Visitors to Whidbey Island from the north end have a fantastic new welcome thanks to those involved with the impressive collective effort to mount an A6-Intruder at the corner of Ault Field Road and Highway 20.

This was indeed a monumental project, spearheaded by the Chugach Corp. and carried out by a host of other volunteers who were solely motivated by the love of the Navy and their country, and a desire to see the legendary airplane honored by the town that bragged about its presence for so many years.

The city of Oak Harbor could never have afforded such a magnificent way to greet visitors to our fair city. It had to draw upon its proud and skilled citizens who fixed up the old Intruder, gave it a new paint job, and managed the complex engineering task of lifting it onto poles and configured as if it’s flying on a mission.

Even more amazing is that the successful installation of the Intruder doesn’t finish the job. Volunteers are presently working on an EA-6B Prowler to be erected beside it, both “flying” onward and upward for eternity.

What can we say except great job, and thanks a lot to all who volunteered their time and skill to this enduring project.