As part of Washington state’s annual Navy Day celebration, Gov. Jay Inslee took the opportunity to recognize seven Whidbey Island Naval Air Station personnel on Feb. 11, 2015, for their actions rescuing seven people from the Oso Mudslide last year.
Inslee said it was an honor to recognize and pay respects to men he called heroes for their actions that day.
NAS Whidbey Island’s SAR was one of the first rescue units on scene following the devastating mudslide on March 22, 2014. At one point during the rescue operations the helicopter returned to the air station and picked up base fire fighters from Navy Region Northwest Fire & Emergency Services Battalion No. 3.
Former Naval Aircrewman 2nd Class David Scott, one of the people recognized at Navy Day, was the crew chief on the base’s helicopter that day. An experience he called bittersweet.
“It was a good feeling to help rescue people caught up in the mudslide,” Scott explained. “But it was frustrating having to pull out while knowing people were still trapped.” That sentiment still lingers with many of them today. Mission Commander, Lt. Cmdr. David Waner, the Helicopter
Aircraft Commander, said he still thinks about that day and still wishes he could have done more.
Inslee was joined by Rear Adm. Jeffrey Ruth, Commander, Navy Region Northwest, during the ceremony in the State Capital Rotunda where the following personnel were recognized:

• Lt. Cmdr. David D. Warner- Air Medal (individual action)
• Lt. Robert A. Merin- Air Medal (individual action)
• Chief Naval Aircrewmen Richard L. Andraschko -Navy Marine Corps Medal
• Naval Aircrewmen 2nd Class David A. Scott- Air Medal (individual action)
• Firefighter/ Emergency Medical Technician Michael Wenzel – Navy Fire & Emergency Life Saving Award
• Firefighter/ Emergency Medical Technician Ian Walton – Navy Fire & Emergency Life Saving Award
• Firefighter/ Emergency Medical Technician Kevin Paggao- Navy Fire & Emergency Life Saving Award

“We were honored to be there and see everyone recognized,” said Merin, who was the mission co-pilot the day of the mudslide. “We are happy to support the state and do good work in the community.”
The Navy SAR unit operates three MH-60 helicopters from NAS Whidbey as search and rescue platforms for the EA-18G aircraft as well as other squadrons and personnel assigned to the installation. The base also has an agreement to assist Washington State with medical evacuations and search and rescue activities.