The U.S. Navy Blue Angels took to the skies over Pensacola in a tribute flyover honoring the city’s grit in the days after Hurricane Sally hammered the Gulf Coast.
Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said he was grateful for what he called an incredible show of support as recovery from the September 2020 storm got underway. “This storm has impacted so many people in our community during a time when many of us were already facing challenging times, but I know we will recover,” Robinson said. “Pensacola is a strong, resilient community, and we will be even stronger once we get through this together.”
The flight demonstration team is based at Naval Air Station Pensacola, making the salute a homecoming of sorts for the squadron.
Cmdr. Brian Kesselring, the Blue Angels’ commanding officer and flight leader for the flyover, framed the flight as thanks to the region’s emergency workers and residents alike. “We hope this flight over Pensacola provides a touching display of appreciation for the thousands of Hurricane Sally first responders and the continued resolve of the people of this community,” Kesselring said. “We will get through this, just like we have so much this past year. We are all in this together.”
Sally had come ashore just days earlier as a Category 2 hurricane, leaving widespread damage across the western Panhandle and toppling trees and power lines throughout the Pensacola area.