Editor,

I am a subscriber to the Vashon Beachcomber newspaper and, as a resident of Vashon, I am also lucky enough to spend a portion of each week on Whidbey.

Your recent article of Jan. 31, 2015, regarding jet noise and the Navy’s intention to almost double flights that have an environmental impact on populated areas reminded me of several times last year when I was woken up by jet noise in Greenbank. I was also reminded of coming to Coupeville on the ferry from Port Townsend into what sounded like an aerial war zone. I could not believe the level of noise and the low-flying planes. I was saddened to walk Ebey’s Landing and be distracted by the same noise level. I could only shake my head and leave the island.

Other residents of Coupeville may quietly harbor the same feeling that the quality of life will surely be impacted by the noted significant increase in training flights. Who defines a “quality of life that is worth struggling for?” I, as a visitor, can “put up with it for a while.” If I lived there, I’d be concerned how the increased air training and loud noise would affect my property value, not to mention my quality of life.

Ed Holmes

Vashon Island