U.S. President Donald Trump arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, aboard Air Force One to meet and greet service members and their families, Dec. 8.

This is the fourth time Trump has visited Pensacola. His first two engagements were held at the Pensacola Bay Center and the third was during a gathering at the Hunter Amphitheater in Community Maritime Park prior to the 2016 general election.

"Thank you, thank you all for coming out tonight," said Trump as he shook hands with those who bared inclement weather conditions just to get a glimpse of the president.

The president arrived at NAS Pensacola's Forrest Sherman Field accompanied by Florida House of Representatives, Matthew Gaetz.

Upon his arrival, NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer, Capt. Christopher Martin greeted the president.

"On behalf of all here at NAS Pensacola, it was an absolute honor and privilege to host President Trump onboard the installation," said Martin.

For those in attendance, meeting the commander-in-chief was an honor of extreme proportions.

"It's the top moment of my life," said Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Alexander Fenske. "To shake the president's hand and look him in the eye, it's definitely something I can tell my kids. It was a true eye opening experience."

Fenske's shipmates agreed.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Christian Klos-Dunn. "When you first join the military, it is embedded in you that he is the commander-in-chief. And now, to meet the man, shake his hand and look him in the eye, I was in total awe. I had no idea when I woke up today that I was going to have a chance at seeing the president."

NAS Pensacola, situated in Escambia County, employs more than 16,000 military and 7,400 civilian personnel. This includes major tenant commands; Naval Aviation Schools Command, Naval Air Technical Training Center, Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 and 23, the Blue Angels, and the headquarters for Naval Education Training Command.

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For more news from Naval Air Station Pensacola, visit www.navy.mil/.