As the sole naval aviation support in the Pacific Northwest, we provide the highest quality facilities, services and products to the naval aviation community and all organizations utilizing Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Our vision is to step boldly into the future as the premier Naval Air Station, a vital element of the Navy, Department of Defense, and multinational infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest.
We strive to be leaders in:
- Personal Excellence, Integrity and Dedication
- Maintenance, Logistic and Training Support
- Innovation and Technology
- Mission Support for Regular, Reserve and Joint Operations
- Environmental Stewardship
- Quality of Life for our People and Community
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, CNIC
For a complete list of commands supported by NASWI, please refer to the "Major Units" section.
The first entry in the official log of NASWI was on September 21, 1942. Originally, the Air Station was commissioned as a base for seaplane patrol operations, rocket firing training, torpedo overhaul, and both recruit and petty officer training. Today, NASWI is home to the majority of the Navy's EA-18G Growler squadrons as well as the P-8 Poseidon. For a complete list of commands, visit the Major Units section of the main page. Over 25 tenant commands are located at NASWI, providing training, medical and dental, and other support services. For more information, please see our CNIC Naval Air Station Whidbey Island homepage.
NASWI supports approximately 9,000 military personnel to include over 500 reservist, 19,194 family members, and 2,100 civilian employees. We also support Canadian Forces and their families.
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) is located in Oak Harbor, WA, on beautiful Whidbey Island, part of Island County, which is in the northwest corner of Washington State, 90 miles north of Seattle. Within close proximity to the San Juan Islands, the Cascade and Olympic mountains, Whidbey Island is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Fishing, hunting, hiking, sailing, canoeing, camping, and bike riding are all prevalent in this spectacular rural area with its rocky beaches and rolling hills.
NASWI is comprised of two bases five miles apart: the Seaplane Base and the Naval Air Station (also known as Ault Field). Located on the western shore of the island, Ault Field contains most of the military activities, including the squadrons, main headquarters, galley, health clinic, Unaccompanied Housing, Navy Gateway Inns and Suites, the Housing Services Center, Personal Property Office, and the Fleet and Family Support Center. The Seaplane Base is on the eastern shore at the edge of Oak Harbor. It houses the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society Office and Thrift Store, the Commissary, the main Navy Exchange, Veterinary Treatment Facility, some Child and Youth Programs, and the Navy Lodge. The base operator's phone number is 360-257-2211. Visit the NASWI Facebook Page
Driving directions from Sea-Tac Airport:
- Exit Sea-Tac; follow signs to I-5 North (Take I-5 N approximately 75.6 miles).
- Take Exit #230 to WA-20 West
- Follow instructions for “From Interstate 5” below.
Driving directions from Bellingham International Airport (BLI):
- Exit BLI to I-5 South.
- Follow I-5 S for 27.6 miles to exit #230 to WA-20 West and follow instructions for "From Interstate 5" below.
From Interstate 5 – Take Exit 230 (Anacortes/Burlington).
- At the light, turn onto WA-20 (West) towards Anacortes. Continue down this road until you see the signs directing you to turn left through the roundabout for Oak Harbor and Whidbey Island.
- Proceed through roundabout and continue on WA-20 up the hill and across the Deception Pass Bridge. This is a long, winding, and often dark 2 lane road so drive carefully. Make sure your passenger has a camera ready as you drive across the Deception Pass Bridge.
- Proceed to the light adjoining Ault Field Road just outside the City of Oak Harbor. To go to the main base (Ault Field) turn right. There is a welcome static display of an A6 and an EA6B aircraft at this intersection.
- To enter Ault Field's Charles Porter Gate, proceed to the first stoplight, turn right onto Charles Porter Avenue and proceed through the gate. Gate is open 24 hours.
- If driving a rental moving truck, pulling a trailer or camper you can only use Charles Porter Gate.
- To go to the Pass and ID office or the Langley gate, proceed to the third stop light, turn right onto Langley Boulevard, and turn right into the parking lot just before Langley Gate.
- To go to the Seaplane base (where the Navy Lodge is located) stay on WA-20.
To Seaplane Base (from WA-20)
- Continue about 1 mile past Ault Field Road, turn left onto NE Regatta Drive (use middle lane) front of Mariner Self Storage and Penske Truck Rental.
- When road forks, take left onto N Torpedo Road; continue straight and crossover W Crescent Harbor Road and proceed to the Torpedo Gate.
From Clinton/Mukilteo Ferry (located just outside of Everett off of Interstate 5, exit 182)
- From the Clinton ferry landing, follow WA-525 North, which turns into WA-20, for about 39 miles to Oak Harbor.
- To go to the main base (Ault Field) through the Charles Porter Gate (main gate) - Turn left onto Goldie Road. Follow Goldie Road until crossing over Ault Field Road. This will lead you directly to the gate.
- To go to the Pass and ID Office on Langley Boulevard, turn left on W Ault Field Road, drive for 1 mile and turn right onto Langley Boulevard. Turn right into the parking lot just before Langley Gate.
- To go to the Seaplane Base via Maui Gate (where the Navy Lodge is located) stay on WA-20 as you come into town. WA-20 turns left at the third stoplight but DO NOT turn left. Continue straight and the road will turn into SE Pioneer Way. This leads straight into the Seaplane Base's Maui Gate.
- To go to the Seaplane Base via Torpedo Gate (main gate for Seaplane Base) stay on WA-20 as you come into town. WA-20 turns left at the third stoplight but DO NOT turn left. Continue straight and the road will turn into SE Pioneer Way. Follow for 1 mile and then turn left onto SE Regatta Drive. Stay on for 1.3 miles and turn right onto W Crescent Harbor Road. The Torpedo Gate is the next immediate right.
From the Olympic Peninsula via the Port Townsend/Coupeville Ferry
- From the Coupeville ferry landing, turn left on Engle Road.
- Stay left on Engle Road (about 4 miles) until you come to WA-20 in Coupeville.
- Take a left at the light and continue north to Oak Harbor staying on WA-20 for 11 miles.
- To go to the main base (Ault Field) through Charles Porter gate (main gate)- turn left onto Goldie Road, Follow Goldie Road until crossing over Ault field Road. This will lead you directly to the gate.
- To go to the Pass and ID Office on Langley Boulevard, turn left on W Ault Field Road, drive 1 mile and turn right onto Langley Boulevard. Turn right into the parking lot just before Langley Gate.
- To go to the Seaplane Base via Maui gate (where the Navy Lodge is located) stay on WA-20 as you come into town. WA-20 turns left at the third stoplight but DO NOT turn left continue straight on this road; it will turn into SE Pioneer Way. This leads straight into the Seaplane Base's Maui Gate.
- To go to the Seaplane Base via Torpedo gate (main gate for Seaplane Base) stay on WA-20 as you come into town. WA-20 turns left at the third stoplight but DO NOT turn left. Continue straight and the road will turn into SE Pioneer Way. Follow for 1 mile and then turn left onto SE Regatta Drive. Stay on for 1.3 miles and turn right onto W Crescent Harbor Road. The Torpedo Gate is the next immediate right.
Ferry sailings can be canceled at any time due to inclement weather, low tides or mechanical issues. In addition, wait times can be long on holidays and on the weekends, we recommend you visit the WSDOT Ferry website to verify the schedule and check wait times before traveling. It is strongly recommended you make reservations in advance to guarantee a spot on the ferry (80% of the ferry capacity is by reservation only, which leaves 20% for non-reservation vehicles). Reservations can be made via the Washington State DOT website or by calling 511 or 206-464-6400 or 1-888-808-7977 (in-state only).
For late night arrivals to Ault Field, you will need to utilize the Charles Porter Gate, which is the only gate open 24/7.
For late night arrivals to the Seaplane Base, you will need to utilize the Torpedo Gate, which is the only gate open 24/7.
Navy Lodge Directions, 760 Coral Sea Drive
The Navy Lodge is located on the Seaplane Base, which has two gate options, Torpedo and Maui (directions to these gates are listed above). If you are coming from the Torpedo Gate, proceed forward along the coastline until you come to a four-way stop, go left, drive past the Navy Exchange and Commissary complex until you come to a fork in the road, turn left and travel up the hill, the Navy Lodge will be on your right.
If you are coming from the Maui Gate, proceed forward until you come to a four-way stop, turn right, drive past the Navy Exchange and Commissary complex until you come to a fork in the road, turn left and travel up the hill, the Navy Lodge will be on your right.
Main Quarterdeck Directions, Building 385, 3730 N Charles Porter
Ault Field Base has four access gates: Charles Porter, Langley, Saratoga, and Hammer (formerly Nortz). Langley, and Hammer gates have limited hours; therefore, we recommend all newcomers use Charles Porter. Saratogo is no longer operational. If you are arriving via Langley Gate - proceed forward through the gate on Langley Boulevard. You will come to a four-way stop, continue straight. This road will curve to the right; get in the left-hand lane after the curve and turn left onto Charles Porter Avenue. The entrance to building 385 is on the right directly across the street from Wendy's; however, there are two roads - the first one leads to the air terminal and the second one to building 385.
If you are arriving via the Charles Porter Gate - proceed forward through the gate on Charles Porter Avenue. You will pass several hangars, the base theater and the galley. The entrance to building 385 is on the right directly across the street from Wendy's; however, there are two roads - the first one leads to the air terminal and the second one to building 385.
Nor'Wester Directions, Building 2556, 3675 W Lexington Street (corner Lexington and Saratoga Streets)
The Nor'Wester houses many programs and services: Housing Services Center, Personal Property Office, Fleet and Family Support Center, Veteran's Benefits Advisors Office, and Retired Activities Office (Monday & Wednesday (9am - Noon). From the Charles Porter Gate - proceed forward through the gate on Charles Porter Avenue. You will pass several hangars, the base theater and the galley. You will turn left onto Lexington Street. This road is "s" shaped. You will come to a four-way stop, proceed forward and building 2556 is on the right, which is the end of this road.
From the Langley Gate - proceed forward through the gate on Langley Boulevard; you will come to a four-way stop, turn left onto Midway Street. You will come to a stop sign and the end of this road, turn right onto Saratoga Street. You will come to a four-way stop, turn left and building 2556 is on the right, which is the end of this road.
Navy Gateway Inns & Suites, Building 973, 1175 Midway Street
If you have reservations at Navy Gateway Inns and Suites, you will need to check in at Building 973, McCormick Lodge, which is Navy Gateway Inns and Suites' primary building. From the Charles Porter Gate - proceed forward through the gate on Charles Porter Avenue. You will pass several hangars, turn left on Midway Street just after the base theater, and proceed straight through the four-way stop. The O' Club will be on the left just before the "T" in the road, which is Saratoga Street. Turn left into the O' Club parking lot; McCormick Lodge will be on the left just behind the O' Club.
From the Langley Gate - proceed forward through the gate on Langley Boulevard; you will come to a four-way stop, turn left onto Midway Street. The O' Club will be on the left just before the "T" in the road, which is Saratoga Street; turn left into the O' Club parking lot, McCormick Lodge will be on the left just behind the O' Club.
Airports
Oak Harbor has access to three nearby airports: Sea-Tac Airport in Seattle. WA, 2 hours south from Whidbey Island; Paine Field Airport in Everett, WA. 1 hour and 30 minutes south of Whidbey Island, and Bellingham International Airport in Bellingham, WA, 1 hour north of Whidbey Island, WA. New arrivals will need to arrange additional transportation to the island via Whidbey SeaTac shuttle.
Shuttle Bus Service Arrivals
Currently, Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle is the only shuttle bus service available to the island and NAS Whidbey Island Ault Field. The shuttle provides service to and from Sea-Tac and Paine Field airports. There are no suttle services from Bellingham Airport. The Sea-Tac Airport pickup service is in the lower level of the airport, at door 2, same level as baggage claim. Reservations are highly recommended to guarantee a seat. To make reservations call 360-679-4003 or log onto their SeaTac Shuttle website at htpps://www.seatacshuttle.com
USO Services
The USO Lounge with full-services is available at the Sea-Tac Airport on the Mezzanine Level. For hours and additional information , please visit the USO's main website and select "Find your local USO" or call 206-246-1908.
There is a NASWI Commuter bus that is operated by Island Transit. For full details of pick up and drop off locations and current schedules visit the Island Transit website. There is s no military transportation provided at this time between the Ault Field and Seaplane Bases.
For transportation between bases, Island Transit has bus stops located outside Ault Field at the Langley and Charles Porter gates and a bus stop located at Skagit Valley College located outside the Seaplane Base Maui Gate on East Pioneer Way.
The Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle from SeaTac Airport drops off at Building 2701 and the Gateway Inn and Suites on Ault Field.
Ault Field Taxi, 360-682-6920 is the only taxi services authorized to pickup and drop-off on base.
