— from Anthony Popp Assistant Public Affairs Officer, NAS Whidbey Island —
Field Carrier Landing Practice (FLCP) operations for aircraft stationed at NAS Whidbey Island are now scheduled to occur at the Outlying Field (OLF) in Coupeville, Wash., from late morning into the afternoon, vice evening on Dec. 2, 2014.
The FCLP tempo is driven by the Fleet Replacement Squadron student training curriculum and pre-deployment carrier EA-18G Growler squadron flight qualifications. It can also fluctuate due to weather, maintenance and operational requirements.
Flight schedules for OLF Coupeville will continue to be released weekly for community planning purposes. Comments, including noise complaints can be directed to NAS Whidbey Island’s comment line at (360) 257-6665, or via e-mail: comments.NASWI@navy.mil. All other questions can be directed to NAS Whidbey Island Public Affairs Office at (360) 257-2286.
The Navy’s OLF at Coupeville is a critical national security asset that provides essential training for Navy pilots based at NAS Whidbey Island to conduct safe and effective aircraft carrier flight operations around the world.
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Today’s Field Carrier Landing Practice at OLF Coupeville, might (prolly?) be a requal before ‘goin’ to the boat,’ as a replacement squadron on the USS Bush One, on station in the war zone, or a carrier soon to leave San Diego. They have had Thanksgiving with their families, and will be gone a long time. Give them your blessings, while we stay safely at home watching football.
These VAQers drive the new EA-18Golf Whammer Jammers, installed with state-of-the-art classified num-num electronics. They are very important. They go in early, evaluate enemy frequencies, and set up the jam, so our blaster boys can safely do their jobs.
Please support them.
As a former Airborne grunt, and having looked up and watched as the Zoomies and, my favorite, the slow movers work the tree line, I know all too well how important realistic training ensures a safe return home to waiting families.
Good luck and God speed.
I could be considered a “tree-hugging liberal” but I happen to have a son who flies fighter jets. So as much as I’d like perfect quiet while sitting on my deck, I don’t mind some jet noise, because I understand the importance of training for these dedicated citizens, many of whom are our own kids.