Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Jelson25 · Public domain · source
Name	Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Location	Island County, Washington
Type	Navy Air Station
Built	1942
Used	1942 – present

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is a major aviation installation of the United States Navy located in Island County, Washington. Commissioned in 1942, it serves as a primary base for electronic attack and maritime patrol aircraft squadrons operating in the Pacific Northwest. The air station's strategic position supports training and operations across the Pacific Ocean and is integral to the defense infrastructure of the United States.

History

The station's establishment was authorized in 1941 following the United States' entry into World War II, with construction beginning promptly on land acquired near Oak Harbor. It was officially commissioned as **Naval Air Station Whidbey Island** in 1942, initially supporting patrol bomber operations against Japanese forces. Throughout the Cold War, the base expanded significantly, hosting Patrol Squadron 1 and transitioning to become the main operating base for the EA-6B Prowler and later the EA-18G Growler. Key historical events include its role during the Korean War and the Vietnam War, where its squadrons deployed extensively to Southeast Asia. The installation was also a critical site for Anti-submarine warfare training during the Cold War.

Facilities and operations

The air station encompasses two primary airfields: **Ault Field**, with two parallel runways capable of handling the largest naval aircraft, and the **Seaplane Base** at Crescent Harbor, originally used for PBY Catalina operations. Major operational facilities include the Charles H. Roeder Harbor for naval support vessels and extensive maintenance hangars for the EA-18G Growler and P-8 Poseidon fleets. The installation hosts the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center's **Growler** weapons school and a sophisticated electronic warfare range complex in nearby central Whidbey Island. Its operations are supported by the Naval Hospital Oak Harbor and the Fleet Readiness Center Northwest.

Based units

Primary tenant commands include **Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (CVWP)**, which oversees all Pacific Fleet EA-18G Growler squadrons such as VAQ-129, VAQ-130, and VAQ-132. The **Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (CPRW-10)** commands P-8 Poseidon squadrons including VP-1, VP-4, and VP-9. Other significant units are the U.S. Coast Guard's **Air Station Port Angeles** detachments, the Marine Aviation Training Support Group (MATSG) 53, and several Naval Reserve squadrons. The base also supports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Department of Homeland Security aviation operations.

Environmental impact and community relations

Operations, particularly of the EA-18G Growler, have been the subject of ongoing studies regarding noise pollution and its effects on Whidbey Island communities and wildlife, including the Southern Resident killer whales. The Navy maintains an active **Encroachment Management Program** and works with local governments like Island County and the City of Oak Harbor on land use planning. Environmental restoration efforts are conducted in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) at sites like the **Seaplane Base**. The station's **Public Affairs Office** engages regularly with community groups and the Whidbey Island Conservation District.

In popular culture

The air station and its aircraft have featured in several films and television series, notably providing backdrop footage for scenes in the television drama **The Last Ship**. The distinctive sound of the EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler has been referenced in local media and documentaries about naval aviation, such as those aired on the **History Channel**. The base's **Ault Field** control tower appeared in the film **An Officer and a Gentleman**, which was filmed at the nearby NAS Pensacola but used stock footage from several installations.

Category:United States Navy bases Category:Buildings and structures in Island County, Washington Category:1942 establishments in Washington (state)