OAK HARBOR – Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, home of the Navy’s electronic warfare air fleet, is the U.S. Navy’s top military installation, according to the Defense Department.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Monday announced that the base was selected as the Navy recipient of the 2006 Commander in Chief Annual Award for Installation Excellence. The award recognizes outstanding and innovative efforts by the people who operate and maintain military installations.
An award ceremony is scheduled for May 5 in Washington, D.C.
“We are deeply honored to receive this award,” said Capt. Syd Abernethy, Whidbey’s commanding officer. “My personal thanks and appreciation go out to the dedicated military and civilian work force, who work every day to support our tenant commands and enhance the quality of life for our military men and women and their families.”
Abernethy attributes the air station’s success to conducting business using an integrated approach, which he calls “Team Whidbey.”
NAS Whidbey Island last received the Installation Excellence Award in 1994.
Besides being the Navy home base for 14 squadrons of EA-6B Prowler electronic countermeasure jets, the base also is home to three squadrons of P-3C Orion patrol aircraft and two squadrons of EP-3E Aries II reconnaissance planes.
The base has more than 8,700 active duty personnel and about 1,200 civilian employees.
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