Military
Whidbey Island has a long history as a strategic military location. From the historic bases of Fort Casey and Fort Ebey to the modern importance of Naval Air Station Whidbey and the Outlying Field outside Coupeville, the military brings many residents and visitors each year.
Whidbey Island has a long history as a strategic military location. From the historic bases of Fort Casey and Fort Ebey to the modern importance of Naval Air Station Whidbey and the Outlying Field outside Coupeville, the military brings many residents and visitors each year.
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI)
NASWI was commissioned on September 21, 1942 in support of American operations in World War II and has served as the home base for the Navy’s tactical electronic warfare community for more than 45 years.
NASWI is the sole provider of naval aviation support in the Pacific Northwest. The EA-18G Growler fleet is based at NASWI, with 20 active duty squadrons and 3 Ready Reserve squadrons. These squadrons practice flight training and touch-and-go landings at the main air field in Oak Harbor and the Outlying Landing Field near Coupeville.
Outlying Landing Field (OLF)
The Outlying Landing Field, locally referred to as the OLF, was commissioned by the Navy in 1943. Landing practice flight operations allow aviators and crew to fly in patterns and practice touch-and-go landings, simulating carrier landings and take offs. During these practice runs, jets approach the runway and touch down where a simulated arrestor wire is painted on the deck. The jet immediately takes off again and loops around the field to prepare for another landing and take-off.
This enables them to practice the length, speedy, and precision required for landing on aircraft carriers without the danger of doing it over water while training. OLF Coupeville is seen by the Navy as ideal for this type of training due to its remote location and low ambient lighting, allowing pilots and crew to have the optimum experience for replication of landing aboard an aircraft carrier near sea-level.
Each aircraft makes multiple touch-and-go landings during training events. During regular training, Navy jets can be seen and heard circling above Coupeville and Oak Harbor; the most exciting viewing spot is alongside Highway 20 at the OLF. Please be cautious if parking here—traffic moves quickly, shoulder space is limited-to-non-existent, and multiple sharp corners make for plenty of blind spots.
Air Installations Compatible Use Zones (AICUZ) Program
Information provided by Community Planning Liasion Officer at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
The Department of Defense (DOD) established the AICUZ Program to balance the need for aircraft operations with community concerns regarding aircraft noise and accident potential. The AICUZ Program provides a format to document the effects of aircraft operations in a community, while encouraging compatible development to minimize future conflicts.
The 2021 AICUZ Study incorporates changes in mission and operations, as analyzed in the 2018 Growler EIS. Based on the changes described, total annual operations at NASWI are projected to increase to 112,100, with 88,000 operations at Ault Field in Oak Harbor and 24,100 operations at OLF Coupeville.
Operations include:
- Departures
- Arrivals
- Pattern Operations (touch-and-go, field carrier landing practice, and ground-controlled approach/carrier-controlled approach)
- Interfacility Operations
For more information about the AICUZ Program at NASWI, contact:
Community Planning Liason Officer
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
1115 W. Lexington St. B103, Oak Harbor, WA 98278
(360) 257-1005