Th

ree must be a lucky number.

For the third year in a row, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island has won third place in the Commander in Chief’s Installation Excellence Award.

Out of 79 naval installations, NASWI came in just behind Joint Base Pearl-Hickam, Hawaii and Naval Base San Diego, Calif.
The announcement was made April 29.

“This recognition is a tribute to the hard work of all the personnel on the base and the local communities who support us day in and day out,” Capt. Jay Johnston, NASWI commanding officer, said in a press release.

“This is a win for everyone who makes up Team Whidbey,” he said.

According to the release, the award recognizes installations that have made the best use of available resources to accomplish their assigned mission and that have used imaginative and innovative management to increase productivity and enhance the quality of life for personnel and their families.

The three bases will receive a certificate and monetary award for quality of life improvements.
NAS Whidbey has used the award money the past two years to renovate the Convergence Zone, a family entertainment center, and the Skywarrior Theater.

NAS Whidbey has approximately 7,500 active duty personnel, 1,200 federal employees, 1,200 civilian contractors and more than 10,000 military family members.

It brings $592 million to Island County in payroll, construction projects, medical payments, school aid, utilities and material purchases.