The long-awaited 12,000 square foot addition to NAS Whidbey Island’s Navy Exchange opened to customers Jan. 4 as part of an overall $10 million, five-phase renovation project that began May 2010 when ground was broken on the north side of the historic World War II structure.
Originally built in 1942 to house PBY Catalina seaplanes, the hangar was converted to a Navy Exchange in 1976. Over the years it has undergone various other renovations, but none have been as extensive as this project.
“This is the largest project in the Navy Exchange worldwide for this fiscal year,” said Lynn Moore, General Manager of NAS Whidbey Island Navy Exchange. The new addition, where the Garden Shop was formerly located, features 9,000 square feet of retail, while the rest is used for receiving and storage.
Moore explained that projects fall into two categories, with anything over $750,000 considered major.
January 6, 2011
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For VAQ-132, the time has finally arrived. Following a year spent at VAQ-129, the Fleet Replacement Squadron transitioning to the new EA-18G Growler and eight months of demanding preparation for deployment, VAQ-132 departed Whidbey Island for Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, just prior to Thanksgiving.
The Scorpions worked hard to navigate uncharted territory, assuming the role as the first squadron to prove the combat effectiveness of the EA-18G. They participated in Advanced Readiness Phase at NAS Fallon, Nev., Mission Employment Phase and Red Flag at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. and German Mission Employment Phase at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, in a matter of six months to ensure their readiness for deployment. The squadron also executed numerous training missions from NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. and NAS Key West, Fla. to improve their proficiency in the electronic attack mission and the air-to-air arena.
The effort the squadron put forth for deployment was a genuine team effort.
January 6, 2011
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After completing a compressed work-up cycle following a historic transition from expeditionary to carrier-based operations, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134 has joined Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 on the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).
The Garudas spent their last weekend in Whidbey Island with their families for Thanksgiving then immediately began the transit to Naval Air Station North Island. This marks the beginning of the Garudas first carrier-based deployment since 1994, and the sixth deployment in the last six years.
December began with carrier qualifications for the entire air wing and then transitioned to a training phase as both the Carl Vinson and the CVW 17 began Composite Unit Training Exercise or COMPTUEX. The focus of this phase of training was to achieve Blue Water Certification and effectively carry out defensive and offensive combat operations. The days leading up to the certification were long and arduous, testing both the physical and mental stamina of the aircrew and maintainers.
January 6, 2011
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According to Robert Digilolamo, a contracting officer’s representative at Naval Hospital Oak Harbor, community van pools aren’t just a deal, they are a fantastic deal.
“If you’re working, that’s wear and tear on your car you don’t have to deal with and other passengers in the van pool can catch up on their sleep or their palm pilots,” said Digilolamo. “Besides since we’re a six-passenger van that means five other cars are off the road.”
Digilolamo has been driving his van from Greenbank to the Navy hospital for about two-and-a-half years. He drives one of 12 vans provided by Island Transit for transporting military personnel from various points on the mainland to NAS Whidbey Island.
Island Transit currently has 60 community commuter vanpools being used on the road, 12 used by the military.
January 6, 2011
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Close to 25 volunteers descended on NAS Whidbey Island’s Skywarrior Theater Dec. 20 to remove chairs in preparation for installation of 491 new recliner seats before the first show, scheduled for 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
“I can’t believe how fast the First Class Petty Officers’ Association volunteers were,” said Deb Brockway, Fleet & Family Readiness project manager, who had estimated it would take about five hours but hoped they could do it in three. “They had every chair in the theater out in about two hours and we were able to turn the project over to the installer early.”
The renovation of the theater is a direct result of the air station receiving second place in the 2010 Commander in Chief’s Installation Excellence Award competition. Along with bragging rights, the base received $250,000. Capt. Gerral David, former base commanding officer, tasked the Quality of Life committee to come up with best proposal for getting the most “bang for the buck” out of the prize money. Renovating the theater won, hands down.
January 6, 2011
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Many women might have it and not even know it. A woman like Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Yovania Delvalle-Alicea of VAQ-129’s AT shop.
In the last year the 22-year old Sailor was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, which is one of most common hormonal endocrine disorders in women.
“Being diagnosed and having family members taken from the disease, I feel obliged to help spread PCOS awareness,” said Delvalle-Alicea.
According to Wikipedia, PCOS affects 5 to 10 percent of women of reproductive age (12–45 years old) and is thought to be one of the leading causes of female infertility, as well as a major risk factor for developing diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol later in life.
December 16, 2010
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Kids enrolled in the Whidbey Island Armed Forces YMCA got an unexpected holiday surprise last Friday. However, this “Santa” wasn’t in red, but in U.S. Navy khaki.
The Whidbey Island Mustang Association (WIMA) donated $240 worth of educational computer software for kid’s age pre-school through 5th grade to learn math, reading, spelling and phonics while on colorful, fun adventures.
Cmdr. David Latosky, WIMA president, and association members Cmdr. Chuck Murphy and retired Warrant Officer and WIMA treasurer J.B. Beaver presented 22 software education programs to Butch Laurion, Whidbey Island Armed Forces YMCA Senior Executive Director. Both Latosky and Murphy work at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Whidbey Island as commanding officer and executive officer, respectively.
December 16, 2010
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The Staff Nursing Department at Skagit Valley College, Whidbey Island Campus recently recognized Naval Hospital Oak Harbor (NHOH) as the “Clinical Site of the Year.”
At the College Advisory Board’s Awards Dinner, Capt. Bonnie Bulach, Director of Nursing and the nursing staff at NHOH were thanked for their devotion and support of the college’s Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN) students at the Whidbey Island Campus.
“It is my sincere pleasure to host, train and mentor the Skagit Valley College LPN and RN students,” said Bulach, who accepted the award from Skagit Valley College President, Dr. Gary Tollefson.
December 16, 2010
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As America’s Earth Day celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, Navy Whidbey Recycle also reached major milestones: completing 20 years of successful recycling and 10 years of composting. In a year of landmark dates and achievements, Navy Whidbey Island’s Compost Facility has added another first with receipt of the “Leadership in Organics Recovery” award from the Washington State Organics Recycling Council otherwise known as “WORC”
Presented at the WORC annual conference on Dec. 9 in Ellensburg, Wash., the leadership award acknowledges the accomplishments of Navy Whidbey Recycle in expanding the station’s organics recycling program, and mentoring others about their programs.
The air station’s compost program significantly contributes to the success of Navy Whidbey Recycle. Organic materials make up over half of the 6,022 tons recycled here during fiscal year 2010. Earning more than $729,000 under the Navy Working Capital Fund system this year, composting saved more than $500,000 in cost avoidance in expending funds for disposal and trucking costs.
December 16, 2010
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As November came to a close, the “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-130, aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), turned west to start the long journey home.
They recently wrapped up five months of combat operations, successfully supporting both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn. During the deployment the squadron launched over 200 combat sorties, conducting counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations with U.S. and Coalition Forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Zappers flew over 1,290 combat flight hours providing highly successful electronic attack; some aircrew logged over 80 flight hours per month.
“The long hours in the cockpit took a mental and physical toll on all Zapper aircrew,” stated Lt. Kevin Steinbrecher, “The experience and confidence gained from flying these important missions in support of troops on the ground was worth the long hours and discomfort we all endured.”
December 9, 2010
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