NAS Whidbey Island

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ICAO Code KNUW/NUW
Last Validated 01-2012
City Oak Harbour, WA
Position 48°21'06"N 122°39'12"W
Runway(s) 07/25, 13/31
Elevation 47 ft

General

NAS Whidbey Island is a naval air station, located in two sections around Oak Harbor. It was commissioned as an active U.S. Navy installation on 21 September 1942. The main portion of the base is called Ault Field. Ault Field is located approximately three miles north of Oak Harbor. The other section of the air station is known as the Seaplane Base. Originally home to PBY Catalina flying boats, the air station's main Navy Exchange and DeCA Commissary are located here, as is most of the Navy housing on the island.

A lightly utilized satellite airfield, Naval Outlying Landing Field (=NOLF) Coupeville (ICAO: KNRA), is located on central Whidbey Island at 48°11′24″N 122°37′48″W / 48.19°N 122.63°W / 48.19; -122.63, roughly nine miles south of Ault Field. This airfield is primarily utilized for Field Carrier Landing Practice (=FCLP) by carrier-based jet aircraft and has no permanently assigned personnel. Full stops are only authorized at this airstrip in case of an emergency. Be aware that spotting near Whidbey Island is not always appreciated, so we suggest to keep a low profile while in the area.

Layout

The base has two runways, of which runway 7 - 25 is used most of the times. The base is surrounded by woods and is elevated on different places which makes watching quite difficult. From the west, the base can only be watched from a boat since it faces the Pacific Ocean.

Getting There

To reach NAS Whidbey Island, follow state highway 20 which can be found by taking exit 229 from Interstate 5 near Burlington. This road leads past Deception Pass State Park, which is worth visiting en-route to the airfield. At the junction at spot 2 (can't be missed because of the two guards) take a right turn into West Ault Field Road. Take the fourth exit on your right into Langley blvd and you will be at the main gate and spot 1 of our guide.

Around the Airport

1Road guards

At the junction with the State Highway, you will find the preserved EA-6B and A-6E guarding the road towards the base. Arriving from the south, take a left turn here towards the main gate at spot 2.

2Main Gate

From here, you can see some Orions on your right hand side. There is a parking lot available with adjacent preserved A-3 and A-6. However, be aware you are in full sight of any base employee entering the base and they will probably not like your telescope there.

3Runway 25

Be aware! This spot seems to be at private property! Drive back past sport 1 and then towards the north, and take the first exit on the left again. Follow N. Hoffman road until it ends at the base fence. From here you can see only a small part of the base but you do have a great sight on aircraft departing Runway 7 and/or arriving at runway 25. Also those arriving at runway 7 at using the entire length of the runway can be spotted and photographed from this spot.

4Approach 25

If you want to take pictures of aircraft arriving at runway 25 but want to stay out of sight of the base, drive back south from spot 3 and take the first exit on the left. On this road there is a parking lot for a single car near the position of spot 4 on the map. Aircraft will be a bit higher compared to spot 3 from here.

5North view

Although watching from outside is a challenge, there are some views from the north. Drive back to the north from spot 4 and take a left turn into N Monkey Hill Road after approximately 5 minutes of driving. For the first 200 meters from the corner towards the west it is possible to see the active ramps with EA-18Gs and Orions.

6North view #2

When turning right from N. Monkey Hill Rd (spot 5), take a right into W Sullivan Rd until you reach N De Graff Rd. From here you will be able to have some views towards the airbase but only in automn and winter time (no leaves in the trees).

7Runway 13

There is a parking lot at the beach from where aircraft using runway 13 can be watched. Drive back towards state highway 20 and turn left at the third exit while driving towards the north. Follow this road and turn left into Powell road after 50 meters. This road leads you to the parking lot. From here you can walk along the beach towards the base to position yourself closer to the runway, but be aware that some parts of the beach are private property.

Spot 3 offers the best views on both departing and arriving aircraft. This unmarked P-3C used the entire length of the runway and poses nicely in front of the camera. (Melchior Timmers)

Departing aircraft might turn-up a bit high at spot 3 (certainly the EA-18Gs), but the venerable Prowler needed more runway length and therefor stays a bit lower. (Melchior Timmers)

Frequencies

124.150 & 379.900Clearance Delivery
135.100Pre-Taxi Clearance
121.750 & 336.400Ground
127.900 & 340.200Tower
118.200 & 285.650Approach & Departure (West)
120.700 & 270.800Approach & Departure (East)
134.150 & 281.500ATIS
121.500 & 243.000Emergency

Based Operators

VAQ-129EA-18G
VAQ-130EA-18G
VAQ-131EA-18G
VAQ-132EA-18G
VAQ-133EA-18G
VAQ-134EA-18G
VAQ-135EA-18G
VAQ-136EA-18G
VAQ-137EA-18G
VAQ-138EA-18G
VAQ-139EA-18G
VAQ-140EA-18G
VAQ-142EA-18G
VAQ-209EA-18G
VR-61C-40A
Base FlightMH-60S
VP-1P-8A
VP-4 P-8A
VP-9P-8A
VP-40P-8A
VP-46P-3C
VP-47P-8A
VP-69P-3C
VQ-1EP-3E, P-3C

Preserved

144825NRA-3B, near main gate
149482KA-6A, near main gate
152907A-6E, at spot 1
158036EA-6B, at spot 1
156478EA-6B, on base
152764P-3B, on base

More Info

NAS Whidbey IslandOfficial website
NAS Resource GuideWebsite
Base guideWebsite

Other Airfields

Coupeville NOLF
Everett - Paine Field (Snohomish County)  
NAS Whidbey Island  
Renton - Municipal (Clayton Scott Field)  
Seattle - Boeing Field (King Couty Intl)  
Seattle - Tacoma International
Sequim Valley  
Tacoma Narrows  

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