What The Locals Hid From Me About Whidbey Island

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Welcome aboard. Today we are recovering in NAS Whidbey Island via a section fan break. If you look closely, you will see me fly over the Western Cascades, the Skagit River Valley, and eventually over the beautiful city and surrounding farm land of Mount Vernon, WA.
I break overhead runway 25 at NAS Whidbey Island. Another beautiful day in the Pacific North West...aka "God's country". All in the day's work. Welcome to Oak Harbor. Hope you brought a jacket. Fly Navy!
If you like the video, please like, subscribe, and turn on notifications - I appreciate it! If we get enough support, we can keep this channel going.
Chapters:
0:00 Overflying the Cascade Mountains
2:29 Approaching the Skagit River Valley
3:45 RW 25 Initial NASWI
4:50 Section Fan Break
#flightdeckoperations #usnavy #f18 #superhornet #flynavy #avgeek #naswi #flightdeck #navy #growler #theodoreroosevelt #topgun #navalaviation #aviation #aviationworld #aviationlovers #fighterjet #trending #goshawk #cockpitview #navy_motivational_video #cockpitviews #dcs #dcsworld #voiceover #aircraftcarriers #aircraftlanding #f18hornet #f18superhornet #aerialrefueling #fighterjet #fighterpilot #fighter #fighterjetgame

[@MrAlbertsimon]

Your videos have risen to a new level with VOICEOVER. Thank you so much!

[@miked5562]

completely agree. Awesome content before - now it's just plain awesomer

[@scottajones3]

Agreed😊

[@PfizerRN_USNavyReserveRN]

@@miked5562 it feels like I'm a F/A-18 driver

[@justincase01]

Great stuff, thanks for the ride along. Sharpen up that bank angle; off a bit there.. Jus kidn. Peace!

[@njjeff201]

Thank you again Pail for having us as your’copilot’… it’s an honor to be with you. Bless our Vets, you guys ‘n girls really rock! 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@GrowlerJams]

Cheers!

[@allen480]

Thanks Growler Jam! Really appreciate it.

[@michellelandis2519]

I'm a native Whidbey Islander (five generations born and/or died here). We used to get great sonic booms over our house (Partridge Point) once a week until all the weenies wrote too many letters. My Gpa flew PBYs into the Seaplane Base and lived at Strawberry Point. This was wonderful to listen to and watch. Thank you.

[@GrowlerJams]

Cheers!

[@tucumcari206]

I have seen an old Californian women complaining about the jet’s noise.

[@mikecrim5292]

I live in Sequim and love hearing and watching this magic

[@jaratt85]

@@tucumcari206 I live with an old California woman that still regularly bitches about the SR71 pilot that knocked all the fragile knick-knacks off the windowsill when I was a baby.. they don't seem to let things go well.

[@susantamas5400]

Tell the old lady to turn her hearing aid down​. I'm 78 and love the rumbling@@tucumcari206

[@johncox4273]

I’m a retired corporate pilot who just recently discovered your channel. First, thank you for serving our country. When I was young I dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot, but unfortunately my eyes were not good enough. So I went the civilian route, and had a wonderful 43 year career flying corporate jets and helicopters. My best friend in collage became a Navy pilot, flying the A-4, F-4, and F-14. I got to visit him during his training at Kingsville, as well as at Miramar and Norfolk. Having talked with him and other Navy pilots, I have the upmost respect for carrier operations, and videos such as yours add to that respect. BTW, he just retired from a second career at Delta. Second, your videos are awesome, and like everyone commenting here, love your voice overs. Really puts us in the cockpit with you! Thank you for doing them, and please keep them coming.

[@GrowlerJams]

Welcome aboard and thanks for watching. Cheers!

[@PikeyScott]

I worked near NAS Whidbey for a while. Always got a chuckle when I walked up to my car and my key fob wouldn’t work. Gotta love that Whidbey jam.

[@Borzoi86]

Ya, but think of all the free extra electrons now pulsing through your body courtesy of the USN!

[@1038994]

@@Borzoi86its its not ionizing radation and the avarage person gets more ionization radation on a long flight then most people would expect.

[@allen480]

@@1038994 RF heating may occur if one was to walk very close to one; if it’s energized. Safety rules prevent that from happening.

[@The_Red_Off_Road]

Is the plane jamming the signals or is it the base? I’m ignorant 😂

[@1038994]

@@The_Red_Off_Road it's the equipment the plane use. I was never sure if they were ground checking or in the air.

[@manolog.9962]

These voiceover videos are great. Love to hear the insight on what's going on during the flight and brief description of the surroundings

[@paulmartos7730]

Yes. And yes. For us frustrated military pilots, yes!

[@steveparsons6324]

In the early 1970s, I lived on the north side of Dugualla Bay. The A-6 community kept me awake many a night as they did touch and go landings. Thanks for the aerial tour.

[@BostonBuzz]

"Humanely raised coffee"? Lololol!!!!!! Absolutely brilliant narration !!! Lol!!

[@barnettg66]

There used to be a Navy Flying Club at Whidbey with two (possibly three) T-34Bs. I'd drive all the way from Ft Lewis (just south of Tacoma) to fly them. It was a long drive there and back, but totally worth it. Cruising up the Straight of Juan de Fuca past Olympic National Park, bopping about in the San Juan Islands, or exploring the greater Puget Sound never failed to amaze me. I knew it well enough to know every nook and cranny. The airplane was great to fly...best flying piston engine light airplane ever made. Too bad all of the clubs are gone now, so far as I know. The Monterey Navy Flying Club was the crown jewel, but Whidbey was a close second.

[@Garfield91076]

From Seattle myself, you rattling off what's great about WA brought a tear to my eye 😁. As close as I get to aviation is flying original hornets in DCS, favorite line of modern military jets!

[@GrowlerJams]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@josephpittman7245]

You can never forget how beautiful Oak Harbor and Whidbey Island is. I would love to go back and see the base. Could have done whole tour there and been happy.

[@Wormhole798]

My dad was the 145th sailor stationed at Whidbey NAS during WWII. He was an Aerographers Mate 2/C. 😊

[@Sochlo50fo]

I grew up in Oak Harbor and Coupeville and often watched the planes practice over the fields SUPER close to the ground. I remember an exchange student freaked out because he thought we were under attack.

[@lori1270]

Cool memories! I used to take my older son out to watch the planes when he was little - loved watching planes come in for the break! My husband flew A-6 Intruders at Whidbey - which, as you know, you left off your list..... Now I listen to you guys fly overhead and occasionally get to see the break! Fun to see the break from inside the plane!

[@XBradTC]

Home sweet home. My dad was skipper of NAS Whidbey from '73 to '75. I lived in Oak Harbor for 12 years, and will always consider it home.

[@arctain1]

C’mon Pail! Give us Coupeville NOLF landings!!! I’ve been that civilian traffic overhead being given ‘ maintain, at or above’ by Whidbey controllers as you guys break. A lot. Always a welcome and enjoyable sight to see.

[@GrowlerJams]

I wish I had that footage.

[@dvandkq]

Live in Snohomish County and frequently camp at Deception Pass - partly because of the free airshows! Thanks for sharing your world with us!

[@pollylewis9611]

This is the best VO so far, beautiful day, great explanations fun to see my old stomping grounds! Thank you again Pail!

[@GrowlerJams]

You got it!

[@PeteVA-212]

Pail, my hometown, Mount Vernon, WA. Thanks for the air tour of Skagit Valley and Whidbey Island. A-4 Skyhawk driver in the '70s. My father flew PBYs out of NAS Widbey and in the Aleutian Campaign in WWII. Needs of the Navy, I was stuck in Lemoore...

[@GrowlerJams]

Thanks for watching, Pete. Cheers!

[@rogercurtiss3768]

I live in La Conner and the Whidbey aircraft are a daily presence. I have watched the Growlers making this approach to Whidbey many times and it is a pleasure to see it from the pilot's perspective.

[@themackguyverchannel7713]

My son just retired from USN. His last assignment was as a CPO in Whidbey. His rate was aviation mech. He was on the P3 squadron.

[@davidryder3374]

Ditto for my kiddo. She was at Whidbey many times and we visited her often. Now she's working for a defense contractor at Patuxent NAS near DC doing testing for another Navy plane. Hope your son is doing well with his retirement.

[@nosaltadded2530]

I remember you told us in another video that you're an instructor now. I have to say your students are very fortunate to have you teaching them. You make it look so easy and explain everything so well.

[@anniestroklund2442]

As a general aviation pilot of a Cessna 150 from Arlington, WA it was awesome to see your view. I've encountered a few of you guys coming up quick on me a few times. I have always wondered what it would be like to fly into NAS Whidby. Thanks so much for the ride. I'll remember to salute the next time I see ya off my wing...❤🛩

[@jd.3493]

Pretty awesome! Saw you flies over lake Cavanaugh, Conway, and then JUST south of my family’s farm in LaConner. Further farm directly south of the Rainbow Bridge. Love that sound of freedom! Fly Navy!

[@GrowlerJams]

Fly Navy!

[@andrewhontz3327]

Agree with another comment that the voiceover brings this to another level. Personally I’m loving the Fly Navy details, and learn something every time…this week it was fascinating to see how your break and approach mirrors that of trapping on the boat, just with velocity set to 0. Awesome stuff and thank you.

[@omaverick2870]

I can only watch air shows, fly simulators, collect and build Tamiya's plane models hahah but nothing can beat this channel ride alongs. Thank you for bringing us along.

[@Victor47930]

My family loves to camp @ Deception Pass State Park right next door to NAS Whidbey and I've always wondered what it was like to be on one of those goddamn noisy jets .... and apparently it's awesome. Thanks for the inside view. #PNWStrong

[@GrowlerJams]

Fly Navy.

[@malig0413]

Another great video Pail. As we say in Bawston…”smooth as buttah.”

[@_ducjk]

these voiceover vids are insanely underrated, you deserve a bigger audience

[@benmorgan51]

Love the voice overs. I’m all civilian aviation with 33000+ (yes that’s correct, Thirty Three Thousand hours plus. Retired airline pilot) I’ve flown with pilots from all branches of the military and never had the details of military flying explained in detail like you do. I did get to fly the F-18 simulator at naval air station Norfolk with my First officers help in getting in the door. He was an instructor there. I flew with him for 2 months. Great guy and a great pilot. Very well done. Keep up the good work.

[@mdarian]

I miss flying. Love watching your videos. Thank you for that feeling.

[@evry1sfriend619]

I fly my little 172 from Paine Field and see you guys zooming around all the time. Its so cool to see you fly around my home airspace! Thanks for the quality vids.

[@Trojan0304]

Thanks for taking us along, great vlog. Go Navy🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@bigranchjr.3612]

Not sure if its just me, but your voiceovers are very relaxing.

[@floydburgherjr.6505]

Thanks! Great video! I was Zapper Doc ‘78-’81 VAQ-130 (EA-6B), did a MED on the INDEPENDENCE, and lived in Coupeville… Truly God’s Country & I loved the “Sound of Our Freedom”…

[@g3pdhbelonis447]

I was a zapper tweet during the same time. I made the two Forrestal cruises, 78 and 81, and the Indy cruise.

[@floydburgherjr.6505]

@@g3pdhbelonis447 I missed Forrestal but caught Indy. Almost got two but my replacement met the Squadron in Norfolk and I got some time at NAVHOSP WHIDBEY, great time!!

[@BillPatten-zh6lx]

NAS Whidby also has one of the most beautiful MWR campgrounds there is.

[@halfassnit6997]

As someone who grew up on Whidbey, this is pretty damn amazing. My old man got stationed there in '89 and never left. I have some very fond memories watching the Intruders and Prowlers over oak harbor and doing touch and goes at OLF. You need to petition to bring the Air Show back to that base! Keep up the great vids, not all the locals hate the noise :) Cheers!

[@jaredragland4707]

I am one of those old men, PCSed to the Island in'98 when Growlers were called Prowlers. Still miss those leaky old pigs some days.

[@johnshields6852]

Your video voice overs are the best, unique insight we don't get to see normally, I'm these days of USA military movement around the world it's good to know we have pilots like you who'll be ready to defend our great country. Thank you.🇺🇸🙏

[@JeepWrangler1957]

I loved the Catalina flying boat there. The area is beautiful

[@Derskimeister]

Nice approach and landing. Really appreaciate your videos. It's because of guys like yourself that I sleep well at night. Thanks.

[@krabman22]

All the videos are killer, love the voice over. Keep up the good work 👍

[@seventhsealhere]

Best videos with the voiceovers! Totally makes the channel unique, inspiring, informative and exciting! Keep it going! 👍

[@darrenbradbury7686]

Flew in from the UK to visit a friend who lived in Oak Habor, around 25 years ago. Took a drive out and watched the Prowlers shooting circuits at NAS Whidbey Island one afternoon 😊 A good day.... 😁Great videos..

[@MrPossumeyes]

I watch you multiple times, Growler Jams. Thanks for posting jet pilot naval stuff.

[@archer3695]

Love the voice overs and the no-fluff feel of these videos.

[@karinnovak5145]

Another great voiceover that shows another talent of Pail: not only is he a great aviator, but could also work as a tourist guide😁. Thanks for taking us with you and explaining all the details for a smooth approach and landing while showing us the great scenery👍. Must be quite the contrast to where you live + fly now😉.

[@GrowlerJams]

Sure is.

[@psclassy1123]

I live close by Whidbey in Canada and hear people complaining about the jet practices in the US but I would be thrilled to spend a weekend hearing and seeing the planes.

[@rss021815]

Very cool could see your wing man in the mirror right before the break

[@stevebrennan3921]

I was stationed at Whidbey NAS in the late 70's and early 80's and it's still as beautiful as ever. I worked on the A-6 Intruders there but the Growlers are certainly better looking/more capable than the old Skypigs. Love the vids and the VO rocks it!

[@rogerdirkx.1679]

This is so interesting and fun to watch. You’ve worked really hard to be able to do this. Your so lucky. I’m really enjoying your videos. It gives us the opportunity to experience what you do. Fabulous. Thank you.

[@napagirl48]

Pail thank you for your videos and bringing us along for the rides! Was only on Whidbey Island back in the late 70s, visiting some of my Ole' Navy friends, really enjoy your narrative voiceovers!☺👍

[@rmal8076]

God’s county…yes it is! Love the video and your voiceover instruction. Love your explanations of what is going on in the cockpit and the deck. I’m enjoying learning about naval aviation. I flew as a flight engineer on C-141Bs at KTCM. Thank Pail and fly safe!

[@GrowlerJams]

Cheers!

[@richjone9951]

Love your voiceovers! Living vicariously through you sir. Working on these birds in St Louis for 4 decades & wished i could get a ride b4 retirement. I would have more luck winning the powerball than getting a ride though! Lol

[@karenbradley2657]

Amazing thanks for. Sharing nice landing God bless you stay safe

[@avoidingtrees6692]

Thanks for your service sir. As a Frenchman, I rely too , On you for my safety and my freedom. Cheers from France america.

[@Rod3E900]

Agree about Washington State...Was stationed at McChord AFB !!!

[@tonycoghill6129]

Ever been to South Carolina Pail ? You can't buy this slice of aviation heaven anywhere else .... love your vids that none other can touch... thanks man ! Meat in the meatball !

[@GrowlerJams]

No, I’ve never spent any significant time in SC. Hopefully someday.

[@ellenritchie3342]

Enjoy learning from your videos! My son is a pilot stationed at Whidbey Island😊

[@picklesnoutpenobscott3165]

Howdy from Sequim! I always wave, though I know you jammers probably cant see. Much love! Thanks for keeping us safe.

[@ronaldstarreveld]

Spent 17 years on Whidbey. Love watching your videos. Always Intruders and Prowlers. Keep them coming. AE1 (AW) Starreveld Ret.

[@GrowlerJams]

TYFYS

[@georgehaeh4856]

With one sister in Anacortes and another in Shelton, I've driven by Ault a bunch of times. Didn't know it has 25-07. What a lovely place to fly, but not enough lift for gliders with the ocean next door, to say nothing about fast traffic. Thanks for the aerial tour.

[@charlesbever4179]

Pail, enjoy the view and the crew talk. Keep it coming. Trained air force and marine air A 4 during 71 -73. Semper fi

[@GrowlerJams]

Semper Fi.

[@dalegribble1945]

Been to NAS Whidbey Island as a civilian one time around 2004 was a beautiful drive up from Everett!!!

[@agapeeternal]

Smooth like butter floored me 😂

[@GrowlerJams]

😎

[@-108-]

NAS WI was also home to the A6 Intruder, as well. (VA-52 "Knight Riders") Thanks for the vid. My late best friend grew up in Oak Harbor, and I spent some time there with him. His grandpa was a Naval aviator, was stationed at NAS WI, & lived less than a mile from the base. He had a ton of related stories to tell, of course. What's crazy is it takes like 30-45 min. to drive from Mt. Vernon to NAS WI, whilst you made the trip in just under 5 min. flat! lol

[@tonyarcher8530]

Love watching this video time and again.😀

[@Elliott-Salmon]

We live near Lake Chelan and I hear your coworkers from time to time. 😅. God bless.

[@GrowlerJams]

That's awesome!

[@Gamet36]

I'm often riding Walker Valley when you guys fly over. It's nice to see it from your perspective.

[@x3racer86]

Thank you Pail for your special brand of entertainment, Really quite extraordinary ! Just hit 840 comments:)

[@GrowlerJams]

💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[@The_Red_Off_Road]

Thanks for the history lesson! Stay safe up there and keep jammin’!

[@AWFKproductions]

really enjoying these vids, envious, but enjoying them.

[@rl3454]

That’s okay sir. Great video, brought back good times. ! 👍🏻. Thanks.

[@danward48]

NAS Whidbey Island was one of my favorite duty stations and second only to NAS Brunswick.

[@evenflow925]

So frickin RAD!! Thanks from Aussie Pail! Go the mighty Growler!!!

[@lindickison3055]

I was born Oak Harbor, just before my dad sent overseas WWII. Many years later (I was a teacher) one of my students had also been born on Whidbey (ca 1985)!!! Never knew anybody else who'd ever been there!!!!

[@jimj9265]

NP regarding overlooking A-6. Your videos are excellent learning tool as you explain what is going on, why and expected results. Great for wannabe Navy flyers to get better understanding of how life is done in the aviation community. Also allows dinosaurs like me to appreciate new technologies like velocity vector and PLM. Back in the 70’s everything was manual and lot of concentration around the boat. We were told that they wired some crews to monitor blood pressure/heart rate/pulse and compared to readings over target while being shot at the readings coming back aboard were higher, especially on night traps. Fun times. Keep up the good work. Fly Navy.

[@GrowlerJams]

Fly Navy!

[@montana4939]

I was attached to VA-128 / plane captain back in the day , I so loved this island it was great duty .

[@spiff1003]

Naval aviator landing! :) Not an Air Force landing with a flare. Love these calm videos still!

[@umaikakudo]

"Vitamin D supplements." Spoken like a true local.😂

[@yhird]

You guys have the Right Stuff. Thank you for your service. Safe travels. Cheers.

[@ef2111]

Absolutely amazing. It's like I'm right there with you.

[@xrisc131]

I love the history you shared. It shows respect and intellectual curiosity. Oh, and it is interesting too!

[@IronHammer59]

God’s Country Indeed. Born and raised on the Olympic Peninsula and spent many summers working Ft Casey State Park while doing college. Love your voice overs. Missed a pair of your wingmen scooting through Snoqualmie Pass today. Friends said it was a sight to behold. You all stay safe out there and up there!

[@skyepilotte11]

Well done Pail ! Precision at its finest.

[@glenhaendel3918]

Hey Navy, nice video. Thanks for the signature move in keeping it smooth!

[@Jmav91]

Just found your channel and hell yeah ! Found it through OAFnation.

[@GrowlerJams]

Welcome Aboard!

[@erichart9465]

NASWI myself. You nailed the description of the area and it's everything that kept me here.

[@BeechSportBill]

Spent many hours watching the A-6s doing circuits in the ‘80s

[@williammcguire5685]

I would just like to say that watching this gives me so much confidence in our air power, in the men and some women who are flying it's so encouraging. The way the armchair quarterbacks at the White House the house in the Senate operate and supposedly do the best they can for you but don't. It's amazing you can keep your skills so high. Thank you for your service I mean that.

[@trucker287]

Fascinating, if I ever get back to Corpus I'd like to meet you near Kingsville and buy you a beer.

[@gackerman99]

yeah if you do more stuff like this your channel is going to absolutely explode

[@katherinewilliams2674]

Love Mt Baker, covered in snow off on the eastern horizon as you make your final turn. You were a bit busy, so probably didn’t notice….😉

[@richdefrancesco2322]

I have not flown in years, and these videos make me want to fly again. I really miss it.

[@dmanton300]

Voiceover was the final piece in the puzzle. Brilliant viewing.

[@brianburnssailorslife5383]

Grew up in the area! Love Widbey Island and especially deception pass! Nice riding along with ya!

[@cengizbaykara9182]

Hello Growler Jams . I am pretty much glued to your videos . Thank you very much for making them.

[@GrowlerJams]

My pleasure!

[@michaelchimenti4989]

Drinking my 'humanely raised coffee' and watching a Growler Jam with voiceover. What a great start to the morning.

[@toddsherry4433]

My uncle was in charge of the recycling facility on NASWI for many years. Visited a long time ago.

[@prichardgs]

WA State my home-live outside the back gate of Ft. Lewis!!!!! When I was a Navel Cadet I flew in an A-6 simulator at Whidbey-Then I joined the Army-lol

[@seaskimmer9071]

The best aviation video series on YT! Thanks. Pail. FLY SAFE. FLY NAVY.