The power to Fly.
Capt. Chandra Newman, NAS Pensacola’s Commanding Officer
By Magi Thomley Williams/Photos by Kate Treick Photography and provided
A self-described “straight-up, Florida girl,” Capt. Chandra Newman feels a strong sense of homecoming. She appreciates the “hospitality of Pensacola and the people” and the area’s unique pride in naval aviation. As Naval Air Station Pensacola’s Commanding Officer since November 2024, Newman embraces her roots in the area starting at Officer Candidate School.
She recalled her commissioning at the NAS Pensacola chapel and receiving her first salutes from her grandfather on the steps of the same chapel.
“I can’t express how much it just feels like home,” she said.
Her journey to become an aviator and eventually a CO was not predictable.
Newman said her parents didn’t have the means to take her places, but they did give her experiences by providing science experiments and magazines like National Geographic. She believes that such inspiration should begin early.
“I think it really starts in the children. I think it starts with those that influence the youth of today to pursue it,” she said.
Newman’s family did not include anyone who was an aviator, but they nurtured her aspirations anyway. Her love for flight has inspired the next generation in her family as well. Two of her nephews are following in her footsteps.
Newman was an education major in college, and that spirit thrives in her today.
“You mentor the youth of today. Feed the inspiration,” she said.
Newman believes there is a strong connection between arts and sciences, particularly in fields like aviation. She pointed out that aviation is not only about math and science by drawing an analogy with the works of creators like Gene Roddenberry and George Lucas, whose imaginative worlds sparked scientific advancements.
“Artists thought of that, and scientists said, ‘I think we can probably figure that one out,’” she said.
Newman sees this blend of creativity and innovation as central to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in both the civilian and military sectors. She supports that concept at the LEGACY outreach program, which stands for Leadership, Education, Growth, Advocacy, Culture and Youth. Through the program, high school Navy and Marine Corps JROTC participants attend an eight-week summer camp to earn their private pilot’s license and expose them to ideas and concepts they may not otherwise encounter.
While inspiring future generations is clearly important to her, when asked if it’s important that people continue to note that she’s the first woman commander at NAS, Newman sees both sides.
“I’m torn on that question,” she said. “There’s part of me that says I’m a naval aviator, I fly, I fight, I win. That’s my job. I’m fully qualified. I have gone through the same syllabus as everybody else, and everybody who gets to this level has proven themselves in the aircraft, as an officer, all the things. I’m a naval aviator. The female part is absolutely secondary to that.”
On the other hand, she does recognize that the reference is still important as an inspiration. If a country girl who never flew, even on a commercial airliner, until after high school, from a family that wasn’t affluent can accomplish what she has, and being female is part of the story that inspires, then, “So be it,” she said.
Newman offers learned advice that she recognizes may be difficult for some women.
“My philosophy is that the answer is always ‘no’ unless you ask,” she said.
If the answer is “no” now and someone hasn’t asked, or doesn’t know whom to ask, she suggests continuing to figure it out and keep asking. After all, the answer remains “no” if no one asks.
“What’s the worst that can happen?” Newman asked.
When asked about her Navy call sign, “Mamasan,” Newman hedges a bit.
“In good Navy tradition, call signs are rarely actually intended to be very cool; they tend to remind you of something to keep you nice and humble,” she said. “With any good call sign, there should always be a good story, and only about 10% of it’s true. Okay, so embellishments are absolutely approved.”
AS CO of NAS, the impact and reach of her assignment is staggering. Geographically, it encompasses 126 commands below I-10, including areas from Mobile to Okaloosa Counties, with 1,700 staff on NAS alone.
“The extreme ownership that comes with this base and the Blues and the pride of The Cradle of Naval Aviation, it’s special, and it’s unique too. We get to train the fleet,” Newman said.
Annually, over 60,000 military members pass through the gates of NAS Pensacola. For the Navy and the Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and weapons systems operators for the Air Force, all start here for officers. For enlisted, the base sees the largest boot camp accessions. Newman explained that 60% of the fleet trains here in Pensacola. For many Navy sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, NAS is their first experience of being away from home, and Pensacola becomes a second home.
In 2025, Newman will be presiding over celebrations honoring the Navy and Marine Corps’ 250th birthday. The Colonial Continental Army, Navy and Marines were established in 1775. Even more exciting for the commanding officer and history buff is the planned 2026 commemoration of NAS Pensacola’s 200th birthday. The base was established in 1826 by President John Quincy Adams.
“I have a three-year marathon run here; I want to see this base grow,” Newman said.
Opportunities abound. With local support, the base is still rebuilding and recovering from hurricane damage. She sees opportunities to build more partnerships with communities and schools. Professionally, she has enough time before she retires for another tour elsewhere, but she admits she does love it here.
“It’s a hard place to leave.”
