A 70 year partnership between the city of Oak Harbor and the Navy is the subject of a video presentation to be shown at the Centennial of Naval Aviation Saturday.

Mayor Jim Slowik said the unique occasion of the centennial was reason enough for the presentation — although the Navy’s significance to the city isn’t limited to just holidays and special remembrances.

“We wanted to do something important to highlight the centennial,” said Slowik. “At the same time, we wanted to emphasize a shared history here that not only stretches back many years, but that we trust extends well into the future, too.”

The 17-minute video presentation, which covers the 70-year presence of the Navy in Oak Harbor, will be available for viewing by visitors and small groups at the Centennial event on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Accompanied by music and voice-over, the film will cycle continuously so  people can view the history of the Navy in Oak Harbor — from the very beginning up to the present day — at their convenience.

Slowik said that the film documents “the conversion of farm fields to air fields” back in the 1940’s.

“It will also cover the challenges the city was confronting about 20 years ago, when the base was placed on a list of possible closures by the Department of Defense,” said Slowik.

Other highlights of the video depict how the city and businesses go about making decisions in an environment shaped by deploying service members and their families.

Slowik said he plans to present NAS Whidbey commanding officer Capt. Jay Johnston with several copies of the video documentary. The presentation will also run intermittently on local television channel 10.