CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND: Growler’ Training Set 5 Days This Week at OLF Coupeville

By Press release submission

Dec 3, 2020

City of Port Townsend issued the following announcement on Dec. 1.

Aircraft carrier-based flight training operations are scheduled at Outlying Field (OLF) Coupeville during the period of Nov. 30-Dec. 6, 2020, according to a press release from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

Aircraft from EA-18G “Growler” squadrons conduct lower altitude flight training in close vicinity to OLF Coupeville on Whidbey Island, sounds which may be heard in Port Townsend and parts of Jefferson County. The sound is greater over Port Townsend from the outbound flight path at OLF Coupeville.

Carrier-based flight operations slated this week for OLF COUPEVILLE:

--Monday, Nov. 30 – Late afternoon to late evening

--Tuesday Dec. 1 – Late afternoon to late evening

--Wednesday, Dec. 2 – Late afternoon to late evening

--Thursday, Dec. 3 – Late afternoon to late evening

--Friday, Dec. 4 – Mid-morning to early afternoon

Carrier-based flight operations scheduled at Ault Field at OAK HARBOR:

--None

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, according to a Navy press release.

WHAT ‘GROWLERS’ DO

In time of war, Growlers would likely be the first aircraft to fly over enemy territory, with the “Airborne Electronic Attack” (AEA) considered necessary to suppress enemy air defense systems, both by radar “jamming” and the firing of high-speed anti-radiation missiles at emitting ground radars. Without successful AEA missions, the success of other flight operations would be in doubt, according to the Navy.

Original source can be found here.