The Colonial Air Carrier Atlantia, with Admiral Nagala commanding arrived in the Gulf of Mexico with a host of civilian ships in tow or appearing nearby that were disoriented by their sudden transportation. By 0427, three quarters of an hour after arriving, Nagala had begun open wireless broadcasts and launching Viper flights to seek out and lead Colonial aircraft together where they could be further organised and supported by the military carrier. Drifting west, a Viper flight saw land and reported ground lights: Pensacola.