Veterans from around North Whidbey have come out in strong support of the controversial touch-and-go operations at Outlying Field Coupeville.

In addition to writing letters to the editor, local veterans have also appeared at pro-OLF rallies to show their support of the Navy and its operations.

Veterans have also been critical of a Central Whidbey community group’s decision to sue the Navy for not meeting EPA standards in its use of the outlying runway for touch-and-go operations.

The Navy decided to suspend field carrier landing practice at OLF in May, and the opposing group — Citizens of the Ebey’s Reserve for a Healthy, Safe and Peaceful Environment — filed a federal lawsuit against the Navy in July. The complaint demands the Navy conduct a new, in-depth environmental impact study.

Veterans of all branches of military have attended pro-OLF rallies held Saturdays at the corner of Pioneer Way and State Highway 20 with American flags and signs with messages like “I support the sound of freedom,” “Pardon our noise — it’s the sound of freedom,” and “Let ‘Em Bounce.”

Oak Harbor City Council candidate Skip Potilla, who served 20 years in the Navy as a bombadeer and navigator, trained at OLF during his time stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

“The training provided at OLF is invaluable for landing on aircraft carriers,” Pohtilla said.

Kathy Garry, wife of a Navy veteran, whose father, sister and brother have all served in the military, said she was tired of the squeaky minority getting the grease and had to start speaking out.

“I’m exercising my first amendment right,” Garry said. “The majority needs to come out. There are power in numbers.”

Navy veteran Ken Mielke and his wife Mitzi said they were concerned about the safety of pilots who would not be receiving the quality training that OLF provides.

“Those pilots have got to have the best training possible,” Mitzi Mielke said. “How would they feel if we had an incident and those pilots weren’t properly trained?”

Mac McDowell, retired Navy veteran and former county commissioner, has been vocal in his support of the Navy and its use of OLF both through letters to the editor as well as making statements to the Island County commissioners.

“Many of us live under the flight pattern, signed a noise agreement and proudly support both our fighting aviators and county’s economic engine,” McDowell said at a recent board meeting.

“To the majority, your support and actions matter more than you can imagine to both our Whidbey sailors, but also those at the Pentagon who make basing decisions. The handful of ‘Reservists’ are attempting to create an artificial public opinion and leverage this to sway courts in a multiple lawsuit scheme.”