In mid November, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131 Lancers and the USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group (CSG 9) enjoyed a well-deserved 4-day liberty in Manama, Bahrain following a few long and strenuous weeks supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.
The city of Manama offered Lancer Sailors a chance to experience the local Arab culture. MWR organized several tours and activities for the entire strike group including the Cultural Tour, a visit to the Tree of Life and a chance to swim with the dolphins. The Cultural Tour included visits to the Grand Mosque, Bahrain Museum, Bahrain World Trade Center, a camel farm owned by the King of Bahrain, the Bahrain-Saudi Bridge and the Bahrain Fort.
“Overall, I would rate the tours as ten out of ten. I would highly recommend the tour to anyone interested in learning about this area of the world,” said Aviation Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Richard Alexander.
December 9, 2010
Read the full story…
Patrol Squadron (VP) 46 spent the last several months overseas, spread over a tri-site deployment, but began returning last week to family and loved ones just in time for the holiday season.
The squadron has been extremely busy since leaving NAS Whidbey Island in late spring, concentrating on mission completion and safety with every flight and round-the-clock maintenance measures.
Their diligence resulted in 24/7 combat operations culminating in over 6,500 flight hours while maintaining a 98.5 percent mission completion rate.
While deployed, VP-46 congratulated their newest chief petty officers: Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Nicholas Coyle, Chief Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Philip Jump, Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate Odell Millang, Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Ronnie Ogren and Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Jordan Walma.
December 9, 2010
Read the full story…
Good news came Dec. 1 to the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU), Whidbey Island from Vice Adm. William R. Burke, deputy chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics.
The unit learned they had won the 2010 Navy Community Service Program Environmental/Stewardship Flagship Award for Small Shore Facility.
Each year the Navy recognizes Shore, Sea and Overseas commands for outstanding community service, including service that promotes good stewardship of environmental resources. Honorable mention for the same category went to Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
December 9, 2010
Read the full story…
It is the day before Thanksgiving and North Whidbey Help House, located at 1091 SE Hathaway Street in Oak Harbor is pretty busy.
Outside, a snow-covered street causes unwary drivers to go sliding in their cars.
But inside the warehouse, five first class petty officers from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station load boxes full of food while other men bring more food in or take it out while in the main building a crowd of people leaves only to be replaced by a new crowd and the phone does not stop ringing.
Overseeing it all is Jean T. Wieman, Executive Director of Help House.
December 2, 2010
Read the full story…
In a ceremony held Nov. 17 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla., the Secretary of Defense recognized Fleet Readiness Center Northwest (FRCNW) as one of the top six outstanding maintenance facilities in the Department of Defense.
“I am extremely proud of FRC NW Sailors and civilians,” said Cmdr. Kimberly Schulz, FRCNW commanding officer. “They have earned the recognition that comes with the Maintenance Award and (this award) will be proudly displayed on our quarterdeck along with the 2000 and 2008 Secretary of Defense Maintenance awards.”
FRCNW is a medium-size field-level maintenance unit.
The nominees for the annual awards are judged on factors including mission accomplishment, effective use of maintenance resources and innovative management.
December 2, 2010
Read the full story…
It’s hard to believe that such a small amount of snow can cause such havoc. Last Monday morning around 9, everyone at NAS Whidbey Island was surprised to see a light but continuous snow falling outside. The temperature dropped below freezing and the winds picked up. Didn’t take long before the snow plows were hauled out and Security was assessing road conditions and setting safety barriers.
Snow plows scraped paths for a couple of planes that curtailed training operations and taxied back to the hangar. Flight schedules were cancelled as commands shifted into “snow” mode.
Before they had a chance to clear and sand Charles Porter Ave., a semi-truck skidded out of control, blocking the inbound lane. Langley Blvd., well-known for its steep and treacherous incline, was quickly blocked off, leaving families who live on Apache wondering how they were going to get to and from their homes and the Home Connection and Head Start teachers, staff and students who use the former Clover Valley Elementary school, wondering how to get off the base.
December 2, 2010
Read the full story…
For Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Joe Napier, it means getting to do “guy stuff” again.
For Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Jacob Brooks, it’s a chance to feel like being at home again.
All it takes for both of the NAS Whidbey Island Sailors is giving up two to four hours a month.
During that time, both Napier and Brooks have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young boys and in turn feel very enriched being a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Island County.
December 2, 2010
Read the full story…
The “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 are all back home at NAS Whidbey Island, just in time to share the Thanksgiving holidays with families and friends, following a highly successful 6-month deployment to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.
In the early hours, Nov. 18, the squadron’s maintenance and support personnel arrived home. The squadron’s EA-6B Prowlers, aircrew and a small contingent of maintenance personnel arrived at noon today.
VAQ-142 departed Whidbey Island in May 2010 and immediately immersed themselves in the rigors of around-the-clock operations. Every Gray Wolf worked diligently to keep Prowlers airborne at all hours, providing electronic attack in support of U.S. and Iraqi ground forces across Iraq. This deployment, possibly the last EA-6B Prowler expeditionary deployment, offered all the challenges of combat operations including maintaining aircraft in debilitating heat topping 140?F and sun-eclipsing sandstorms.
November 23, 2010
Read the full story…
After four demanding weeks on board USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), the Cougars of Electronic Attack Squadron 139 (VAQ-139) returned home to Whidbey Island from their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).
For Carrier Strike Group Seven, Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) and VAQ-139 it proved to be an arduous, yet successful boat detachment. There were many lessons learned by both new and seasoned Cougars.
COMPTUEX is a two-part exercise of scripted and spontaneous simulations. It is the last required qualification the strike group must complete to be certified ready for deployment. It typically represents the first time in a training cycle that a carrier strike group operates together as a cohesive team.
November 23, 2010
Read the full story…
Two airborne electronic attack aircraft, EA-18G “Growler,” recently began validation with Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center’s newest training department, the Airborne Electronic Attack Weapons School (AEAWS).
NSAWC’s AEAWS department will provide training to the fleets electronic attack squadrons with the techniques, tactics and procedures to ensure aviation superiority in the electronic attack and air-to-air arena.
“NSAWC has been working closely with Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island and Commander Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC) toward the goal of establishing a training center here in Fallon since 2006,” said Cmdr. Peter Fey. “Commander Chris Bieber spearheaded most of this, but it’s really come to fruition in the past year,” said Fey. “Since October 2009, we’ve had the instructors show up to start working issues. Now we’ve got the airplanes to validate all the work they’ve done including building scenarios, flights, simulations and lectures.”
November 23, 2010
Read the full story…
Page 8 of 174 pages « First < 6 7 8 9 10 > Last »
