welcome to NAVAL AIR STATION Key West

On behalf of the men and women who serve and work at Naval Air Station Key West, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2023 Southernmost Air Spectacular featuring YOUR U.S. Navy Blue Angels! It is our hope that you will enjoy this exciting event with your family and friends.

The Navy has a long and proud history in the Southernmost City of the continental U.S. On March 25, 1822, Lt. Matthew Perry arrived in Key West aboard USS Shark to survey the island for a possible Navy port, planting a flag and claiming the island U.S. territory. The following year in 1823, Commodore David Porter returned with “The Mosquito Fleet” and built the first U.S. Navy buildings, establishing the Navy’s presence on the island. This year we celebrate 200 years of a Navy base in Key West!

The first naval flight recorded from Key West was on September 22, 1917, with Coast Guard Lt. Stanley Parker flying a Curtiss N-9 seaplane. On December 19, 1917, Naval Air Station Key West was established. Since then, the installation has served as a training facility preparing hundreds of thousands of aviators from all services, as well as allied nations, to preserve peace and protect the nation. NAS Key West is currently the Navy’s premier air-to-air combat training station and also home to a bustling port facility.

We have also selected very talented civilian performers for the Southernmost Air Spectacular. These performers have spent thousands of hours developing their amazing and exciting aerobatic acts.

The skill and training required by military aviators is evident in the U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron the Blue Angels. The incredible maneuvers the Blue Angels perform are actually the same fundamental maneuvers that are employed in aerial combat.

Spectacular flying, static displays, souvenirs and concessions. We are glad you are here to see your military in action!

Capt. Beth Regoli Commanding Officer Naval Air Station Key West

We Salute Two Of Our Local Heroes

JOHN PICCO & MATT PEARCE

We salute John Picco (left) and Matt Pearce, both Key West locals, for their service to our nation. Picco was commissioned into the Navy in 1993, earning the Navy Wings of Gold and flew in 9 di erent squadrons. A Top Gun graduate, Picco has over 3000 flight hours, 800 carrier landings and 80 combat missions. Matt Pearce has over 24 years of service in the United States Marine Corps and Navy. With over 50 combat missions, Pearce is the VFC-111 Public A airs O cer and the F-5 Program Manager.