Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

U.S. Navy airbase in Washington state

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Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

Ault Field

Oak Harbor, Washington in the United States

An aerial view of NAS Whidbey Island

NAS Whidbey Island

Location in the United States

Coordinates| 48°21′07″N 122°39′21″W﻿ / ﻿48.35194°N 122.65583°W﻿ / 48.35194; -122.65583
Type| Naval Air Station
Site information
Owner| Department of Defense
Operator| US Navy
Controlled by| Navy Region Northwest
Condition| Operational
Website| Official website
Site history
Built| 1942 (1942)
In use| 1942 – present
Garrison information
Current
commander| Captain Eric Hanks
Airfield information
Identifiers| IATA: NUW, ICAO: KNUW, FAA LID: NUW, WMO: 690230
Elevation| 14.3 metres (47 ft) AMSL
| Runways

Direction | Length and surface
7/25 | 2,438.4 metres (8,000 ft) Concrete
13/31 | 2,438.4 metres (8,000 ft) Concrete
Source: Federal Aviation Administration[1]
FAA diagram of the runway area Aerial view of NAS Whidbey Island in the mid-1940s

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) (IATA: NUW, ICAO: KNUW, FAA LID: NUW) is a naval air station of the United States Navy located on two pieces of land near Oak Harbor, on Whidbey Island, in Island County, Washington.

The main portion of the base, Ault Field, is about three miles north of Oak Harbor. The other section, called the Seaplane base for the PBY Catalina flying boats once based there, holds most of the island's Navy housing as well as the air station's main Navy Exchange and DeCA Commissary. The NASWI commanding officer also has command of a satellite airfield, Naval Outlying Landing Field (NOLF) Coupeville, on central Whidbey Island at 48°11′24″N 122°37′48″W﻿ / ﻿48.19000°N 122.63000°W﻿ / 48.19000; -122.63000﻿ (Naval Outlying Landing Field Coupeville), roughly nine miles south of Ault Field. Primarily used for Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) by carrier-based jets, this field has no permanently assigned personnel.

NASWI supports the EA-18G Growler, MH-60S Seahawk, P-8 Poseidon, EP-3E ARIES, and C-40 Clipper aircraft.

## History[edit]

### 1940s[edit]

On 17 January 1941, almost 11 months before the United States entered World War II, the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations asked the Commandant of the 13th Naval District to find a location to re-arm and refuel U.S. Navy patrol planes defending Puget Sound. Lake Ozette, Indian Island, Keystone Harbor, Penn Cove and Oak Harbor were considered and rejected because of mountainous terrain, bluff shore front, inaccessibility, the absence of sufficient beaches, and lee shores. Within ten days, the commanding officer of Naval Air Station Seattle recommended the site of Saratoga Passage on the shores of Crescent Harbor and Forbes Point as a base suitable for seaplane takeoffs and landings under instrument conditions. A narrow strip of land tied Oak Harbor to what is now Maylor's Point Capehart Housing. Dredging, filling, and running water and power lines to the city were underway at the end of November when the word came to find a land plane site.[citation needed]

On December 8, three workers started a topographic survey of what would become Ault Field, about 4 miles (6.4 km) to the north. Construction of Ault Field started on 1 March 1942. The first plane landed there on 5 August, when Lieutenant Newton Wakefield, a former civil engineer and airline pilot, who later became the air station's Operations Officer, brought his SNJ single-engine trainer in with little fanfare. Everyone was busy working on the still-incomplete runway.

On 21 September 1942, the air station's first commanding officer, Captain Cyril Thomas Simard, read the orders placing the field in use as a Navy facility. U.S. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island was duly commissioned. A year later, on 25 September 1943, the land plane field was named Ault Field, in memory of Commander William B. Ault, missing in action in the previous year's Battle of the Coral Sea. Following the recommendation of the Interdepartmental Air Traffic Control Board, an area 2.5 miles (4.0 km) southeast of Coupeville was approved as an auxiliary field to serve NAS Seattle. Survey work began in February 1943, and work started in March. Naval Outlying Landing Field (NOLF) Coupeville was in use by September.[citation needed]

At Ault Field, the earliest squadrons of aircraft were Grumman F4F Wildcats, which came aboard in 1942, followed by Grumman F6F Hellcats. Later that year, Lockheed PV-1 Venturas arrived for training. By the end of 1943, all Wildcats were gone, replaced by the Hellcat. In 1944, Douglas SBD Dauntless dive-bombers became the predominant aircraft at Ault Field, while at the Seaplane Base, several Consolidated PBY Catalina and Martin PBM Mariner seaplanes were aboard in the summer of 1944, augmented by a few land-based Martin B-26 Marauders that arrived earlier that year to be used for towing targets.

After World War II, operations slowed and the station was placed on reduced operating status. Many naval air stations across the United States were closing because they could not meet the requirements on post-war naval aviation; 6,000 feet (1,800 m) runways were now the minimum standard and approach paths had to be suitable for radar-controlled approaches in any weather. Lockheed P2V Neptune patrol bombers, which arrived in the late 1940s, would eventually make up six patrol squadrons at NAS Whidbey.

### 1950s[edit]

The Korean War restored NAS Whidbey to life and expansion and construction accelerated. Throughout the early 1950s, Whidbey's primary land based patrol aircraft was the Lockheed P2 Neptune.

During the Korean War, patrol plane activity was stepped up again with several Naval Air Reserve units being called up and redesignated as active duty squadrons. By the end of the war, there were six VP (Patrol) squadrons and two Fleet Air Support squadrons based at Whidbey. In 1955, VP-29 returned from a deployment to the Pacific and was disestablished with its crews forming the nucleus of Heavy Attack Squadron Two (VAH-2), the first heavy attack squadron on the West Coast, the "heavy" designation reflecting its concentration on nuclear weapons delivery. Later that year, it moved to NAS North Island in San Diego to switch to the Douglas A-3D Skywarrior.

In 1958, the Heavy Attack Squadron Six (VAH-6), moved from NAS Moffett Field, California, where they had been the Navy's second nuclear attack squadron. As part of CVG-61/CVW-6, the squadron then made several WestPac deployments aboard the USS Ranger prior to transferring to CVW-8 for operations in the Mediterranean aboard the USS Forrestal. The squadron was transferred to Naval Air Station Sanford, Florida, in September 1965.

### 1960s[edit]

In the first quarter of 1960 a search and rescue (SAR) team was started at NAS Whidbey Island. Two Sikorsky HRS-2 helicopters, more commonly referred to as H-19 Chickasaws, were assigned to the SAR team soon to be replaced by two HRS-3's. The aircrewmen assigned to SAR were initially told this would be a two-year trial period during which time it would be decided if it would be permanent. If it didn't work it would be shut down.

In early 1965, patrol squadrons began to leave NAS Whidbey; VP-47 transferred to NAS Moffett Field and VP-17 to NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. In July 1969, the patrol community appeared to be reviving with the delivery of the Lockheed P-3 Orion as a replacement for the venerable Lockheed P-2 Neptune, but in September 1969, VP-2 and VP-42 were deactivated.

### 1970s[edit]

On 1 March 1970, VP-1 transferred to NAS Barbers Point, ending seaplane patrol operations by active forces at NAS Whidbey Island. This also brought Fleet Air Wing Four to an end on 1 April 1970, leaving Patrol Squadron Sixty-nine (VP-69), a Naval Air Reserve squadron, as the sole remaining maritime patrol squadron at NAS Whidbey Island. Then in the 1970s and beyond, 16 Grumman A-6 Intruder squadrons were based at NAS Whidbey Island. Whidbey was now the West Coast training and operations center for these all-weather, medium attack bomber squadrons. In October 1970, Heavy Attack Squadron 10 (VAH-10) was redesignated Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 129 (VAQ-129), the Navy's first Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler squadron and the sole fleet replacement squadron for Navy and United States Marine Corps Prowler crews. With the exception of a forward deployed EA-6B squadron at NAF Atsugi, Japan and a sole Naval Air Reserve EA-6B squadron (VAQ-209) at Andrews AFB / NAF Washington, Maryland, NAS Whidbey Island supported all of the U.S. Navy's Prowler squadrons.

### 1990s[edit]

In late 1993, with the pending closures of NAS Moffett Field and NAS Barbers Point, additional P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft came aboard NAS Whidbey Island, along with the associated staffs of Commander, Patrol Wings, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMPATWINGSPAC) and Commander, Patrol Wing TEN (COMPATWING 10). With the closure of Naval Air Station Agana, Guam, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE (VQ-1) also arrived at NAS Whidbey Island in 1994 with its Lockheed EP-3E Aries II aircraft. VQ-1 was placed under the clemency of COMPATWING 10 and the wing was redesignated Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TEN (COMPATRECONWING 10). With the disestablishment of Reserve Patrol Wing, VP-69 was also placed under COMPATRECONWING 10.

In 1997, the last Pacific-based A-6E Intruder squadron, VA-196 was disestablished after a lengthy deployment for WESTPAC 1996.

### 2000s[edit]

In January 2009, VAQ-129 accepted its first Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft which replaced the Navy's EA-6Bs.

### 2010s[edit]

Patrol Squadron 4 (VP-4) became the first squadron at NAS Whidbey Island to convert to the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in October 2016.[2] On October 31, 2016 the new P-8A training center at NAS Whidbey Island opened.[3]

## Present day[edit]

In all, there are 20 active duty U.S. Navy squadrons and three U.S Navy Reserve squadrons based at NAS Whidbey Island. The air station also maintains a search and rescue unit that flies two Sikorsky MH-60S Nighthawk helicopters, providing 24-hour day and night maritime, inland and mountainous rescue support for Department of Defense personnel and the greater Pacific Northwest community. The SAR Unit provides 15-minute alert coverage Monday through Thursday from 0800–0200 or last plane on deck, Friday 0800-2200 or last plane on deck and 30-minute alert coverage at all other times of the year. Additionally, SAR has organic SAR Medical Technicians on all missions it performs. NASWI SAR primarily serves military aircrews, but missions to help civilians in distress are often approved and executed.[4]

Over 50 tenant commands are at NAS Whidbey Island to provide training, medical and dental, and other support services, including a United States Air Force (USAF) squadron (390th ECS) which is an administrative unit supporting USAF officers assigned to some U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler squadrons. The base also continues its longstanding role as a center of activity for Naval Air Reserve operations and training in the region.

## Tenant squadrons[edit]

Insignia  | Squadron  | Code  | Callsign/Nickname  | Assigned Aircraft  | Operational Assignment  | Administrative Assignment

|
|
|
|
|
|

| Electronic Attack Squadron 129 | VAQ-129  | Vikings  | EA-18G Growler | Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS)  | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC)
| Electronic Attack Squadron 130 | VAQ-130  | Zappers  | EA-18G Growler | Carrier Air Wing Three | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC)
| Electronic Attack Squadron 131 | VAQ-131  | Lancers  | EA-18G Growler | Forward/Expeditionary Deployments  | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC)
| Electronic Attack Squadron 132 | VAQ-132  | Scorpions  | EA-18G Growler | Forward/Expeditionary Deployments  | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC)
| Electronic Attack Squadron 133 | VAQ-133  | Wizards  | EA-18G Growler | Carrier Air Wing Nine | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC)
| Electronic Attack Squadron 134 | VAQ-134  | Garudas  | EA-18G Growler | Forward/Expeditionary Deployments  | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC)
| Electronic Attack Squadron 135 | VAQ-135  | Black Ravens  | EA-18G Growler | Forward/Expeditionary Deployments  | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC)
| Electronic Attack Squadron 136 | VAQ-136  | Gauntlets  | EA-18G Growler | Carrier Air Wing Two | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC)
| Electronic Attack Squadron 137 | VAQ-137  | Rooks  | EA-18G Growler | Carrier Air Wing Eleven | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC)
| Electronic Attack Squadron 138 | VAQ-138  | Yellowjackets  | EA-18G Growler | Forward/Expeditionary Deployments  | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC)
| Electronic Attack Squadron 139 | VAQ-139  | Cougars  | EA-18G Growler | Carrier Air Wing Seventeen | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC)
| Electronic Attack Squadron 140 | VAQ-140  | Patriots  | EA-18G Growler | Carrier Air Wing Seven | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC)
| Electronic Attack Squadron 142 | VAQ-142  | Grey Wolves  | EA-18G Growler | Carrier Air Wing Eight | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC)
| Electronic Attack Squadron 144 | VAQ-144  | Main Battery  | EA-18G Growler | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC) until move to Carrier Air Wing One | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC)
| Electronic Attack Squadron 209 | VAQ-209  | Star Warriors  | EA-18G Growler | Commander, Tactical Support Wing (TSW)  | Commander, Tactical Support Wing (TSW)
| USAF 390th Electronic Combat Squadron | 390th ECS  | Wild Boars  | EA-18G Growler | 366th Operations Group | 366th Fighter Wing
| Patrol Squadron 1 | VP-1  | Screaming Eagles  | P-8A Poseidon | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)  | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)
| Patrol Squadron 4 | VP-4  | Skinny Dragons  | P-8A Poseidon | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)  | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)
| Patrol Squadron 9 | VP-9  | Golden Eagles  | P-8A Poseidon | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)  | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)
| Unmanned Patrol Squadron 11[note 1] | VUP-11  | Proud Pegasus  | MQ-4C Triton | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)  | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)
| Patrol Squadron 40 | VP-40  | Fighting Marlins  | P-8A Poseidon | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)  | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)
| Patrol Squadron 46 | VP-46  | Grey Knights  | P-8A Poseidon | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)  | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)
| Patrol Squadron 47 | VP-47  | Golden Swordsmen  | P-8A Poseidon | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)  | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)
| Patrol Squadron 69 | VP-69  | Totems  | P-8A Poseidon | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)  | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)
| Tactical Operations Control Squadron 10  | TOCRON 10  | Kraken  |  | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)  | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)
| Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 1 | VQ-1  | World Watchers  | EP-3E Aries II | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)  | Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten (COMPATRECONWING 10)
| Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 61 | VR-61  | Islanders  | C-40A Clipper | Commander, Fleet Logistics Support Wing (COMFLELOGSUPPWING)  | Commander, Fleet Logistics Support Wing (COMFLELOGSUPPWING)
| Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Search and Rescue  | NASWI SAR  |  | MH-60S "Knighthawk" | Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI)
| Electronic Attack Weapons School  | EAWS  |  | EA-18G Growler | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC)  | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC)
| Fleet Readiness Center Northwest | FRCNW  |  |  | Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI)  | Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers (COMFRC)

## Demographics[edit]

Whidbey Island Station is also a census-designated place (CDP); The population was 1,541 at the 2010 census.[5] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17.2 km2), of which 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2), or 0.30%, are water.[6]

## See also[edit]

* List of United States Navy airfields

## Notes[edit]

1. ^ VUP-11 to be established in 2025

## References[edit]

1. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for NUW PDF
2. ^ "VP-4 Welcomes Inaugural P-8A Deployment". Retrieved 7 August 2019.
3. ^ "Boeing-Equipped P-8A Training Center Opens at Whidbey Island". Retrieved 7 August 2019.
4. ^ "Search and Rescue". www.cnic.navy.mil. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
5. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Whidbey Island Station CDP, Washington". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
6. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Whidbey Island Station CDP, Washington". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2018.

## External links[edit]

* Official website
* FAA Airport Diagram (PDF), effective January 25, 2024
* FAA Terminal Procedures for NUW, effective January 25, 2024
* Resources for this U.S. military airport:
* FAA airport information for NUW
* AirNav airport information for KNUW
* ASN accident history for NUW
* NOAA/NWS latest weather observations
* SkyVector aeronautical chart for KNUW

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