig Hoefer told ANN. The museum, which sustained substantial damage in Ivan, was expected to be reopened by Thursday at the latest.

“In all, it looks pretty good,” said NASP Public Affairs Officer Harry White. “A couple of buildings took hits – one hangar was damaged and power is spotty.” The hangar, housing Training Wing 6 and VT-86, sustained moderate damage, he said.

NAS Pensacola was back in operation Wednesday.

PNS

Pensacola Regional Airport was closed for two days in the wake of Hurricane Dennis. Two FBOs were damaged in the storm, while the main terminal sustained severe water damage in areas. The airport reopened on Tuesday, after authorities conducted a careful FOD search along the runways.

FMI: www.naspensacola.navy.mil, www.vpnavy.com/naswhiting.html, www.flypensacola.com