Tennessee cadets tour air station, USS Shoup

They came from the “Gateway of the Smokies,” the famous mountains near their hometown of Newport, Tenn. For some, they had never been on a plane, let alone out of state. Twenty-six Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets from Cocke County High School and seven adult chaperons got the opportunity to catch a military hop to NAS Whidbey Island June 8 for a four-day stay in the Pacific Northwest. “They sold a lot of candy bars and did fund-raising to get here,” said their Naval Science Instructor retired Marine Lt. Col. William Ivory.
June 18, 2009
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Grey Knights honor Battle of Midway survivor

The Grey Knights of Patrol Squadron (VP) 46 gathered at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Officer’s Club June 6, to commemorate the 67th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. NAS Whidbey Island Commanding Officer Capt. Gerral David and retired Cmdr. Harry Ferrier, an aircrew veteran of Torpedo Squadron (VT) 8 who participated in the battle. The Battle of Midway, fought from June 4-6, 1942, marked the turning point of U.S. Navy’s war in the Pacific Theater. Only six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the aircraft carriers Enterprise, Lexington and Yorktown faced the numerically superior Japanese fleet near Midway Atoll.
June 11, 2009
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Whidbey Sailors support ‘search for cure’

Approximately 1,200 participants gathered on the North Whidbey Middle School Track to participate in the 2009 North Whidbey Relay for Life, June 5-6. As part of the American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay for Life program, the event raises funds for cancer research and promotes awareness. This year’s event was themed “Back to the Future”. The year marks the 25th anniversary of the Relay for Life since it began in Tacoma, Wash.; North Whidbey has participated for 22 of those years. A total of 102 teams, 14 of which were comprised of Sailors and Marines from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, were arranged in tents around the edges of the track.
June 11, 2009
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Strike Group 7 leader flies with Cougars

One of the benefits of flying in a four seat tactical aircraft is the chance to show what the EA-6B Prowler is capable of performing. The Cougars of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139 had the opportunity to fly Commander, Carrier Strike Group 7, Rear Adm. Scott Hebner, June 4. The EA-6B may be the largest tactical jet on the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), but despite its obtrusive size and sound of the jet engines, there are very few, beyond the air crew and maintainers that fly and work on the airframe, who know much about the Prowler. Hebner was able to suit up, man up, and be shot off the carrier while strapped into the backseat of the EA-6B.
June 11, 2009
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Screaming Eagles hone missile tactics

The Patrol Squadron (VP) 1 “Screaming Eagles” recently provided its Combat Aircrew 9 an opportunity to take part in live-fire exercise off the coast of Jacksonville, Fla. The exercise was intended to hone the tactical skills of the aircrew. The event was hosted by Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11 and Destroyer Squadron 26 of the USS Harry S. Truman Strike Group and involved a coordinated strike of seven missiles on target. Combat Aircrew 9 spent weeks preparing for the exercise, in which they fired an AGM-84D Harpoon missile demonstrating their crew motto, “On time, on target.” Countless hours of practice allowed the 11-member crew to function flawlessly as a single unit, resulting in a perfect missile strike. The live fire exercise satisfied crew readiness requirements as they prepare for an upcoming deployment.
June 11, 2009
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‘America’s Prowler’ gets new look

It’s out with the old and in with the new for the Patriots of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140. Along with the excitement of taking delivery of the ICAP III version of the EA-6, the Patriots were forced to part with an icon of the Prowler community, AG 500, also known around Whidbey Island as “America’s Prowler”. Since 1985, VAQ-140 has humbly flown the colors of our national ensign in every major campaign since Operation Desert Shield to today’s Operation Enduring Freedom. The responsibility of flying the flag is taken seriously by the Patriot Corrosion Control shop and little time was wasted preparing our newest jet for the task.
June 4, 2009
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Cougars return to USS Ronald Reagan

After only a few short months at home, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139 packed their bags and departed Naval Air Station Whidbey Island for another deployment aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as part of Carrier Air Wing 14. The Reagan Strike Group departed San Diego, May 28, headed to the 7th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility. The squadron returned home from its 2008 deployment around Thanksgiving and after a short holiday leave period, were back at work preparing for their rapidly approaching surge cruise.
June 4, 2009
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Naval Safety Center head visits NAS Whidbey

Commander, Naval Safety Center conducted a familiarization visit to Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, May 27. Rear Adm. Arthur Johnson, commander, Naval Safety Center, was treated to tours of NAS Whidbey Island’s Bird Air Strike Hazard (BASH) and Avian Radar capabilities, Hangar 5 and EA-18G Growler simulator facilities, and the motorcycle safety course during his visit. With the large push in recent years for motorcycle safety and education throughout the Navy, the programs are constantly being evaluated and reviewed. One highlight in this regard for the NAS Whidbey Island visit was the fact that Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, the “Zappers”, have met 100 percent of their training criteria and qualifications for riders.
June 4, 2009
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Asian Pacific American heritage celebrated at NAS Whidbey

In honor of May being Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island hosted a celebration of this culture at the Chapel, May 29. The event, which was sponsored by Fleet Readiness Center Northwest (FRC NW), featured exhibits, cultural performances and cuisine to honor their accomplishments in enriching American society. “We bonded together for the second year to produce a program that will enlighten your soul, stir up your spirits and to acknowledge the contributions of such a rich and colorful heritage,” said Aviation Support Equipment Technician 1st Class (AW) Samnang Loeum, of FRC NW.
June 4, 2009
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Combat reunites family members

People say that from a personal standpoint, one of the most difficult aspects of a combat deployment is the family separation that must be endured. But in one case the exact opposite occurred. Cmdr. Courtney Smith, VAQ-142 executive officer, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142, was paid a special visit by her stepson during a stopover at her current duty station in the Middle East. Gunnery Sgt. Bryant Smith, currently assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, spent almost a week on the ground with Cmdr. Smith while he awaited further progression of his unit to their final destination. During his stay, the two were able to meet routinely for dinner and enjoy some quality family time that most troops are unable to achieve while forward deployed.
June 4, 2009
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