There is a change to aircraft carrier-based flight training operations scheduled to occur at the Outlying Landing Field (OLF) in Coupeville, Wash., the week of August 31-September 6, 2020. Aircraft carrier-based flight training operations have also been scheduled for Ault Field that week as part of that change.

People living in local communities should remain aware that the aforementioned operations are not the only operations out of NAS Whidbey Island, particularly at Ault Field, which is a 24-hour-a-day operational facility. There are many other training evolutions that people may hear. However, the aircraft carrier flight training operations are types of operations that involve lower altitude flight training in close vicinity to the airfield. Due to late sunsets this time of year, all night operations are pushed to later than normal times.

Both runways at Ault Field are now open. If OLF Coupeville is unavailable for any reason, Ault Field will become the backup airfield for OLF scheduled operations. The base will make every effort to let the community know if there are additions to published schedules.

Coupeville carrier operations

Day                                                                    Time Frame

Monday, August 31                                         Night to Late Night

Tuesday, September 1                                   Evening to Late Night

Wednesday, September 2                            Mid to Late Afternoon, Then Night to Late Night

Thursday, September 3                                 Early to Late Afternoon, Then Night to Late Night

Friday, September 4                                       Late Morning to Early Afternoon

Ault Field carrier operations

Day                                                                    Time Frame

Monday, August 31                                         Late Evening to Late Night

Wednesday, September 2                            Late Evening to Late Night

Friday, September 4                                       Early to Mid-Afternoon

The FCLP and other carrier-based training tempos are driven by operational training requirements, and may fluctuate due to weather and maintenance.

NAS Whidbey Island remains open continuously to support flight operations and training. Schedules for OLF Coupeville and Ault Field will continue to be released weekly for community planning purposes.  Comments, including noise complaints can be directed to NAS Whidbey Island's comment line at (360) 257-6665, or via e-mail: comments.NASWI@navy.mil.

Comments regarding flight operations should note the time an event occurred, where exactly the event occurred and as much detail as possible about what was seen. We also ask that people leave their contact information for our tracking purposes. All other questions can be directed to NAS Whidbey Island Public Affairs Office at (360) 257-2286.

The Navy's OLF at Coupeville is a critical national security asset that provides essential training for Navy pilots based at NAS Whidbey Island to conduct safe and effective aircraft carrier flight operations around the world.