In an office at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, binoculars rest below windows with a commanding view of the flight line.

But Capt. Syd Abernethy doesn’t have much time to gaze at aircraft and vehicles and people busy with chores. Settling in his new job as commanding officer keeps his attention.

Abernethy replaced Capt. Stephen Black Oct. 13.

“My first assignment is listening and learning about the great team concept here,” Abernethy said from a couch in his bare office. Only a few plaques sit atop a tall credenza. Boxes hug the baseboards, some taped shut. Files, photos and frames jut out of others.

“I’m impressed by what I’ve seen so far,” Abernethy said last week.

The Navy looks at Team Whidbey as a model.”

The base may be placed on a pedestal but Abernethy isn’t willing to let Team Whidbey rest on its laurels.

“We’ll be setting higher marks so we constantly improve,” he said.

But Abernethy’s not yet ready to comment on any specific policies or practices he wants to change, implement or improve — he’s still learning about his new position.

However, he’s certain about one point — change will continue.

“In (Washington,) D.C. there’s incredible change,” he said. “The Chief of Naval Operations is telling everyone to challenge all assumptions. We must recognize the need for change, be flexible, adaptable and comfortable with change.”

In the past few years, NAS Whidbey has seen new commands, new equipment and technology arrive.

Abernethy said no matter what changes occur, the base’s missions will remain critically important.

“The base provides a vital function in the global war on terror,” he said.

Commands based at NAS Whidbey deploy regularly around the world. EA-6B Prowlers, a radar-jamming aircraft, operates off aircraft carriers as well as land bases. P-3C Orion and Aries II aircraft are too large for carrier duty but these big planes and their crews fly missions from bases far and near. Corpsman from the hospital are serving with Marines and teams trained to handle explosives are at work in Southwest Asia. Each command or detachment has a broad range of support staff assisting them.

Despite the whirlwind pace many commands maintain, people stationed at the base are active in the community, volunteering at schools and service organizations.

Abernethy said he wants to keep the community aware of the positive things happening on the base.

“We have a great, involved community,” he said. It’s wonderful to be in such a supportive atmosphere.”

While Abernethy didn’t comment on any specific changes the base might face, he did address a rumor that’s flashed through Oak Harbor: Because Abernethy is a “P-3 person,” instead of a “Prowler person,” the Prowlers would be leaving the base and their replacement aircraft would not be stationed here.

Abernethy said policy-makers in D.C. have yet to announce where the Prowler’s replacement will go.

“This isn’t a signal,” he said of his new assignment. “ I screened for major command, am an aviator and received this command. I’m here to support all communities.”