Editor,
Our Whidbey island is so beautiful, its vistas have been used in numerous films and commercials. Some of the first settlers of the Northwest settled here. It sits at the entrance to Puget Sound.
Its position was important to our government. The history of the military using the island to defend America started long before man had invented the aircraft it flies today. The use of the aircraft carrier during WWII caused the installation of the OLF Coupeville touchdown strip. At that time, the island’s economy was farming, fishing, logging and was sparsely populated.
The island residents felt they were good Americans by giving up some air space for world peace.
Unfortunately, the OLF Coupeville touchdown strip began Whidbey Island’s cancer.
The first sign began with the Prowler. Residents fought against the harm caused by jets. Court agreements reached; limitations placed. Residents believed they had controlled the cancer.
When the Growler replaced the Prowler, the cancerous harm grew. Thousands and thousands of citizens joined forces to stop the harm. Jet noise causes physical harm. Court orders to stop until required impact studies are completed — telling the true noise impact — were ordered.
The U.S. Navy’s response was to refuse to move operations. Expansion of flights, thousands per year with larger flyover patterns. Showing no regard for the citizens. The continuation of ear-shattering series of three Growler jets at altitudes under 500 feet within minutes of each other. Four-hour rotations maybe until 1 a.m.. Flying this rotation over our children playing school sports.
Permanent ear damage happens when noise exceeds certain decibel levels. The assault on our ears is increasing in numbers. This is like an end-stage cancer of the hearing of thousands of children. Some are too young to put their fingers in their ears to protect themselves. Noise pollution extends to anxiety and health problems.
The U.S. Navy is not the good guys protecting us. Only deafness rains down here. Navy noise is more than annoying. It is harming Americans.
The Navy’s justification to continue operations here on the island means each sailor’s legacy of service is tainted; they are harming Americans, not a foreign adversary.
Nancy McCloskey
Coupeville
