Overview
- Approximately 864 non‑mission essential personnel from Guantanamo Bay arrived in Pensacola on Oct. 25–26 aboard five flights, according to Navy releases.
- Fleet and Family Support Center staff are providing one‑stop intake, lodging and assistance with help from the Navy Lodge/Inn, NEX, NMCRS and the American Red Cross.
- More than 350 pets accompanied families and are being housed in temporary kennels under a precautionary quarantine.
- Hurricane Melissa reached Category 5 strength over Jamaica on Tuesday and is forecast to affect parts of Cuba next, while Florida is not in the projected path, per NOAA and Navy reporting.
- Guantanamo has moved remaining residents into shelters and curtailed routine activity, and Pensacola was selected as the reception hub given its airfield, deep‑water port and prior evacuee operations.