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Retiring NAS Pensacola spokesman works last Blue Angels shows
Melissa Nelson Gabriel
Pensacola News Journal
At 4:30 a.m. Friday, Naval Air Station Pensacola spokesman Patrick Nichols stood outside in unusually chilly weather for a live interview with a local morning show.
Nichols encouraged viewers to come out for the base's annual Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show, which kicked off Friday and continues Saturday.
Later Friday, he joked about trying to look cheerful in the wind and cold.
"We were like, 'Come on out, it's going to be a beautiful day for an air show,'" said Nichols, laughing as he prepared for another live interview.
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It's all part of the job for Nichols, who has served as the base's public information officer since 1996 after starting his career at the base in 1974 at the Navy's Photography School.
Nichols, 63, plans to retire Jan. 3. The 2018 Homecoming Air Show is the last one he will work in an official capacity.
Capt. Christopher Martin, the commanding officer of NAS Pensacola, said translator is a good word to describe Nichols' job.
"He translates military jargon into something people can understand, and that job is absolutely critical," he said. "Since day one, he had been standing right beside me making sure what I say is the right thing and keeping me out of trouble."
Keeping track of the many aspects of the air show isn't easy. Nichols drove a golf cart around the air strip Friday to check on various media representatives
Angie and Gregg Stansbery of Stansbery Photography follow the Blue Angels around the country and photograph the team. They have been coming to Pensacola air shows for 18 years.
Angie Stansbery greeted Nichols with a hug when he pulled up in his cart.
"It's going to be terrible without him here," she said. "We can always call him and he always helps us out with whatever we need."
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In addition to his work at the base, Nichols retired as a major from the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He was attached to the 919th Special Operations Wing and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
As a special thank you for his long service to the base and the military, the Blue Angels gave Nichols a ride earlier this week.
Nichols said it was unforgettable and helped remind him what a special place Naval Air Station Pensacola is.
"Riding with them, it is a whole different experience to actually be in the cockpit when they are doing those loops," he said. "I just feel like I am really lucky to have been able to have worked here and to have had all of the experiences I have had."
Melissa Nelson Gabriel can be reached at mnelsongab@pnj.com or 850-426-1431.
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