Sheriff Defends Blue Angels Low Pass, Praises Korean War Hero

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons pushed back Tuesday against national media characterizations of last week's Blue Angels low pass at Breakfast with the Blues, calling the maneuver "the coolest thing" attendees experienced rather than the "terrifying event" some outlets reported.

Simmons, appearing on the Pensacola Morning News, said he witnessed the demonstration firsthand and was surprised by the national coverage. "I see that night, all these national news talking about a terrifying event at Pensacola. I'm like, that's not what happened," Simmons said. "That was the coolest thing that they've, that our guys have experienced in, in some time."

The sheriff dismissed criticism of the military flight team's safety record. "I certainly support the air shows, uh, anything beyond that, uh, I think it's just hyperbole," Simmons said.

During the interview, Simmons also shared details about meeting a Medal of Honor recipient who visited Pensacola this week. The decorated pilot shot down four MiGs during the Korean War but was sworn to secrecy for decades due to Cold War tensions.

"He was sworn to secrecy because at the time it was a cold war and no one wanted to say that we were at war with, with Russia," Simmons explained. The pilot kept the secret for 28 years, even from his wife. "I don't know how you do that as a married guy for 28 years," Simmons said.

The Medal of Honor recipient, now 101 years old and the oldest living recipient of the honor, participated in a Naval Introductory Flight Evaluation graduation ceremony at NAS Pensacola on July 15th—the same base where he began his aviation training decades earlier.

Simmons presented the honored veteran with an honorary deputy badge. "We still have heroes living among us and we should give them the respect that they deserve," the sheriff said.

The visit came as Escambia County and the Sheriff's Office celebrated their 205th anniversaries, both officially established July 21, 1821.