Blue Angels "Cockpit-Experience" Hitting the Road Soon!

Blue Angels "Cockpit Experience" 7-25-2022 NAS Pensacola

Blue Angels "Cockpit Experience" 7-25-2022 NAS Pensacola

National Aviation Museum foundation Vice President Cindy McCalip invited me out to NAS Pensacola Sherman Field yesterday for an exclusive first look at an attraction that has been in the works for the last 3 years....The Blue Angels Cockpit Experience!

Now--I must say upfront that NOTHING compares with an actual ride in an F-18--which I was fortunate to experience in 2012 when I was invited to ride with the Blues as the Chairman of the School Board and community Key Influencer.  That was one of the most amazing rides in my life.  Very funny  Video here. of my 2012 flight......

But this cockpit experience is pretty awesome in it's own right---most especially because it will be shared with tens of thousands of fans (or more) who more than likely will never get to ride in the real F-18.

The attraction will also be a way to bring the museum to the people--as this interactive flight demonstration experience will be brought to locations all around the country, in conjunction with Blue Angels shows, to let citizens experience the cockpit of an F-18 Super Hornet in person.

Blue Angels "Cockpit Experience"
7-25-2022 NAS Pensacola

Those who come to the cockpit experience will sit in an exact replica of an F-18 cockpit and experience a 2 minute "mission" from the vantage point of the cockpit.  It has all the buttons, tabs, switches, gagues, and other electronics of an actual cockpit, I'm told.

"If I pull this, will I get launched for the bonus ride?" I quipped as I pointed to the ejection strap between my legs on the seat.  Obviously, none of these gagues or switches work.  But I couldn't resist asking.....

The cockpit was manufactured in Germany and shipped back to America earlier this year "After an extended delay in New York due to customs there" according to museum staff.  The trailer was built in Indiana and the entire attraction was just recently completed/assembled in Chicago and returned to NAS Pensacola--where it sits under a tent on the tarmac, very near where the restored F-4 Phantom Jet (which will be a feature of the soon to be constructed General Chappie James memorial) is parked currently.

Staff also discussed how this attraction will function as an ambassador to and for the Pensacola area.  "That truck is going to be wrapped and decorated/painted with 'Visit Pensacola' logos and iconic features like the Pensacola Beach 'Beachball' watertower and it is going to say something along the lines of 'follow me to Pensacola!'" the staff explained.  "Lots of folks don't know Pensacola is the home of the Blue Angels so we want to promote that and also promote this area at the same time" staff explained.

The goal will be to work together with Visit Pensacola on getting this attraction out and visiting places all around the country.  According to staff, a full time driver and attraction attendant/curator have already been hired and the "rig" is set to make it's debut in Chicago at the Chicago Airshow later this year.

"Whenever we take it out on the road it gets LOT's of attention--folks waving, smiling and honking" McCalip said.  

What a great way to let people learn about the Blue Angels  AND our area at the same time!  Goodwill, a great story for a great institution and a great community!

Blue Angels "Cockpit Experience" 7-25-2022 NAS Pensacola

Blue Angels "Cockpit Experience" 7-25-2022 NAS Pensacola

Thursday's Vote on NFCU's Land Purchase From Escambia County: Step One in Getting the People's Money Back!

Upon approval of the MOA with NFCU on Thursday and the subsequent sale of 98 acres of OLF 8 to NFCU, County taxpayers will recoup $4.19 Million of the nearly $18 Million spent acquiring OLF 8 from the Navy.

Although I had hoped to get the MOU approved last Thursday night and that did not happen--It appears as if we will get the deal approved tomorrow morning that will allow for the sale of 98 acres of our 636 acre OLF 8 field to NFCU.

And with this deal getting approved we will begin the process of recouping nearly $18 Million Dollars that the county expended in acquiring OLF 8 from the Navy earlier this year.

The process was long, and once this field is master-planned and developed--I believe the taxpayers of Escambia County that financed this purchase will more than be made whole.  In fact--I do not believe it to be outside of the realm of reality that we double the money we spent to get this field once we develop it.  We have actually had one offer to purchase the entire field for more than what we have invested thus far!  (we did not act on that offer)

Additionally, if we are intelligent with the way we develop this field, we will be able to receive a Triumph Gulf Coast grant for as much as $30 Million Dollars in additional funding so long as we create at least 1,000 good jobs with this property--which I have every confidence we can and will do. 

So the future is bright and getting brighter all the time as it pertains to Escambia County's ownership and control of this property.  It will create jobs, it will provide amenities for the Beulah Community and for the employees of NFCU as well as the county as a whole.

This process, the process of getting all the peoples' money back, begins with tomorrow's vote to approve this MOA with NFCU.

Upon approval of the MOA Thursday, the property sales transaction will close and Escambia County will be paid $4,192,000.00.  These proceeds will be credited back to the LOST fund (s) from where they came originally---and these funds can be utilized by the BCC to fund much needed infrastructure projects throughout the county.

Tomorrow is step one, and tomorrow is a big day.

Today Was a Huge Day for Escambia County and the US Navy!

Attending today's deed-swapping ceremony were (l to r, front) Escambia County Commissioner Robert Bender, Escambia County Attorney Alison Rogers, NAVFAC SE Associate Counsel Susan Bird, Escambia Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, (back row, l to r) Escambia County Project Manager Cooper Saunders, Deputy County Administrator Matt Coughlin, Escambia County Administrator (acting) Amy Lovoy, NAVFAC SE Executive Officer CAPT Gil Manalo, and NAVFAC SE Asset Manager Bub Lenoir.

After decades of initiatives, years of planning, multiple strategy sessions, and countless meetings--we finally reached the finish line today.

As I explained yesterday, today was the big day we have all been waiting for. 

We took possession of the OLF 8 field in Beulah today, and we gave the property deed for OLF X in Santa Rosa County to representatives of the Navy. 

Tomorrow at 0900, the Navy will have a ceremonial ribbon cutting at their new field--so tomorrow will be a huge day for Naval Aviation, NAS Whiting Field, and Santa Rosa County.

But today was our big day.

NAVFAC SE XO CAPT Gil Manalo presented
a commemorative plaque to staff today

Today's deed exchange took place at 2:00PM with very little fanfare, in the lobby of our chambers downtown.  Representatives from NAVFAC SE in Jacksonville, County Staff, and County Commissioners took part in this brief but profound ceremony.

15 short minutes after it started, it ended.

And now we own 636 prime acres of real estate in Beulah.  Although we (Escambia County) paid a lot for this property--recent appraisals peg the value of our soon-to-be acquired property in Beulah at between $46K and $51K per acre.  This means this huge field could be worth as much as $32 Million in the current red-hot real estate market in this booming community.  This means Escambia County taxpayers will be taking possession of an asset that is valued as much as $14.5 Million over the cost of acquisition---on day one. 

The signed deed to OLF 8 was presented to Escambia County today

Yes, this is a big deal for Escambia County.  It is also a huge win for the US Navy and Naval Aviation.

This is what you call a  "win-win."

NAVFAC SE Challenge Coins were presented to staff today
by representatives of the US Navy

NAVFAC SE Challenge Coins were presented to staff today
by representatives of the US Navy

Big Day for NAVFAC SE and Escambia County Tomorrow

Today will be a huge day for Escambia County and the US Navy.  Later this morning, the last flight will take off from OLF 8 and shortly thereafter property deeds will be transferred between Escambia County and the US Government--and OLF 8 in Beulah will officially belong to Escambia County.

Tomorrow will be a huge day for Whiting Field and Naval Aviation in the Southeast though---as NAVFAC SE dignitaries and officials from NAS Whiting Field will take possession of OLF X in a ceremony at 0900 tomorrow morning at what will be their newly constructed field in Santa Rosa County.

Escambia County purchased, cleared, and constructed this new Navy facility in Santa Rosa County (Outlying Landing Field X) to the most recent DoD guidelines and specifications at a cost of nearly $17.5 Million Dollars.

In exchange for this, we will be given 636 acre site in Escambia County's Beulah community today.

Deputy County Administrator Matt Coughlin (a retired Navy Captain and former Commanding Officer of NAS Whiting) will represent the county at tomorrow's ceremony where he will present Navy dignitaries with the below "Key to the Field."  It will be a great day for them all!

This plaque will be presented to Navy Officials at tomorrow's ceremony at OLF X in Santa Rosa County

Although we (Escambia County) paid a lot for this property--recent appraisals peg the value of our soon-to-be acquired property in Beulah at between $46K and $51K per acre.  This means this huge field could be worth as much as $32 Million in the current red-hot real estate market in this booming community.  This means Escambia County taxpayers will be taking possession of an asset that is valued as much as $14.5 Million over the cost of acquisition---on day one!

Yes, this is a big deal for Escambia County today too--and tomorrow will be huge for the US Navy!

Win-Win

Big Day for Escambia County and the US Navy Tomorrow

Tomorrow at around 11:00 AM, a chopper like the one pictured above will leave the OLF 8 field in Beulah for the last time ---and Escambia County will shortly thereafter own this property.

Tomorrow the United States Navy and Escambia County will exchange deeds to transfer the property know as OLF 8 in Beulah to Escambia County, and OLF X in Santa Rosa County, to the U.S. Navy.

At 11:00AM,  a navy helicopter will land at OLF 8 in Beulah, and for the last time this helicopter will leave the field.  This will be the last time a Navy helicopter leaves this field.  This is a ceremonial act know as a "fly off"

Once airborne, I'm told a call will be made from the chopper directly to Navy Officials on the ground signifying that the helicopter has left and that the transfer of the property deed is authorized.

Three hours later, at 2:00PM, a small contingent of U.S Navy Officials, County Commissioners, and County staff will meet in the office of the County Attorney in Downtown Pensacola and at this point, the property deeds will be officially transferred, and we will officially own this property at this point.

Tomorrow is a big day for Escambia County and for the US Navy.  Huge day.

What's the Value of OLF 8 in Beulah, Part II

Above:  a portion of our most recent appraisal on 102 acres of the 636 acre OLF 8 site has been presented to the Escambia BCC

I did part one of this post last March.  I was right then, and the naysayers were dead wrong--and many of us knew it all along.

Today we got the proof.

Last March, as we pushed forward with completing the land transfer deal with the Navy for OLF 8, four of the five commissioners wisely voted to stay the course.  Utilizing only the sales data available at that time, and the most recent appraisals available for the property at that time, even the most casual observer just 10 months ago could clearly see that the value of the 636 acres of OLF 8 would at a minimum exceed the $17.5 Million taxpayers through the BCC expended to acquire this property.

It was really easy to see.  Except for those who would not accept reality.

So these naysayers pushed back.

One famously stated that the property "Was only worth $4.75 Million!" --which was ridiculously stupid and way, way, way off the mark.  Not surprisingly, others naively parroted that badly mistaken talking point.  But they were wrong then, and definitely proven so unequivocally now.

Today we received our first new appraisal on a portion of our soon-to-be acquired OLF 8 property.

As can be seen in the picture above, the appraisal for just this 102 acre part of the 636 acre property is $4.5 Million, or $45,000.00 per acre.  If that value holds true for the entire 636 acre tract, we will be looking at more than $28 Million in value--a value more than $10 Million dollars above our acquisition costs of $17.5 Million.

The moral of the story is this:  Just because somebody says something--even if they say it convincingly and with a straight face--does not make it true.

Luckily, the four of us had it right and pushed forward with the correct action, and now all the taxpayers in Escambia will reap the eventual benefit!

OLF X Construction is Moving Forward

Construction of OLF X in Santa Rosa County Florida, May 2018

Construction of OLF X in Santa Rosa County Florida, May 2018

As was announced at our last Committee of the Whole meeting several weeks back, the project to swap property in Santa Rosa County (OLF X) with property in Escambia County (OLF 8) with the U.S. Navy is rapidly moving forward.  It has been a long time coming....

I'm told the Navy is moving ahead with initial scheduling of the ceremonial hand off, scheduled to occur later this year.  The BCC anticipates a late December, early January timeframe for the BCC acquisition of OLF 8 in Beulah to be completed. 

We are getting to the finish line of the first part of this project.  Part II will be the development of the property in Beulah--more on that part later.

Construction of OLF X in Santa Rosa County Florida, May 2018

But before we get to do that, we have to finish the construction of the new OLF X in Santa Rosa County for the U.S. Navy.  And work toward that goal is continuing.

What Do You Do When You Are Trapped Under Ice?

Imagine being trapped under ice?  No, I'm not talking about the Punk-Rock band or the Metallica song--but actually being personally trapped under the ice in a flowing river?  First thing you would have to be is smart or you would be dead.

You would have to be focused on getting downriver to where you could see an opening.  If you could hold your breath long enough to get there, you could come up for air, pull yourself out of the river, and potentially survive.

But what if you were indecisive, upset about being trapped under ice and wanting to swim backwards, against the current, to get out where you fell in?  Would that be smart?  I don't think so.  Once you are trapped under ice, you would have to think quickly and act quickly to make the smartest possible decisions or death would be inevitable.  There would be no time for idle thoughts, abulia, or inaction, such as stopping your swim to contemplate how you found yourself trapped under ice...

"They told me the ice was thick enough to hold my weight--how could they do that?"

"I should not have fallen through the ice, I do not accept that I did, I refuse to accept this situation"

"I'm going to get that person who told me the ice was thick enough!"

etc. etc.

Here is the thing:  In this scenario, you are where you are, and the only thing you can do is make it to the next opening down river.  You can't go back in time and make the situation not occur.  You are not Stephen Hawking, you do not own a time-machine, you are not Superman (who could fly around the