Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, in Oak Harbor, Washington, 90 miles north of Seattle, is home to the Navy’s EA-18G Growler squadrons as well as the P-8 Poseidon, and more than 25 tenant commands are located there, according to the NAS Whidbey Island MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview. It is two bases five miles apart: Ault Field, on the western shore, with the squadrons, headquarters and health clinic, and the Seaplane Base, on the eastern shore at the edge of Oak Harbor, with the Commissary.

Checking in

Newly arriving personnel check in with the station officer of the deck at the base quarterdeck, Building 385, open 24 hours a day (360-257-2631), per the check-in page. If you are joining a tenant command or squadron, report to its duty office; if the command is deployed, check in with the officer of the deck to be referred to the correct administrative wing. Base-wide indoctrination briefings are held monthly and are open to family members.

From I-5, take Exit 230 to WA-20 West and cross the Deception Pass Bridge; the overview describes that stretch as a long, winding and often dark two-lane road. Ault Field’s Charles Porter Gate is open 24 hours, the installation page says, and it is the only gate you can use with a rental moving truck, trailer or camper.

Temporary lodging: 21 days and early reservations

A maximum of 21 days of Temporary Lodging Expense is authorized for each PCS to this area, and the check-in page advises arranging lodging as soon as possible because of seasonal tourist events and limited availability. The Navy Lodge on the Seaplane Base takes reservations up to one year in advance with orders (800-628-9466); Navy Gateway Inns and Suites is on Ault Field (877-628-9233). Both have pet-friendly rooms.

Housing: privatized partners

“Navy Family Housing in the Northwest is privatized”, and the Navy’s partners are Hunt Military Communities and Carroll’s Creek Landing, according to Navy Region Northwest’s Whidbey housing page. PPV housing requires a lease of at least one year, and your BAH is paid to the partner by allotment. Priority goes to service members first; for priorities and waitlists, contact the Housing Service Center (360-257-3331).

If you own firearms: the installation page says no weapons are allowed on Ault Field or the Seaplane Base; residents of government quarters must register their weapons with the base, 24/7 at the Torpedo gate on the Seaplane Base; and firearms in PPV housing must be registered with the PPV Housing Office within three days of occupancy or procurement.

Medical care: no emergency room at the clinic

“There are no emergency services at NHCOH”, the health care page says. “If an emergency occurs, please call 911 and they will transport you to the closest hospital emergency room, either WhidbeyHealth in Coupeville or Island Health in Anacortes.” Naval Health Clinic Oak Harbor, Building 993 on Ault Field (360-257-9500), is a small outpatient facility; appointments go through the Puget Sound Regional Appointment Center (800-404-4506).

Because of the rural location, some educational and medical services may require more than a two-hour commute, to Seattle, Bremerton or Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the overview says; if you have a family member in the Exceptional Family Member Program, contact the Fleet and Family Support Center EFM Liaison (360-257-6289).

Spouse employment

Employment opportunities on Whidbey Island are very limited, MilitaryINSTALLATIONS says; the Fleet and Family Support Center’s Family Employment Readiness Program (866-854-0638) can help.

Before you arrive

Reserve lodging early, save the 911 rule for the clinic, and contact the Housing Service Center about the PPV waitlist.