Naval Air Force Commander in Pacific Visits NAS Whidbey Island

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardel Gervacio, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Whidbey Island

OAK HARBOR, Wash (NNS) -- Commander, Naval Air Forces conducted a site visit to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Jan. 18-20.

Vice Adm. Allen G. Myers, who also serves as Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; toured the installation and visited various aviation commands.

During his three-day visit, Myers held a meeting at the NorWester Activity Center with ombudsmen and leadership from deploying commands. Before the start of the meeting, Myers thanked the crowd for coming and spoke on how well the base is supporting the aviation community.

The hour and a half meeting also covered Perform to Serve, deployment schedules, cost of living, and the downsizing of the military.

"Vice Adm. Myers gave us feedback on what is going on in Washington, D.C., and about the appropriation bill," said Cindy Carter of Tracy, Calif., an ombudsman for Patrol Reconnaissance Wing (CPRW) 10. "He came to talk about family concerns, the downsizing of the military, performance standards, how the rates are changing and Sailors' alternatives on keeping their careers."

Carter said the admiral's visit provided the opportunity for two-way conversation and a vehicle for feedback on ways to improve the installation.

"I think his presence here is great; it reinforces...that someone cares about us and wanted to hear all our feedback and what's happening with our military service members here on the base, as well as Navywide and what is going on overseas," said Carter.

Myers toured several other commands and installations, including attending briefs with Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 prior to flying in the back seat of an EA-18G Growler.

"We are excited to know that Vice Adm. Myers is coming here to visit and take a look at the Growlers specifically, and I'm able to take him flying and show him the big difference in the EA-18G Growler and its capabilities," said Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Inabnit of Helena, Mont., assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129. "He's Super Hornet-qualified right now, so we're concentrating on the differences between the F-18F Super Hornet and the EA-18G Growler. We want to show the admiral what the operator sees in the cockpit and what we have available to us in the Growler compared to the Hornet."

The flight over the Olympic Peninsula military operating area lasted an hour and a half. According to Inabnit, Myers really enjoyed his first flight in the Growler and was impressed with its capabilities.

On the final day of Myers' visit, he visited Fleet Readiness Center Northwest (FRC NW) Sailors in the transmitter, electronics, engine and structural work centers.

"I just think it's an honor and a privilege to have him come to Whidbey Island and be able to visit the squadron and the FRC NW spaces," said Cmdr. Kimberly Schulz, FRC NW commanding officer.

Schulz said she was excited to hear Myers thoughts and what he sees the in future of Naval aviation.

"Vice Admiral's visit here is really important for the Sailors," said Aviation Support Equipment Technician 1st Class (AW) Gabriel Shaw, of Oak Harbor, Wash., and FRC NW's Sailor of the Year. "It shows he has an interest in us and can see we're doing our jobs as we were trained in school."

During the three-day visit, Myers received in-depth briefs and met with leadership from the Electronic Attack Wing, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10, and NAS Whidbey Island, leaving with a better understanding of how 'Team Whidbey' works together to successfully accomplish their mission.

"I'm impressed by Team Whidbey," said Myers. "The pride and professionalism of Whidbey's Sailors, Marines, civilians and their families is evident in their performance and in everything I had the privilege to observe this week. Your passion for getting the job done and taking care of each other is commendable. Team Whidbey's contributions to naval aviation and our Navy are invaluable and truly appreciated."

Naval aviation plays a prominent role in conducting every core capability of the maritime strategy. This year marks the 100th anniversary of naval aviation. For more information on the Centennial of Naval Aviation, visit www.navy.mil/flynavy.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Northwest, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cnrnw/.