Nearly 1,000 Staff from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Arrive in Pensacola

Nearly 1,000 staff from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba were flown into NAS Pensacola late Saturday night.

NAS Pensacola said this is a non-mission essential personnel movement. The military made the decision after Hurricane Melissa intensified.

"Approximately 864 non-mission essential personnel from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola...ahead of one of the strongest hurricanes of the 2025 storm season," NAS Pensacola says.

“The safety and well-being of our Navy family is always a primary concern,” said NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Chandra ‘Mamasan’ Newman. “The Sailors and civilian employees here are dedicated and adaptable, making sure they accomplish our Navy mission -- and right now that’s taking care of our Navy family from Guantanamo Bay.”

NAS Pensacola's Navy Lodge and Navy Inn provided lodging accommodations for Naval Station Guantanamo Bay non-essential personnel, and local American Red Cross representatives are also providing assistance.