Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Small Arms Training Center (SATC) is located just outside of the fence line of NAS Whidbey Island near Oak Harbor. This outdoor training facility has three separate ranges and some of the greatest views of Mount Rainer, Mount Baker and the Puget Sound.

The range complex was built in 1974 with MILCON project funding. The rifle range cost $32,619 the pistol range cost $16,309 and the shotgun range cost a mere $500. The variety of weapons authorized for use at this facility allows for use by the civilian police community, and offers military pistol and rifle teams a location to qualify in the rural area on Whidbey Island.

The facility is managed by three government service employees and three Navy Gunners Mate instructors. Average annual weapons qualifications total 3,000 with 150,000 rounds fired each year.

Significant repair and renovation work to bring the range up to standard has included removing lead from the pistol berm, rebuilding one of the baffles on rifle range, rebuilding the rifle berm back-stop, repairing the door frame on a storage room and painting pistol range walls and ceiling.

Since 1999, 7.62 mm qualifications have been allowed due to the failure of baffle and back stop. To make matters worse, no records existed noting when the pistol range was last ìde-leadedî or any major overhaul done.

Range managers submitted a comprehensive proposal for improvements in August 2007. Repair work began in late 2008, finishing up in February 2009. Contractors removed 16,000 pounds of lead from the pistol range, built an AR-500 steel baffle and constructed a concrete wall with a 4-inch sacrificial wood lament on top of the rifle berm.

Once they finished up with grounds repair and site clean-up, the range was turned over to SATC who quickly commenced live fire operations.

Randy Jackson, an engineer with Naval Facilities Engineering Command, scheduled a range certification in January 2009 and award NASWI with a Letter of Certification authorizing weapons qualifications. After a site survey, Jackson approved use of SATC ranges in March for the following qualifications:

Pistol Range - 25 yards, 9 firing points up to 44 magnum

Rifle Range - 200 yards, 10 firing points up to 7.62 mm

Shotgun Range - 25 yards, 1 firing point ñ used solely for Practical Weapons Course

During range construction when no range qualifications could take place at NAS Whidbey Island, tenant commands, security personnel and aviation squadrons were forced to travel 70 miles to Naval Station Everett to complete weapons qualifications.

.Total cost of NASWI repair project was $601,698.  The SATC is now in the process of contracting and installing a FATS training facility to enhance weapons training and qualifications. FATS will include a classroom with equipment to train students in the basic fundamentals of marksmanship prior to actually firing a live weapon.

A separate classroom with tables and chairs for student instruction will double as a conference area when needed. Currently, the classroom holds 15 students. The new classroom will double the classroom size and will provide office space for two instructors. Additional parking will support the new facility.