NAS Whidbey Island Air Terminal Gets Sailors on Their Way

OAK HARBOR, WA, UNITED STATES

02.04.2020

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc Cuenca 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

Sailors shake off sleet from their uniforms as they enter the Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Air Terminal. Regardless of the February winter weather, the Sailors have a mission to complete and a flight to catch. After the air terminal team complete TSA pre-checks the Sailors sit in rows of blue plastic airport seating waiting for their departure.

The NAS Whidbey Island Air Terminal is a mission-based facility made up of more than 40 personnel working day and night to get military service members where they need to be.

“The air terminal’s primary function is to get squadrons on deployment and once the mission is complete we welcome them home,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd class Katherine McNally, assigned to NAS Whidbey Island Operations Air Terminal.

Squadrons are processed in small groups, with the main body leaving and chase detachments following behind. McNally said that deploying a whole squadron with cargo weighs millions of pounds, decreasing the number of seats available.

Assisting with squadron homecomings is another service of the air terminal.

“We work together with the ombudsman or family representatives to welcome squadrons home, which is as important as sending them off,” said McNally. “They may have been gone for months so coming home to see their families is meaningful.”

Jim Coleman, cargo load supervisor, assigned to NAS Whidbey Island Air Terminal, said that other operations the air terminal supports are relief missions for hospitals requesting blood or preparing for special incoming flights for dignitaries.

“The air terminal is also in charge of maintaining the flight line,” said Coleman. “Duties such as flight line snow removal, de-icing aircrafts, and refueling.”

Additionally, the air terminal provides military servicemembers, their spouses, and retirees access to Space Available (Space-A) flights. The Space-A program permits travel on aircraft under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Defense if space is available.

“If an aircraft has seats free, they allow travel to a destination, but it is recommended that those who fly Space-A have a flight back as flights are by availability,” said McNally.”

Back in the air terminal, the Sailors waiting for their flight are called to the gate. It’s a dash through the sleet again, onto a bus for a short ride, then they climb the stairs into a C-40 Clipper. The cargo is loaded, the passengers seated, and they are off on the first step in their deployment. It’s a process that occurs day or night and when it’s done the NAS Whidbey Island Air Terminal stands by for future operations.

• Date Taken: 02.04.2020
• Date Posted: 02.18.2020 13:30
• Story ID: 362158
• Location: OAK HARBOR, WA, US