Stormclouds over NAS Whidbey’s P-3 community

U.S. Congressman Rick Larsen made official this week rumors that the Navy has decided to send new P8-A “Poseidon” aircraft to Hawaii and Florida rather than Whidbey Island. Larsen said in a press release that he “is not happy” with the Navy’s decision, and Oak Harbor Mayor Jim Slowik suggested it is “too soon to panic” about the decision. NAS Whidbey currently serves as home base for several P-3 (pictured above) squadrons, but this aircraft is scheduled for retirement. One estimate is that the P-3 squadrons represent about one-third of naval aviation activities at the air base. Many active duty Navy personnel live on Fidalgo Island, and the air base definitely provides a “ripple effect” on the local economy. See the link above for an article in the Whidbey News-Times. Click on the photo to link to Congressman Larsen’s website.