Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Washington

Operational since 1942, Whidbey is the only Naval Air Station in the Pacific Northwest, providing such services as air traffic control, ground electronics and communications maintenance, search and rescue operations, and extensive training exercises, including simulated aircraft carrier landings. NAS Whidbey Island is composed of two bases five miles apart – the Seaplane Base, located on the eastern shore of the island at the edge of the city of Oak Harbor, and Ault Field, northwest of the Seaplane Base. Also under the jurisdiction of the station are Outlying Field Coupeville and the Boardman Training Range in Oregon. Whidbey is home to Navy tactical electronic attack squadrons flying the EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler, as well as hosting four P-3 Orion Maritime Patrol squadrons and two Fleet Reconnaissance squadrons flying the EP-3E Aries. MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters are used for search and rescue operations.