Editor,

When the last EA-6B retires, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station’s EA-18G Growlers will be the only U.S. airborne electronic jammers and therefore responsible to protect and defend all U.S. military and allies’ forces worldwide.

The Chief of Naval Operations wants to add up to 36 additional EA-18G Growlers, including two shore-based (non-carrier) squadrons, along with the support jobs and personnel to Whidbey.

There are meetings 4-8 p.m. Oct. 28, 29 and 30 in Coupeville, Oak Harbor and Anacortes to accept comments in the EIS process.

In 1989-90, a Coupeville anti-Navy group was instrumental through complaint efforts to get NAS Whidbey on the 1991 Base Realignment and Closure list.

A similar anti-Navy Coupeville group is again trying to shut down NAS Whidbey by forcing the Growlers to cease flying on Whidbey.

In 1990, the local community did not respond prior to BRAC. On either Oct. 28, 29 or 30, you have the opportunity to respond proactively supporting NAS Whidbey’s expansion and telling the Navy the Coupeville anti-Navy group represents a very vocal but extreme minority of residents.

Seventy-plus years of Navy operations at NAS Whidbey/OLF Coupeville should be grandfathered to allow the Navy to return to the same number of Navy personnel and jobs as was here when the A-6 was operational.

The expansion is needed nationally. Hopefully this time, different from 1991, we can proactively support the Navy, defeat the anti-Navy efforts and keep NAS Whidbey off the 2017 BRAC closure list.

If you can’t attend, you can comment, supporting the Navy on www.whidbeyeis.com

If you don’t have internet access, call Mac McDowell at 360-929-8207 for a comment form.

This time, the community needs to work to protect NAS Whidbey and to protect our local economy. The Washington governor’s economic report indicates NAS Whidbey is the source of 88 percent of all economic activity in Island County.

Mac McDowell

Oak Harbor