Editor,

Based on online chatter, a large number of Central Whidbey residents contacted the Navy by email and phone on Monday, June 28. The following email to Navy Public Affairs Officer Mike Welding is a fairly typical: “Given the very serious record-breaking heat expected today, June 28, 2021, please postpone by a day your scheduled night-late night practice today at the OLF. People at night will need to [must] have their windows open, and with windows open the noise inside will be similar to outside levels (100 to 115 decibels). That means hearing damage. It will be an unconscionable to not cancel or reschedule to another day this week when the temps will return to normal.”

Welding’s response to all the requests was, “Thank you for your concern. The scheduled FCLPs at the OLF in Coupeville will take place as scheduled based upon an operational requirement.”

That’is understandable. Opera-tional requirements should and must be met and military preparedness is essential. Clearly, however, the Navy cannot be a “good neighbor” and meet its operational requirements. Accepting that operational requirements take precedence over common-sense consideration and basic humanity exemplifies why carrier landing practice belongs elsewhere — not flying at 600 to 200 feet or lower over homes and businesses.

It was the Navy that encroached on Central Whidbey and it is the Navy that must find an appropriate location for conducting carrier landing practice.

Robert Wilbur, president

Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve

Coupeville