
NAS WHIDBEY ISLAND
NAVY
Oak Harbor, WA
United States
NAS WHIDBEY ISLAND
NAVY
Oak Harbor, WA
United States
NAS Whidbey Island
Base Essentials
Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island is located in Island County, Washington. The base has been in use since 1942 when it was first built as a refueling station for patrols over the Puget Sound. Today, almost 10,000 people live and work on base, including military personnel and civilian contractors. The base is over 168 square miles and contains the 3rd-largest fleet concentration in the U.S. Located in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, NAS Whidbey Island is a posting that sailors with PCS orders are going to love. There’s so much to do and see here, and the surrounding area is a treasure trov...

Base Details
Type
Naval Station
Branch
NAVY
Command
CNIC
Status
Active
Est.
1942
Acres
7,600
Active Duty
7,000
Civilian
2,500
Population
85,000
Economic Impact
$1.2 billion
NAS Whidbey Island History
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, Washington, was established in 1942 and is the Navy's premier electronic attack base. It is home to all EA-18G Growler squadrons, which provide airborne electronic warfare capability to carrier strike groups and joint forces. The station also supports P-3 and P-8 maritime patrol operations. Whidbey Island's role in the electronic warfare mission makes it uniquely important as electromagnetic spectrum operations grow in strategic significance.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (EA-18G Growler)
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—
Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10
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Historic Timeline
Timeline events coming soon
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for NAS Whidbey Island.
NAS Whidbey Island Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for NAS Whidbey Island.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from NAS Whidbey Island.
PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to NAS Whidbey Island.
Welcome Center
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In-Processing
All personnel arriving at NAS Whidbey Island should report first to the Officer of the Deck (OOD) at the quarterdeck, located in Building 385 on Ault Field. The quarterdeck operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If checking in to a tenant command or squadron, proceed to your command’s duty office after the initial quarterdeck check-in. For after-hours lodging, contact Navy Gateway Inns and Suites (NGIS) at (360) 257-2529.
The Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) is located in Building 2641, Ault Field. PSD handles pay, records, and official personnel transactions. Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, and Fri 0700–1600; Thu 0900–1600. Phone: (360) 257-1102. Plan for in-processing to take multiple working days.
A base-wide indoctrination briefing is held during the first week of each month (Tuesday and Wednesday) and is open to family members. Contact (360) 257-2181 for the schedule. The Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC), known as the Nor’Wester, is in Building 2556 alongside the Housing Service Center. FFSC scheduling: (866) 854-0638. Housing Service Center: (360) 257-3331.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for NAS Whidbey Island.
Local Market
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Cost of Living Around NAS Whidbey Island
105
5% Above National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near NAS Whidbey Island.
School Liaison Officer
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Elementary Schools
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Middle Schools
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High Schools
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Colleges & Universities
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Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Popular Neighborhood
Suburban
Families
Short Commute
Neighborhood details coming soon
Nearby Community
Urban
Singles
Nightlife
Neighborhood details coming soon
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at NAS Whidbey Island.
State Income Tax
Military Pay
Retirement Pay
Vehicle Tax
Vehicle Registration
Coming soon
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Property Tax
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Spouse Income Tax
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Combat Zone
Coming soon
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Pet Policies at NAS Whidbey Island
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at NAS Whidbey Island.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
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Prohibited Animals
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Dog Parks
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Boarding & Kennels
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Pet Guidance
Coming soon
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Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at NAS Whidbey Island.
Commissary
1
Whidbey Island NAS Commissary
Exchange
NEX
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sat–Sun 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Medical
1
Naval Health Clinic Oak Harbor — Clinic
Childcare & Youth
Coming soon
MWR & Recreation
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about NAS Whidbey Island.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Langley Gate (Main Gate / Langley Boulevard Gate) is the main visitor access gate and is open 24 hours a day. Other gates are restricted to military and DoD ID holders — see the Gates section for full schedules.
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02
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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03
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for NAS Whidbey Island.
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04
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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05
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near NAS Whidbey Island.
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Question
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.






