Sailors learn aircraft firefighting skills

Sailors assigned to tenant commands at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island participated in a Flight Deck Firefighting Course May 18. The one-day, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNTTAU) Whidbey Island course provided 39 Sailors with the basic level of skill and knowledge required to handle fires on flight decks, aircraft crash incidents and conflagrations involving hazardous materials. Firefighting instructor, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Justin Ocampo said the course starts with a brief introduction covering course safety and other important topics such as the chemistry of a fire, visual landing aids, the operation of carbon dioxide and potassium bicarbonate powder bottles and the fires for which they are most effective. Ocampo said after the morning lectures, Sailors are are briefed on additional safety precautions, basic firefighting techniques and recommendations for combating the fire. Upon completion, Sailors perform a brief wet-work exercise to demonstrate how to properly handle the hose.
May 27, 2010
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Hangar 5 recapitalization completed

A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of a recapitalization for Hangar 5 on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, May 24. The $55.8 million renovation, dubbed military construction project 169, was a three-phase project which began in Jan. 2008 to facilitate the ongoing transition from the EA-6B Prowler to the EA-18G Growler. The completed hangar will accommodate five Growler squadrons, the Electronic Attack Weapons School and Commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CVWP). There are currently three safe-for-flight EA-18G squadrons on the installation. “In the end, the entire project lasted only 1,036 days; back in the olden days when I was a young man, these things would take many, many years, probably half a decade, to execute. We’ve significantly shortened that,” said Capt. Pat Rios, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest (NAVFAC NW) commanding officer. According to Capt. Gerral David, NAS Whidbey Island commanding officer, this marks the second time the hangar’s configuration has changed to accommodate a different aircraft platform since being built in 1954. The hangar was originally built to facilitate the P-2V Neptune, then the Prowler and, now, it’s the home of the Growler.
May 27, 2010
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City business leaders hear state of station

One of the most anticipated speakers each year for the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce is the Commanding Officer of NAS Whidbey Island. As an advocate for the business community, the Chamber of Commerce featured Capt. Gerral David May 20 at their monthly luncheon program May 20 to the Chief Petty Officers’ Club. A crowd of 140 came to hear David give his last State of the Station before his change of command later this summer. Praising the unique, supportive relationship between the city, chamber and base, David spoke on the future growth in population and construction, aircraft transitions, environmental stewardship and economic impact. In recounting the recent news that NAS Whidbey Island was named second top naval installation of 77 and number one air station in the country, David said, “We’re not that number one naval air station just because of those people inside that fence line. We are that number one naval air station because we all are part of Team Whidbey; and you make us that number one air station…we are grateful for your part in that.”
May 27, 2010
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Project to replace water distribution system

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island held a ceremony to commemorate the beginning of a water distribution system replacement construction project throughout the installation, May 24. The $10,815,000 design-build contract, dubbed military construction project 236, is being conducted in accordance with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The project will be conducted in seven phases to minimize impact on base operations. “We’re here to break ground today on what is going to be the largest demolition and detour project in the history of this base,” said Capt. Gerral David, NAS Whidbey Island commanding officer. “When it’s done we will have replaced a ton of critical infrastructure that’s going to last for decades. It’s going to make this base a better place for a long time to come and it’s going to make us all a lot happier by not having to respond to all the problems we have with our water distribution system.”
May 27, 2010
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FRCNW Sailors clean up roadways

A rotted construction sign, fence post, lots of paper items and artificial flowers blown from the wind from a nearby cemetery were among trash collected May 2 off local roadways by members of the Fleet Readiness Center Northwest (FRCNW) as part of the Adopt-a-Highway program. Led by their Cmdr. Kimberly Schulz, FRCNW Commanding Officer, the Navy volunteers from the Second Class Petty Officers’ Association spent part of their day off to collect debris from along Auvil and Torpedo roads. The effort was organized by Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd (AT2) Class Joseph Hagstrom, and it was a great success. The group picked up more than a dozen bags of debris as well as a couple of bed frames and a drink cooler.
May 27, 2010
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NAS Whidbey promotes safe riding

Sailors, Marines and Department of Defense (DoD) personnel from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island participated in a motorcycle safety standdown at the motor cycle training course here May 14. Service members engaged in interactive discussions about personal riding experience, executed fundamental riding and handling skills on a basic training course, learned key-points of motorcycle safety and had their bikes inspected at the event. “We are doing this to remind people of the basics of riding and keep experienced riders thinking of safety; reminding them that if it feels wrong then they are probably not looking far enough ahead,” said Shawn Olsen, an instructor and riding coach for Navy Region Northwest.
May 20, 2010
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Wizards reminded of significance

In the cool dry dusk of April 23 just outside Wizard Headquarters, a low rumble with blooming dust trailed a couple of formidable Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and a Humvee from the Army’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT). Members of the 256th IBCT, presently charged with a heavy share of convoy and logistics support for Operation Iraqi Freedom, visited the Wizards’ spaces to provide an enlightening brief to the aircrew and show their appreciation for the squadron’s continued support. Air Force Capt. Matthew Sabraw facilitated the visit after he discovered the unit while investigating a motor pool where he recognized some of the electronic warfare gear. Sabraw cultivated a friendship with 1st Lt. William Crosby and 1st Lt. Kevin Keese of the 256th and as they exchanged stories they quickly realized the potential for shared learning.
May 20, 2010
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Whidbey Sailors learn smart spending

Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) hosted a Command Financial Specialist (CFS) class at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island May 10-14. The purpose of this class was to educate future specialists about finances and how to help other Sailors within their commands understand their finances and how to handle tough financial situations. “This is a five-day course, and we host this at the FFSC every quarter to Sailors who have been selected by their command to do financial counseling at their command,” said Kathleen Johnson, Personal Financial Management (PFM) head at FFSC. “This week the Sailors are gaining education on how to actually make that happen. They’re getting basic knowledge. They’re getting their responsibility and how to do financial counseling; they’re getting the tools they need to perform their jobs as command financial specialist.”
May 20, 2010
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DEFY class graduates

Forty-two students graduated from Drug Education For Youth (DEFY) during a ceremony at Cliffside Park on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island May 15. According to the DEFY website, the goal of the Department of Defense (DoD) sponsored program is to produce 9 to 12 year olds with character, leadership, and confidence so they are equipped to engage in positive, healthy lifestyles as drug-free citizens and have the necessary skills to be successful in their lives through coordinated community participation, commitment and leadership. “They’re getting the right information about drugs and alcohol. They’re going to learn this stuff when they get into high school and probably in a negative way. This way they have an informed decision about what it is and how to say no. I think this gives them a good background prior to all that,” said Naval Aircrewman 1st Class (NAC/AW) Ted Mansikka, assigned to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 1, and had two children in the program.
May 20, 2010
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New leadership comes to VQ-1

The command the VQ-1 World Watchers changes today as Cmdr. Cory Howes steps in for Cmdr. Mike Giannetti, who has commanded the EP-3 aircraft squadron since May 2009. Giannetti’s vision and guidance led VQ-1 to achieve the highest Navy and squadron goals. Of note, World Watchers executed a 100 percent operational sortie completion rate, several consecutive months of 100 percent pilot proficiency training, awarded the 2009 Battle “E” award, received the 2009 Golden Anchor Award for retention, and received the 2009 Blue “M” Award for medical readiness. VQ-1 performed over 4,535 mishap-free flight hours while continuously deployed all 12 months of Giannetti’s tenure, flying missions in 5th and 7th Fleets to include Operations Iraqi Freedom and Ensuring Freedom in Afghanistan, and the Struggle Against
May 20, 2010
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