As the face of warfare changes, the U.S. Navy and the other armed forces are continuing to adapt and add flexibility to their arsenals.

Capt. Syd Abernethy, Commanding Officer at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, gave his “State of the Station” address Thursday at a Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Abernethy said change is the one constant on which people can count.

“That is the constant for our future and we have to accept that as a Department of Defense and as a Navy,” he said. “That challenge is synonymous to driving along at 60 miles an hour and changing your oil at the same time. We cannot stop to change.”

Flexibility and adaptability are tantamount to success. The military has seen a shift in focus from traditional warfare, which the armed forces have employed in the past, to more preparation for asymmetrical warfare like the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Desert Storm showed that traditional warfare does not work against the United States, so many countries and other nation states are using unconventional methods that can range from irregular to catastrophic.

“We’re shifting our weight, changing and transforming so that we will be able to operate and be successful in these different areas…” Abernethy said. “You may remember pictures of special forces in Afghanistan riding horses. That’s a prime example of adapting and being flexible, and recognizing that you may need some different tools in order to counter a future threat.”

The captain discussed the Navy’s mission, which contains a common thread from the top down.

“It’s important to know why we’re here,” he told the chamber members. “From the top down, there is one common thread and that thread is readiness, in order to be able to conduct our mission.

“The bottom line is that we are here because we need people and aircraft ready for tasking to fight and win.”

Economic impact

Abernethy underscored the tremendous economic impact the base has on Oak Harbor. The military brings over $500 million a year to the local economy.

“That is significant,” he said. “There’s a fiscal impact.”

The aircraft ready for tasking include electronic attack wing, maritime patrol, fleet logistics, reconnaissance, and search and rescue. Although search and rescue’s primary mission is to pick aircrew out of the water after an ejection, they have also saved lives plucking civilians from Mount Baker and other areas. With a 24-hour readiness capability, the search and rescue team is a valuable community asset.

Through the Individual Augmentee Deployment program, sailors from the base have been placed on the ground to help support the war on terror.

“We have many sailors from this base involved in this and they’re usually gone for a year,” Abernethy said. “So, this has quite an impact and the skills that our sailors possess are in high demand.”

The captain said the military also has the flexibility to help with humanitarian response. Sailors from NAS Whidbey were sent to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, for example.

“That is an important aspect of what we do,” Abernethy said.

When the Skagit River recently threatened to flood, 138 sailors responded and helped make a sandbag barrier to protect the water treatment plant.

“The bottom line is that the treatment plant is safe,” Abernethy said.

On the horizon, the base will see several changes aircraft-wise, the E-18G Growler the most highly anticipated. The Growler will replace the EA-6B Prowler and the first planes will arrive in late 2007.

“The Growler will be here very, very shortly, just around the corner,” Abernethy said, adding that the transition should be complete in the summer of 2012.

In addition, the C-40A Clipper will replace the DC-9 Skytrain and the P-8A will replace the P-3 Orion.

“I think it’s a great picture for NAS,” the captain said of the future.

Facility upgrades

Myriad facility improvements will include a $57 million Hangar 5 upgrade to house the Growlers and a $10 million indoor wash rack to give sailors protection from the elements when washing aircraft.

“This is something near and dear to my heart,” Abernethy said of the wash rack.

Meanwhile, the housing project, a public/private venture with American Eagle Communities, is progressing nicely, the captain said.

“It’s quite an upgrade for our sailors and it’s a great quality of life addition,” he said. Only a small portion of personnel live on the base, which makes the housing invaluable.

Abernethy stressed the importance of forming community partnerships to help make “win-win” situations. A recent partnership between the Navy, Plum Creek Seed Orchard, Whidbey Camano Land Trust, and Island Transit preserved a buffer near Outlying Field. An “aircraft on a stick” will be in place this fall to greet visitors to Oak Harbor and the island. The formidable structure will sit at Highway 20 and Ault Field Road.

A key to the Navy’s future will be a dynamic, long-range plan. NASWI 2025 is a plan that will help direct the base by making sound decisions today to ensure a bright future. In addition to the long-range plan, the other top priorities are having a manning strategy for the future, leveraging technology, workforce development, and working with communities on encroachment issues.

When asked by a chamber member if new squadrons will be dispatched to the base in the future, Abernethy said NAS Whidbey is a “national treasure” because of its unencumbered airspace, which would make it available for future missions if needed.

For people in the community who believe living closer to the base ensures that electricity will be restored quicker during power outages, the captain had an answer.

“I just wanted to note for the record that my power came on at 0500 this morning, so that may not be as true as you think,” Abernethy quipped.