Editor,

It’s not a matter of “if” the Outlying Field Coupeville will close, it’s more a matter of “when” it’s going to close, and I believe each of us on the island needs to be making plans and preparations for that eventuality.

It was the right thing to build in the early 1940s when it was first developed and it served its purpose admirably.

With the advent of the EA-6Bs, the Prowler, and the current EA-18Gs, the Growlers, however, OLF has become obsolete, and there’s little that can be done to bring it in line with environmental requirements or the deep issues with its neighboring community, Coupeville.

OLF has little room for required crash zones surrounding it as the community struggles to grow.

Our hospital patients suffer from the noise; our school children’s learning is frequently interrupted as teachers voices are drowned out; and the comfort of life of those living beneath or close to the flight path is terrorized.

No, it’s not a matter of ‘if’ it closes, it’s a matter of ‘when’ OLF operations will have to cease.

Ken Spicer

Coupeville