Sea Service News

NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. – Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island’s Search and Rescue (SAR) conducted two rescues in the Alpine Wilderness Area on Monday, August 21, 2023.

The first rescue mission, which occurred Monday morning, was for a 25-year-old woman who fell ill while hiking along Waptus Lake at an elevation of approximately 3,200 ft. mean sea level.

During the flight to her reported location, the crew determined that their visibility was compromised due to smoke from forest fires in the northern Cascade Mountains. After diverting south then flying east along state Highway 90 toward Cle Elum Lake, the crew reached the ailing hiker and her companions about an hour after departing the air station.

The SAR crew inserted two medical technicians about 100 yards from the hiking party’s location then landed to conserve fuel. Upon reaching the patient, the rescue personnel assessed and prepared the ailing victim to receive fluids. Just after 11:50 the SAR crew began the extraction of the patient and the rescue team via hoist.  The SAR team then flew her to Harborview Medical Center and turned her over to hospital personnel at 12:30 p.m.

Later that evening, the SAR crew received a report for a 65-year-old man who suffered a head injury in the Alpine Lakes area. Prior to leaving the air station around 7:30 p.m. the SAR crew contacted the Kittitas County Sheriff's Deputy who was managing the rescue efforts. During their preliminary conversations the crew learned that smoke that was prevalent during the earlier mission had dissipated.

After finding a suitable location to minimize any rotor downwash during the rescue, the SAR team inserted two rescue personnel about 200 yards away from the injured hiker. The injured man and rescue team were hoisted aboard the SAR aircraft around 8:40 that evening and flew directly to Harborview where they landed about a half hour later.

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island SAR has conducted 28 missions this calendar year, which includes 1 MEDEVAC, 4 searches and 23 rescues.

The Navy SAR unit operates three MH-60S helicopters from NAS Whidbey Island as search and rescue/medical evacuation (SAR/MEDEVAC) platforms for the EA-18G aircraft as well as other squadrons and personnel assigned to the installation. Pursuant to the National SAR Plan of the United States, the unit may also be used for civil SAR/MEDEVAC needs to the fullest extent practicable on a non-interference basis with primary military duties according to applicable national directives, plans, guidelines and agreements; specifically, the unit may launch in response to tasking by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (based on a Washington State Memorandum of Understanding) for inland missions, and/or tasking by the United States Coast Guard for all other aeronautical and maritime regions, when other assets are unavailable.

Healy crew and embarked researchers ventured onto a floe of MULTI-YEAR ICE.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                 RELEASE 23-060

                                                     August 10, 2023

NAS Whidbey Island will host Open House, 5K Run on Sept. 9

NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. – NAS Whidbey Island will host its annual open house for the public on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at Ault Field from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For those who wish to participate in the 5K run the gates will open at 7 a.m. for the 8 a.m. start. If not participating in the 5K run, the flight line for all other visitors will open at 9 a.m.

The public open house is an opportunity for the public to learn about past, current, and future operations at the Navy’s only air station in the Pacific Northwest and see last year’s Navy Installation of the Year. 

Aircraft static displays will include the EA-18G Growler, P-8A Poseidon, EP-3 Aries, and MH-60 Knighthawk helicopter. Aerial demonstrations planned at this time include the EA-18G, P-8 and Search and Rescue helicopter. 

There will also be other visual displays, K-9 Working Dog demonstrations, Explosive Ordnance Detachment displays, and activities for children. Aviation memorabilia will also be available for purchase as well as a variety of food and beverages. 

All visitors over the age of 18 will be required to have a state or government issued identification for access to the base. Visitors under the age of 18 who are not accompanied by an adult must have a state or government issued identification for access to the base. Residents from foreign countries should email the public affairs office at WHDB_NASWI_PAO@navy.mil at least three weeks prior to the event to obtain the proper access.

Due to security measures, the following items are not allowed on the base: alcohol, bags larger than 12"x6"x12", backpacks, weapons (to include pocket knives), coolers, professional cameras (to include telescopic lenses and tripods), and pets. Additionally, drugs or drug paraphernalia to include marijuana products are prohibited from the base. Items permitted will be strollers, diaper bags, small women's purses, wheelchairs, certified service dogs, bottled water, and small cameras.

For more information, go to: http://cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrnw/installations/nas_whidbey_island.html

https://www.facebook.com/NASWhidbeyIsland

The security boat struck a security barrier and sank on JANUARY 19TH. 

Cutter Healy, a Council-sponsored unit, crew conducted joint operations with the Sir Wilfrid Laurier July 30, in the BEAUFORT SEA.

Rear Admiral Charles Fosse relieved  Captain Olav Saboe on AUGUST 01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                  RELEASE 23-056

                                                                                                                        July 28, 2023

NAS Whidbey Island SAR Assists with Rescue at Mount St. Helens

NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. – A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island assisted in the rescue of an injured hiker off Mount St. Helens on July 27, 2023.

Late Wednesday night, July 26, the SAR team received a request for assistance for a 63-year-old hiker who broke his ankle while trekking on the southern rim of Mount St. Helens at an altitude over 7,500 ft.  Mount St. Helen’s Volcano Rescue Team (VRT) made the request for aerial transport to a lower elevation recovery area due to the steep rocky terrain and high altitude.

The SAR team launched just after midnight on July 27 and arrived on scene about shortly after 1 a.m. Upon arrival, the SAR crew immediately spotted lights used by the VRT who had reached the patient’s location.

After making a visual inspection of the area to determine the best course of action, the crew conducted a one-wheel landing on a mountain-side shoulder to insert two SAR team members with a litter.

While the SAR rescue team worked to secure the injured hiker, the SAR aviators conducted another in-flight visual inspection to scope out the landing area where an ambulance was waiting to transport the patient. Once the rescue team was ready for pickup, the Aviators conducted a second approach to a hover over the injured hiker and hoisted both him and the team from the side of the mountain. The SAR crew then dropped the patient off with the ambulance crew shortly before 2 a.m. and returned to base by 4 a.m. 

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island SAR has conducted 23 missions this calendar year, which includes 1 MEDEVAC, 4 searches and 18 rescues.

The Navy SAR unit operates three MH-60S helicopters from NAS Whidbey Island as search and rescue/medical evacuation (SAR/MEDEVAC) platforms for the EA-18G aircraft as well as other squadrons and personnel assigned to the installation.  Pursuant to the National SAR Plan of the United States, the unit may also be used for civil SAR/MEDEVAC needs to the fullest extent practicable on a non-interference basis with primary military duties according to applicable national directives, plans, guidelines and agreements; specifically, the unit may launch in response to tasking by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (based on a Washington State Memorandum of Understanding) for inland missions, and/or tasking by the United States Coast Guard for all other aeronautical and maritime regions, when other assets are unavailable.

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The ship is back home in the Northwest after a 70-DAY PATROL.

The Seattle-based icebreaker, a Council-sponsored unit, left Coast Guard Base Seattle Tuesday, July 11, for its MONTHS-LONG DEPLOYMENT.

The Navy says the E/A-18G Growlers were struck over Japan, with NO INJURIES REPORTED.