In an effort to improve service to local communities, and enhance focus on airfield safety, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station is establishing a new comment line and email address where community members can express their thoughts, concerns and issues beginning May 28.

Using this method will allow members of the public an opportunity to provide concentrated and comprehensive feedback, including noise complaints. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island operations duty officers, or ODOs, will continue to concentrate on their primary functions, which includes managing daily operations on the airfield, providing services to squadron personnel, safety of the airfield and coordinating responses to airfield emergencies.

This process is already in place at other Naval Air Stations and has improved communications between the public and the installation. The new comment process will consist of an automated phone line and/or an email address where people can provide detailed feedback regarding their particular concern.

While these new procedures will allow NAS Whidbey Island’s ODOs to better focus on critical airfield management activities, they will retain the ability to monitor feedback, including phone calls and emails, and influence ongoing operations as necessary.

Email is the preferred process for comments as it gives people an opportunity to expound on their issue or concern, allows people to use a variety of communication devices and is more efficient to monitor, according to base officials.

The new phone number for this service, including noise complaints or concerns, is 360-257-6665.

Comments can also be emailed to comments.NASWI@navy.mil