Crosswind

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Growler squadron, Whidbey business owner partner to light up hangar

The “Gauntlets” of VAQ-136 hung a large sign to mark the Growler squadron’s 50th anniversary.

 

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World War II vet will be featured in Navy League’s virtual Veterans Day event

A World War II from Freeland reflects on memories from his time in service.

 

Golden Swordsmen reach halfway point in deployment

The Golden Swordsmen of Patrol Squadron Four Seven, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, have reached the halfway point of their deployment. The Golden… Continue reading

  • Aug 11, 2020

 

Lt. Nick Woods, attached to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, controls a Mark II Talon remotely operated vehicle (ROV) during a Certification Exercise (CERTEX) on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., July 16. Elements of EODMU-1 and EODMU-5 qualified as ready for future operational deployments during the CERTEX, which centered on integrating the two units’ Sailors with a goal of building a cohesiveness that will help them counter undersea threats and contribute to winning the high-end fight once deployed in support of Navy and geographic combatant command mission priorities. U.S. Navy EOD is the world’s premier combat force for eliminating explosive threats so the Fleet and nation can fight and win wherever, whenever and however it chooses. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marc Cuenca/Released

Ordnance training held off Whidbey

U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit One from San Diego and Unit Five from Guam arrived in Naval Air Station Whidbey Island to conduct… Continue reading

Lt. Nick Woods, attached to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, controls a Mark II Talon remotely operated vehicle (ROV) during a Certification Exercise (CERTEX) on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., July 16. Elements of EODMU-1 and EODMU-5 qualified as ready for future operational deployments during the CERTEX, which centered on integrating the two units’ Sailors with a goal of building a cohesiveness that will help them counter undersea threats and contribute to winning the high-end fight once deployed in support of Navy and geographic combatant command mission priorities. U.S. Navy EOD is the world’s premier combat force for eliminating explosive threats so the Fleet and nation can fight and win wherever, whenever and however it chooses. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marc Cuenca/Released
Patriot Guard Riders and Wallin Funeral Homes Director Kelly Davidson were the Pallbearers for Roy Derrick’s funeral. Photo by Brandon Taylor

Navy veteran without family receives funeral with honors

Roy Derrick was not alone when he was laid to rest on Tuesday, July 21. The retired U.S. Navy senior chief ocean systems maintenance technician… Continue reading

Patriot Guard Riders and Wallin Funeral Homes Director Kelly Davidson were the Pallbearers for Roy Derrick’s funeral. Photo by Brandon Taylor
New tenant command at NAS Whidbey

New tenant command at NAS Whidbey

The Navy stood up its newest tenant command, Tactical Operations Control Squadron, or TOCRON 10 for short, at Naval Air Station Whidbey. Dubbed Kraken, the… Continue reading

  • Jul 24, 2020
New tenant command at NAS Whidbey

VA surgical care better than or equal to non-VA hospitals, according to new study

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs today announced that VA hospitals outperform or match neighboring non-VA hospitals in surgical quality and overall patient safety satisfaction. The… Continue reading

  • Jul 24, 2020

Whidbey SAR conducts life-saving missions

A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island conducted an early morning rescue for a sick hiker in the Olympic National… Continue reading

VAQ-130 holds change of command

VAQ-130 holds change of command

The “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron 130 held a change of command ceremony July 3 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Cmdr. Jack “Farva” Curtis… Continue reading

  • Jul 12, 2019
VAQ-130 holds change of command
Cascade Falcon XXIV held at Camp Casey

Cascade Falcon XXIV held at Camp Casey

Civil Air Patrol members from around Washington state and beyond arrived at Camp Casey for the Cascade Falcon XXIV summer encampment. It’s the fourth year… Continue reading

  • Jul 12, 2019
Cascade Falcon XXIV held at Camp Casey
New Leaf employee helps keep base looking good

New Leaf employee helps keep base looking good

‘The guy we can count on’

New Leaf employee helps keep base looking good
Orrin Gorman McClellan’s words of war resonate beyond his death

Orrin Gorman McClellan’s words of war resonate beyond his death

‘A Soldier’s Journal, Last Supper to No Goodbye’ chronicles combat’s invisible wounds

Orrin Gorman McClellan’s words of war resonate beyond his death
U.S. Navy photo Sailors and their families familiarize themselves with the reconstructed playground area at Costen-Turner Memorial Park located on Ault Field at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

NAS Whidbey Island commemorates reopening of Costen-Turner playground

By Petty Officer Marc Cuenca Navy Public Affairs Capt. Matt Arny and other officials from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island officially opened a remodeled playground… Continue reading

  • Jun 3, 2019
U.S. Navy photo Sailors and their families familiarize themselves with the reconstructed playground area at Costen-Turner Memorial Park located on Ault Field at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gary Ward Bechard

Whidbey native serves aboard ‘Floating Airport at Sea,’ half a world away

By Mass Communication Specialist Robert Zahn, Navy Office of Community Outreach Petty Officer 3rd Class Erica Bechard, a native of Coupeville, wanted to join the… Continue reading

  • Jun 3, 2019
Photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gary Ward Bechard
Sailors, vets pitch in to build trail

Sailors, vets pitch in to build trail

Veterans and current service members make some of the best volunteers, according to Roy Zipp, superintendent for National Park Service Operations for Ebey’s Landing National… Continue reading

Sailors, vets pitch in to build trail
Family of famous WWII aviator visits airfield named in his honor 75 years ago

Family of famous WWII aviator visits airfield named in his honor 75 years ago

A heroic moment in World War II left a lasting legacy but also marked a family tragedy. In 1942, Cmdr. William Bowen Ault led the… Continue reading

Family of famous WWII aviator visits airfield named in his honor 75 years ago
VP-4 Skinny Dragons return home

VP-4 Skinny Dragons return home

“Skinny Dragons” of Patrol Squadron Four returned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on Oct. 11 , following a seven-month deployment to the 7th Fleet… Continue reading

  • Oct 24, 2018
VP-4 Skinny Dragons return home
Veterans Day Parade will march downtown

Veterans Day Parade will march downtown

The Oak Harbor Veterans Day Parade is returning to Pioneer Way. “We’re going to take it downtown, because that’s where we’re at,” said Matthew Williams,… Continue reading

  • Oct 24, 2018
Veterans Day Parade will march downtown
New van for veterans helps with health care

New van for veterans helps with health care

It’s not an ambulance, fire truck or other rescue vehicle. But to its new occupants, the plain white eight-passenger van is a “life saver.” Tuesday,… Continue reading

New van for veterans helps with health care
Photos by Patricia Guthrie Roy Schlicht works on assembling a small-scale plastic model kit during a recent Friday evening gathering of Whidbey Island veterans who are known as “modelers.”

Model vets pursue miniature hobby

Big passion for small-scale replicas

Photos by Patricia Guthrie Roy Schlicht works on assembling a small-scale plastic model kit during a recent Friday evening gathering of Whidbey Island veterans who are known as “modelers.”