Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

Branch: U.S. Navy
Location: Oak Harbor, Washington
Installation Type: Naval Air Station
Status: Active

Overview

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is located on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound, Washington, approximately 50 miles north of Seattle. The installation is the Navy’s largest master jet base on the West Coast and home to the EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft – the Navy’s primary airborne electronic warfare platform. NAS Whidbey Island hosts the Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet, operating multiple squadrons of EA-18G Growlers, and the Navy’s only combat search and rescue helicopter squadron operating the HH-60H Seahawk on the West Coast. The base is spread across multiple areas including Ault Field (primary airfield and headquarters), Seaplane Base, and Outlying Landing Field Coupeville.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Conduct carrier-based electronic attack and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) with the EA-18G Growler; conduct combat search and rescue operations; train and deploy electronic attack squadrons in support of carrier strike groups and joint operations.
Major Units: Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (EAWPAC) headquarters; Airborne Electronic Attack Squadrons (VAQ) – multiple EA-18G Growler squadrons; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85 (HSC-85, HH-60H, combat rescue); Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) elements
Tenant Units: Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC-30 detachments); various Pacific Fleet aviation support commands

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Oak Harbor, WA (population approximately 25,000) immediately adjacent to base; Anacortes – approximately 30 km east (via ferry or bridge); Seattle – approximately 80 km south (via ferry or Deception Pass bridge); Everett – approximately 50 km south
Nearest Commercial Airport: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – approximately 95 km south; Bellingham International Airport (BLI) – approximately 50 km north via the mainland (ferry + drive)
Gate Access: Main gate on Langley Boulevard (Ault Field); Seaplane Base gate; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; Whidbey Island access via Deception Pass Bridge (north) or Washington State Ferry (south from Mukilteo)

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 7,500
Family Members: Approximately 9,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 3,500
Total Installation Population: Approximately 20,000

Key Facilities

Medical: Naval Hospital Oak Harbor (NHOH) – full service hospital; inpatient and outpatient care; emergency services; comprehensive specialties; OB/GYN; pediatrics; pharmacy; strong Navy Medicine hospital serving the island
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – Navy Exchange (NEX) and facilities
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; indoor and outdoor pools; golf course (Whidbey Golf Club); bowling; auto skills; Puget Sound recreational boating, kayaking, clamming, crabbing; whale watching (orca whales frequent Puget Sound area); Pacific Northwest outdoor recreation (hiking, skiing at Mount Baker 2 hours)
Schools: Oak Harbor School District serves military families; no DoDEA schools; Oak Harbor schools are well-accustomed to military families and are generally well-regarded; community is strongly connected to the base; high school graduation rates are solid
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists common; register early
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office, NAS Whidbey Island; appointment-based

Housing

On-Post Housing: Navy Housing on base; family housing neighborhoods; condition generally good; island living creates strong preference for on-base housing
Average Wait Time: 30-90 days typical; island location limits off-post options; apply immediately on receipt of orders
Off-Post Housing: Oak Harbor city and surrounding Whidbey Island communities; Coupeville (historic, charming); island housing is somewhat limited; average rent approximately $1,500-$2,200/month for 3-bedroom home; Pacific Northwest housing has increased in cost; some families live on the mainland (Anacortes, Burlington, Mount Vernon) and commute via Deception Pass Bridge; Washington state has no income tax
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining squadron or command; EAWPAC and VAQ squadron sponsorship programs; island location creates unique community dynamic
In-Processing: NAS Whidbey Island in-processing; typically 2-3 days; squadron in-processing for aviation personnel
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Fleet and Family Support Center; enrollment required; Naval Hospital Oak Harbor provides baseline care; specialist referrals to Naval Medical Center Oak Harbor or civilian providers in Everett or Seattle for complex cases

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Oceanic/maritime; mild summers (average high 70F/21C in July; rarely hot); mild winters (average low 36F/2C in January; rarely extremely cold); frequent clouds, rain, and drizzle October through April; Pacific Northwest “rain shadow” effect means Whidbey Island gets somewhat less rain than Seattle; evergreen forests are beautiful year-round
Cost of Living: Moderate; Pacific Northwest costs have risen but Whidbey Island and Oak Harbor remain more affordable than Seattle or Tacoma; no state income tax in Washington is beneficial
Nearby Attractions: Deception Pass State Park (one of Washington’s most visited parks – dramatic bridge over a tidal channel, hiking, beach, whale watching); San Juan Islands (accessible by ferry from Anacortes, 30 km); Victoria, British Columbia (ferry from Port Townsend or Anacortes); Mount Baker skiing (80 km); Seattle (80 km, major city cultural amenities); Puget Sound whale watching (orca, humpback, grey whales); Pacific Northwest cuisine (seafood, coffee culture, craft beer); Cascades hiking (North Cascades National Park); Olympic National Park (2 hours by ferry)
Spouse Employment: Oak Harbor and Whidbey Island employment limited; healthcare (Naval Hospital Oak Harbor, Island Hospital in Anacortes), education, retail; mainland commute to Everett or Burlington broadens options; remote work important for many; Boeing in Everett is the world’s largest manufacturing building and a major employer for those willing to commute; A&FRC / Fleet and Family Support Center assists

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrnw/installations/naswhidbeyisland.html
Main Installation Phone: (360) 257-2211
MWR Website: https://whidbeyisland.navymwr.org (verify current URL)
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC), NAS Whidbey Island; (360) 257-2510; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrnw/installations/naswhidbeyisland.html; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/naval-air-station-whidbey-island; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NavalAirStationWhidbeyIsland, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law