Naval Air Station Whidbey Island held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of the installation’s new indoor wash rack, March 8.

The approximately $8.5 million project, dubbed Military Construction Project 160, was awarded to P&L General Contractors, Aug. 8, 2008. The 26,565 sq. ft. facility will be able to facilitate one P-3C Orion or P-8A Poseidon; or two EA-6B Prowlers or EA-18G Growlers for each cleaning sessions.

The guest speakers at the event were Washington State Representative Rick Larsen, who secured funding for the project through a congressional add-on, and the 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick West.

“Our nation’s commitment to NAS Whidbey means that Sailors will be flying here and washing planes here for a long time to come,” said Larsen.

“Technology is just that, it doesn’t go anywhere, it doesn’t do anything without people. Our people make the Navy go zoom,” said West. “For those folks and their quality of life, it’s absolutely imperative that we do everything we can to make it right for them; when you look here today, this is making it right for them.”

In a unique twist, the ribbon-cutting was conducted by West and Larsen using a pressure sprayer, which will be used for aircraft cleaning, from the wash rack itself.

An estimated $193.8 million are spent each year combating corrosion on Prowlers and 179.7 million dollars on Orion’s according to a Department of Defense Corrosion Office study published by CorrDefense magazine. The facility will contribute to reducing NAS Whidbey Island’s portion of that cost.

According to the maintenance requirements for each aircraft, P-3s must be cleaned every 28 days, an approximately three-hour process, and each EA-6B every 14 days, which takes about four hours. In the winter months, when inclement weather hits NAS Whidbey Island, it becomes necessary to use hand wipes for cleaning due to the cold and, for a P-3, the time frame extends to seven-and-a-half hours.

“It provides a kind of sanctuary for (the Sailors) to get inside out of the cold and out of the wind,” said Ensign Eric Johnson, NAS Whidbey Island Public Works assistant resident officer-in-charge of construction.

In addition to protection from the elements, the facility also increases safety and prevents injury by providing a fall arrest system for the Sailors conducting maintenance to strap into and improves efficiency with an oil and water separator that facilitates less water usage through recycling according to Johnson.

“This is impressive and this is a great quality of life initiative for our Sailors. For all of you who had a piece in this, thank you so much on behalf of all of our Sailors out there; you’re making a difference,” said West.