Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is preparing to celebrate the Centennial of Naval Aviation in grand style, with its first public event of this magnitude since its 60th anniversary celebration in 2002.

The main celebration will take place Saturday, July 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with activities at both the Ault Field Base and Seaplane Base.

The public event gets underway with a 5K Flightline Run at 9 a.m. on Ault Field. Runners should be at the start line at 8 a.m. Online registration is available through 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 27. Cost to pre-register is $25.

Those who register on race day must do so in person, at least one hour prior to start time. Cost to register the day of the race is $30. The price includes a commemorative T-shirt, chip timing and a commemorative coin for all finishers. Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in each age group.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors to Ault Field can spend the day walking through static displays of military aircraft, ranging from vintage World War II planes to modern Navy jets, patrol aircraft and helicopters. Navy Search and Rescue will perform an over land rescue demonstration on Ault Field Base at 11 a.m. and an over water rescue will be demonstrated at noon on Seaplane Base.

There will be classic cars on display at both locations as well, and Whidbey Island Radio Control Society will be conducting demonstrations at Ault Field throughout the day. Another event highlight at Seaplane Base will be the 2 p.m. splash down of a PBY Catalina in Crescent Harbor. The PBY was one of the first planes to arrive at NAS Whidbey and is generally hailed as one of the most useful and versatile aircraft of the second World War.

According to NAS Whidbey’s commanding officer, there will be no shortage of things to see and hear.

“They’ll see a lot of old airplanes and be able to take a look at them. Some planes will be all painted up. There will be a Growler there, and a number of old warbirds,” said Capt. Jay Johnston. “There will be some good speakers, too, who can relay stories of the good ol’ days.”

Tales of Naval Aviation will take place in Hangar One, and will feature various speakers throughout the day, ranging from survivors of the Battle of Midway to those who conducted combat operations in Vietnam and Korea, to authors who have written about WWII battles, the A-6 Intruder and about the Navy in Puget Sound. The first speaker will take the stage at 10:30 a.m.

There will be no shortage of entertainment for children, either. There will be the ever-popular bouncy toys, a climbing wall and carnival games all day in the Kids Zone, which will be located in Haviland Hangar. There will also be clowns and face painting from noon to 3 p.m. Seattle’s Museum of Flight will present its traveling show, Flying Gizmos, at 10: 30 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Predators of the Heart, Washington’s largest traveling wildlife exhibit, will have shows at 11:45 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.

Those interested can also stroll through the exhibit of Centennial of Naval Aviation quilts. Local quilting groups will also be on hand to demonstrate and answer questions.

For those who can’t go home without a souvenir to commemorate the day, squadrons will be selling patches, hats, mugs and other memorabilia. Food and concessions will be available at the Ault Field location only.

Lots of aircraft to see at centennial fly-in:

There will be several aircraft on display at the Centennial of Naval Aviation event on July 30, including:

Vintage:

– F7F Tigercat

– F8F Bearcat

– B-25D Mitchell

– P-51B Mustang

– Beaver

– SNJ (T-6 Texan)

– A-1 Skyraider

– PT-13 Stearman

– P-51 Mustang

-De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver

– RC-45J

– T-28 Trojan

– AD-1 Skyraider

– Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

Modern:

– EA-6B, Coral Sea paint

– EA-18G, in WWII colors

– P-3

– FA-18C

– FA-18C Wingman

Entrance and parking:

For the general public, NAS Whidbey security will direct traffic onto the base via Hoffman Road and Banta Road/Hammer Gate, beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing throughout the day.

Visitors with vehicle decals and identification cards (active duty and Reserve personnel, retirees, DoD civilians, contractors and family members) should enter the base via Langley Gate off Ault Field Road.

Visitors to Seaplane Base may use all entrances.

Centennial Program:

A special section covering NAS Whidbey Island’s aviation celebration will appear in the July 27 issue of the Whidbey News-Times and in the July 29 issue of the Whidbey Crosswind.

Other Events:

There are a few Centennial events scheduled leading up to the grand event on July 30:

Thursday, July 28

Golf Tournament at Gallery Golf Course: The Centennial of Naval Aviation golf tournament has filled. However, reservations are being accepted for a waiting list. If enough reservations are made, officials say they will open an afternoon tournament. The event is open to the public. Anyone interested in afternoon play should complete a registration form at www.navylifepnw.com/Portals_Rainbow/images/WI/CONA/cona_golf_tournament.pdf and return it to Gallery Golf Course as soon as possible. Cost to participate is $60 per person. Call 257-2178 for information.

Friday, July 29

There will be an all-hands reception and barbecue from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Chief Petty Officers’ Club on Ault Field Road. Advance tickets are $15; tickets at the door are $20. There will be live music as well. Call 257-2891 for details.

The Commanding Officer’s Reception and BBQ  will take place starting at 3 p.m. at the Officers’ Club on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Advance tickets are $15 or $20 at the door. There will be a sampling of breweries’ special beer and those attending can watch vintage aircraft fly in for the next day’s events. There will be a live band to entertain. Information is available by calling 257-2521.