The hard charging VAQ-131 Lancers recently returned San Diego for round two of deployment. With all four jets and half the squadron in tow, they arrived at NAS North Island.
After situating everyone in their respective quarters and a short night’s sleep, squadron members were assembled and ferried back to North Island where they watched the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) dock. As the first half of the squadron walked aboard and settled in, the remaining members packed up and departed for Whidbey Island on the second airlift in as many days.
Friday evening saw the arrival of the remaining members of the squadron including the Intelligence team.
September 30, 2010
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The new Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Security Office officially opened Sept. 22, consolidating security spaces and providing more streamlined processes for the installation’s security team.
Located in what was once the base Navy Calibration Laboratory, the new upgraded security building now includes physical security equipment, communication systems with fiber optics, an armory and vault equipment and electrical upgrades.
The renovated space includes administration, communication and fingerprint rooms, evidence storage, breathalyzer equipment, file spaces, additional storage, training, briefing and a conference room.
September 30, 2010
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During the Electronic Attack Awards Ceremony, Capt. Thomas Slais, Commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet recognized the VAQ-133 Wizard Maintenance Department’s commitment to excellence by presenting them with the coveted “Golden Wrench” Award as Prowler Maintenance Department of the Year.
The award honors the superior practices of the Wizard maintainers. Earlier this year the Wizard maintenance team was nominated by the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) for the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award, recognizing them for having one of the top two small command maintenance programs in the Navy.
“I love being involved with a group that takes such pride in professionalism,” said Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class (AW) Alex Young, when asked how he felt about all the recognition that the Wizard maintenance team has been getting. “I love being around such talented people that do things right because it’s the right way to do it.”
September 30, 2010
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Naval Air Station Whidbey Island hosted a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) Recognition Day ceremony at the POW/MIA Sentinel Memorial on the Seaplane Base, Sept. 17.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day honors the courage of those who were held as prisoners of war in foreign conflicts and ensures those who remain missing in action are never forgotten.
Lt. Cmdr. Brian Danielson, of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129, who expatriated his father Capt. Ben Danielson’s remains from Laos and laid him to rest June 15, 2007 spoke to the crowd of more than 200.
During his speech, Danielson began by reading the POW’s code of conduct, “Words that tend to be forgotten after basic training but is always refreshed and re-enforced throughout a service member’s career.”
September 23, 2010
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A little more than four years ago Aviation Support Equipment Technician 3rd Class Emily Youngblood wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, other than get out of Orange, Mass.
The little town in the northwest part of the state had a population of 6,000 and young people tended to get a job after high school and just stay there, said Youngblood.
By the time she was 20, Youngblood said she had had enough.
“I started to panic one day,” said Youngblood. “I was a waitress and didn’t like the options I had in that town.”
So, following her grandfather’s and several cousin’s example, she joined the Navy.
September 23, 2010
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Coming in early December or late January - but not in the middle of the holiday movie season - the Skywarrior Theatre is getting a spiffy new makeover thanks to the base taking second place in the Commander-in Chief’s Installation Excellence Award (IEA) competition earlier this year.
The theater was originally built in 1942 as a storage building complete with loading ramps and oversized doors until it was converted into an auditorium in the 1970’s. It’s been well used for a lot more than movies over the last 40 years and it’s overdue for some well-deserved remodeling according to Deborah Brockway, business activities manager for NAS Whidbey Island MWR.
Along with bragging rights as the best naval air station, the base received $250,000. Following the recommendation of the Quality of Life committee, former NAS Whidbey Island commanding officer, Capt. Gerral David directed that the money be spent to upgrade the Sailors’ top priority, the base theater.
September 23, 2010
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Patrol Squadron (VP) 46 combat aircrews and maintainers are split among several detachment sites in 5th and 7th Fleets in their 2010 deployment. Despite the thousands of miles that may separate personnel, the squadron has operated seamlessly since leaving Whidbey Island in late spring of 2010.
VP-46 has completed a wide variety of combat missions while maintaining readiness and training requirements. In 5th Fleet alone, Grey Knights have flown missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, vigilantly supported the USS Eisenhower (CVN 69) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as they transited through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as participating in an international anti-submarine warfare exercise with British surface, air and subsurface assets.
The squadron has set new standards of excellence to transcend their motto, “The Oldest and the Best,” at every level of operation. Halfway through deployment, VP-46 has maintained a near 100 percent mission completion rate with no signs of relenting. The squadron’s success is due to mutual cooperation between aircrew and the maintenance personnel who keep the aircraft flying.
September 16, 2010
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A team made up of 21 members of active duty and civilians gathered together as “Team Navy,” in Skagit County Fairgrounds Sept. 11-12 for a Bike for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Ride.
The Bike MS Ride was a two-day ride ranging from 22 to 92 miles throughout the Whatcom, Island and Skagit Counties. The routes consisted of figure-8 loops that started and finished at Rider Village at the Skagit County Fairgrounds in Mount Vernon, Wash.
The ride was an opportunity for bike enthusiasts to raise funds and awareness about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
“I’m here because I’m a second generation MS person. My dad had MS, and he died from it when he was only 48 years old, and eight years after he died, I was diagnosed with it,” said Sharon Dodge, wife of Cmdr. Bill Dodge, commanding officer of Navy Information Operations Command Whidbey Island.
September 16, 2010
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On the occasion of NAS Whidbey Island’s 68th birthday, Sept. 21, Public Affairs put together a timeline in 10-year increments beginning in 1942 to recall base news, popular movies, music, TV shows, sports and fads of the times. The air station’s longevity as a major installation on the West Coast is due in part to the hard work and pride of Sailors and civilian employees over the last six decades.
With a birthday comes cake, so to celebrate, the Admiral Nimitz Hall (Galley) award-winning bakers will prepare a special cake for new NAS Whidbey Island base commanding officer, Capt. Jay Johnston, to cut at 11 a.m. Sept. 21.
“At 68, NAS Whidbey Island continues to lead the way into the future for Naval Aviation as we host the transition of both the VAQ and VP communities into the most modern aircraft,” said Johnston.
September 16, 2010
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In one of the most rigorous stages of pre-deployment work-ups, VAQ-141 Shadowhawks once again proved they are leaders in the Airborne Electronic Attack Community. After spending almost four weeks in classroom refreshers on the tactics of the Electronic Attack mission, they headed to the high desert of NAS Fallon, Nev. to begin the flight portion of the Electronic Warfare Advanced Readiness Program (EWARP) in the EA-18G Growler.
During the two weeks in Fallon, EWARP presented challenging training in Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), Surface to Air Missile Counter Tactics (SACT), Reactive SEAD, and the squadron’s new mission, air-to-air tactical intercepts. While aircrew are very familiar with the legacy missions of the EA-6B Prowler, the air-to-air portion presents new challenges and ever changing tactics in the EA-18G Growler community in its first year of operational employment.
Initiating the workup cycle in preparation for eventual deployment, EWARP gave the Shadowhawks the unique opportunity to be instructed on the newest tactics by the Electronic Attack Weapons School (EAWS). A thorough debrief of every flight by the Weapons School instructors further enhanced the level of training received on the Fallon ranges. This helped the squadron assess their current level of readiness and remain on track as they continue the work- up process over the next several months.
September 16, 2010
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