Three years ago today, April 30, 2007, NAS Whidbey Island was contacted to aid in the search for three missing canoers off Lummi Point in Bellingham Bay. They had vanished the evening before while attending a barbecue. One of the missing was my son, Christopher Gust.
An exhaustive search was launched. At one time, five helicopters were searching for those missing as well as search and rescue scouring the beach, but nobody was found that day, or the next. Another intense search ensued the following weekend and still nobody was found. Finally, 17 days later, a body was recovered on the beach and identified the next day as my son.
With such great tragedy comes an endearing gratitude to everyone involved. I am forever touched by the strangers who took the time to look for my son, whether it be their duty or their passion, my life has been forever touched and changed. I have experienced the best humanity has to offer through this tragedy and for this I wish to give a heartfelt “thank you” to everyone at NAS Whidbey Island.
April 29, 2010
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Sailors from Center for Naval Aviation Technical Unit (CNATTU) Whidbey Island assisted Island County Habitat for Humanity on their latest project, a home is being built for Mike Brown and his family, who are 10-year residents of Oak Harbor.
“It’s great to see Sailors take time out of their busy schedules and help families in the community,” said Brown. “I feel truly blessed that everything is falling into place the way it is. The house is coming together nicely.”
Habitat for Humanity was established in 1976 by Millard Fuller and his wife, Linda to help eliminate homelessness throughout the United States. Since that time, they have built over 350,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.75 million people in 3,000 communities with safe and affordable shelter.
April 29, 2010
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Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11 returned home to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, April 12-16, from missions in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Djibouti.
Cmdr. Richard Hayes, EODMU 11 commanding officer, assumed command of Combined Joined Task Force (CJTF) Paladin South located at Kandahar Air Base in October 2009. Twenty-five EODMU 11 Sailors spent the past six months with Hayes in Southern Afghanistan and the 360-person force, coordinating command and control of EOD and counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) teams at the heart of the fight in Afghanistan.
EOD and C-IED teams conducted more than 1,122 missions, defeated more than 452 IEDs and disposed of more than 34,825 pounds (net explosive weight) of homemade explosives, unexploded ordnance and explosive remnants of war, removing them from enemy supply lines. They conducted more than 304 route clearance patrols and cleared 8,988 miles along key routes and highways.
April 22, 2010
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Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island Recycle Center conducted a waste characterization study April 14 to determine how much material is being diverted from the waste stream.
The recycle center conducted this study, nicknamed “Dumpster Diving,” with volunteers from various commands and civilian contractors all contributing to the project.
The Navy’s theme for Earth Day 2010, “Partnering for a Greener Future,” emphasizes the Navy’s partnerships with other military services, federal and state agencies, non-government organizations, industry, and civilians.
Paul Brewer, solid waste management director for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island said the teams “dumpster diving” each get a dumpster. They pull everything out of it to see if any of the items thrown away are recyclable or compostable.
April 22, 2010
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Marines and Sailors representing three commands on Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island assisted Oak Harbor High School (OHHS) with the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Northwest Drill and Rifle Conference Championships April 17.
In support of the program, more than 25 Sailors and Marines from Fleet Readiness Center Northwest (FRC NW), Marine Aviation Training Support Group (MATSG) 53 and Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Whidbey Island oversaw a physical readiness test-style competition, inspected drill teams and judged the color guard, armed and unarmed drill teams and the drill down competitions.
April 22, 2010
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Cmdr. Christopher Mid-dleton relieved Cmdr. Darryl Walker as Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139 “Cougars” commanding officer in a change of command ceremony April 22.
During Walker’s command, the squadron received the 2008 Battle “E” Award, the 2008 Safety “S” Award, the Humanitarian Service Medal for supporting Filipino survivors of Typhoon Fengshen and the 2009 Safety “S” Award.
“I’m proud to have been able to serve as your commander,” said Walker as he related the many well-deserved accomplishments the squadron had earned.
The change of command ceremony marked the end of Walker’s 13-month tour as “Cougar One.” He’ll be heading to San Diego, where he joins the Commander, Naval Air Forces staff.
April 22, 2010
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Shriners from the Nile Shrine in Mountlake Terrace, Wash., along with the Whidbey Island Shrine Club and South Whidbey Shrine Club, hosted two circus shows on the Seaplane Base April 15.
The show featured the Argentinean Fusco family, aerial ballet, juggling, balancing acts, animal routines and the high-wire Wallendas.
During a mid-show intermission, families were encouraged to make their way outside to the circus midway for high-wire motorcycle stunts, pony rides, elephant expeditions, face painting and carnival food.
Shriner Gene Gilbert, a retired Marine Colonel living in Oak Harbor, was the main driver to bring the circus to the island.
April 22, 2010
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The Officers’ Spouses’ Club of Whidbey Island (OSCWI) held their annual Time and Talent fundraiser on April 10 at the Officers’ Club. This year’s “Around the World” theme had commands and squadrons enjoying an evening of decorated tables, unique costumes and bidding that brought in over $7,000 in ticket sales and $11,000 in auctioned sales.
Funds collected through Time and Talent support local non-profit organizations throughout Island County and allow the club to offer scholarships to graduating high school seniors and military spouses in Skagit and Island counties. They’ll announce scholarship winners and organizations receiving donations at their last monthly meeting of the year at the club, May 24.
Raising funds and giving back to the community are just two of the reasons for this occasion. It’s also the only annual event in which all military branches and units of NAS Whidbey Island join together, participating in laughter, costumes, conversation – all for a good cause.
April 22, 2010
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To kick off the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Cmdr. David Latosky, commanding officer of Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Whidbey Island; along with Navy Whidbey Recycle and Forest City Residential, held a ceremony April 5 at Navy Whidbey Recycle.
“The improvements that have been made over the years have been incredible,” said Latosky. “When I joined the Navy, recycling was barely a thought. The regulatory mechanisms that are in place and the education that goes along with it has made all Americans conscious about the environment and in turn has made neighborhoods and the entire country a cleaner place to live.”
In the spring of 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a way to “force this issue onto the national agenda.” Later that year, Congress authorized the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This agency was the building block that has led to the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and other policies that have addressed environmental concerns across the nation.
April 15, 2010
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You just never know who you’re going to run into. Even better, you never know someone’s story until you take time to talk.
A couple weeks ago when VAQ-135 Black Ravens were coming home from deployment, I escorted a journalist from New York Magazine, Stephen Rodrick, to the homecoming ceremony in hangar 8. He had been embarked with the squadron on the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) for the last three weeks of the deployment.
Not unusual, I thought, until he explained that his father had been the commanding officer of the Black Ravens back in the 70s when the squadron first transitioned from the A-3 Skywarrior to the EA-6B Prowler. This deployment was the last VAQ-135 would make flying the Prowler before transitioning to the EA-18G Growler.
April 15, 2010
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