Tiger Day was held on June 17, from noon to 3 p.m. in Hangar 11.

Despite ominous weather in the morning, the skies cleared by noon and the event was met with resounding success.

Tiger Day is the station’s version of a Tiger Cruise, a chance for kids to check out the places and spaces their parents work in every day, with plenty of other exciting experiences along the way.

This year’s event included a plethora of flight-related, hands-on activities, including a flight simulator, ceramic aircraft charm painting provided by Paint Your Art Out, and paper airplane projects provided by Chase Home Finance.

Other fun activities included the Predators of the Heart animal show, temporary tattoo booth sponsored by American Eagle Communities, kite dancer performances, the Outdoor Recreation climbing wall, an inflatable dragon, jousting, a jumbo inflatable boxing ring and a free Skywarrior Theatre showing of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. NASWI and Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Detachment(AIMD) First Class Petty Officers Associations (FCPOA) served up hamburgers and hot dogs, while Walton Beverage provided free Pepsi products for all in attendance. VAQ-129 allowed curious children to check out the cockpit of their EA-6B Prowler.

VP-46 provided a P-3 for families to explore, while Puget Sound Federal Fire Department drew the crowd’s attention with their electric green fire truck. The Search and Rescue helicopter and accompanying orange-suited officers were a favorite throughout the day; Explosive Ordnance Disposal detachments showed off their Humvee and explosives suit.

The NAS Weapons department provided an exhibit of the wide array of their defense equipment, while AIMD displayed a parachute and search and rescue Zodiac. Naval Hospital Oak Harbor piqued health awareness with real lungs that compared a smoker’s inhalation abilities to that of a non-smoker.

Their furry frog explored Hangar 11, greeting children and distributing “Kiss Me, I Don’t Smoke” stickers throughout the afternoon. The Sexual Assault Victims’ Intervention Program made and distributed a variety of awareness pins and the Youth Activities Center offered plenty of prizes with their games.

The Gym and Fitness Center got kids geared up for fitness with pogo balls, hula hoops and other avenues for activity. VQ-1 spouses allowed kids a chance to throw a Styrofoam torpedo through several strategically placed holes on a wooden replica of a P-3 Orion airplane. Tom Linscott, Community Services director, noted, “It’s wonderful to see the cooperation among so many facets of the station, and that level of camaraderie and involvement make for memorable events.”

Tiger Day is a long-running event, but this year’s seemed a little more special to the families who attended.

Comments heard included “I can’t believe how much there was for my kids to do!” Lt. Paul Dosen said that, “I’ve been to every Tiger Day, and this one was the best I can remember.”

A big reason for that success was its detailed planning.

The military liaison for this year’s Tiger Day was Lt. Jason Woodward from Search and Rescue, who recently relocated to NAS Whidbey. He coordinated reserving hangar space, assuring flight line access and recruiting command participation, along with countless other tasks.

Bravo Zulu to Lt. Woodward for his “can-do” attitude and diligent efforts; his work upgraded Tiger Day from a good to great event. Russ Gale, Community Programs recreation director, Linda Jury, Child and Youth Program director and Morise Conerly, Community Programs special event planner, also deserve kudos for arranging entertainment, vendors, sponsorship, publicity, displays and other logistics.

Big thanks to VR-61 for the hospitality in use of their hangar, the FCPOA for their fantastic food service and Chugach Development Corporation for all their help. Thanks also to the event’s sponsors, which include American Eagle Communities, Chase Home Finance, Paint Your Art Out, Costco, the Commissary, John L. Scott, Navy Federal Credit Union and Walton Beverage.

Tiger Day has typically been held during Oak Harbor School District’s spring break in April, but was moved on a trial basis this year to the last day of school. Given this year’s success and the fact that summer boredom kicks in quickly, Tiger Day will be held again next year in the same June time frame. It was a fantastic start to the summer; we look forward to 2006!