Whidbey Crosswind, November 28, 2014

Whidbey Crosswind The Puget Sound Veterans’ Monthly | DECEMBER 2014

Oh, brother

Brent and Blake Tornga keep colleagues on their toes. z pg. 2

SERVING WHIDBEY ISLAND’S VETERANS, RETIRED AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY AND FAMILIES

NOW, WHICH ONE ARE YOU?

Keeping Tornga brothers straight is a tricky maneuver at NAS Whidbey

By RON NEWBERRY

I

t’s happened so many times to Blake Tornga that he rarely raises an eyebrow anymore.

Photo courtesy Blake Tornga

As kids growing up in Montana, brothers Blake, left, and Brent Tornga were virtually inseparable. Now, they’re all grown up and are commanders at the same navy base — Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. Blake is executive officer at VAQ-133, Brent commanding officer at VAQ-136.

HARD TO WRAP.

EASY TO GIVE.

Brent Tornga handles it the same way, though he’s been known to get a little creative on occasion.

The Tornga brothers are officers with two different Electronic Attack Squadrons

on Whidbey Island Naval Air Station — and some people have trouble keeping them straight.

Brent “Red” Tornga is the commanding officer at VAQ136, while his older brother of two years with the call name “Stones” is the executive officer with VAQ-133.

Having two B. Torngas in the Navy’s global address system, not to mention at the same base, creates constant confusion in communications, with emails often reaching the wrong brother.

The confusion dates back to their days in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps.

“I was in the senior corps and our XO ... would say, ‘I got your brother’s paper on leadership but I didn’t see yours?” Brent said. “I was like, ‘Sir, I am in your class. That’s Blake. I’m Brent.’ ” Blake remembers a time more recently at NAS Whidbey when he went to admire his name freshly painted on the side of a jet, only to see his brother’s call sign next to it.

However, Brent recalled a story that trumps them all.

“I accepted an award from the commodore that he achieved one time,” he said.

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Photo courtesy of Blake Tornga

At a change of command ceremony earlier this year for Brent Tornga, left, he is joined by his brothers, from left to right, Blake, Brian and Brock. Brian is a police officer in Greenwich, Conn., and Brock is a barber and youth ministry director in North Richland Hills, Texas. Blake said one of his career highlights was being able to give Brian his oath into the police department.

BROTHERS CONTINUED FROM A1

He remembers that happening around 2000 at the “Prowler Ball” at NAS Whidbey during a time when Blake was deployed overseas.

“I had flown with the commodore and the deputy like a couple weeks prior,” Brent continued the story, “and they called, ‘Blake Tornga, get up here!’ I’m like, ‘No. All right. I’ll just roll with it. Just shake hands and it’ll be fine.’ All night long, people kept shaking my hand. I was like, ‘No, it’s not me. It’s my brother.’”

The two brothers have always been close, the eldest and second eldest of four boys in the family whose first names all start with the initial B. They grew up mostly in the open spaces of Montana and North Dakota with stops in Colorado and Nebraska, following the career of their father who worked in the railroad industry.

“The railroad moves around just as much as the military does, maybe even more,” Brent said. “Gosh, we moved around probably a dozen times as kids.”

Both Brent and Blake wound up at the University of Nebraska and earned NROTC scholarships that led

seems to be.”

to their commissioned naval careers.

They also have busy home schedules with a combined five children.

But their paths were a little different.

Blake started out enlisting in the Navy in 1990 and served as an aviation electronics technician before earning his NROTC scholarship while on active duty.

“Usually during the holidays, our schedules will marry up pretty well,” Brent said.

Still, the brothers rejoice in each other’s company when they can and are bonded not only by blood but an understanding of what each is going through.

Brent went straight into college and graduated before receiving his commission as an ensign through the NROTC program.

Both were hounded by the same Navy recruiters in Lincoln, but the words of one in particular they referred to as “Master Chief Putz” resonated most.

“I’d seen recruiters before give the spiel about the 30 days paid vacation and I was not interested,” Blake said.

“But he just kind of laid it out to me and said, ‘Sometimes the Navy absolutely sucks. You will work a 20-hour shift, get a couple hours sleep and turn around and do another 20-hour shift, and you will work your ass off.’

“Then, he says, ‘Just when you think you don’t have anything left, you’ll see the flag flying as you’re going through the Strait of Gibraltar and you’ll get a little tingle in your spine. And then you just kind of go back to work again and another 20-hour shift and, no big deal, you

Photo by Ron Newberry/Whidbey News-Times

It’s not uncommon for Brent, left, and Blake Tornga to get the other’s emails. just go get it done.’”

More than 20 years into his career, Blake said he still gets that tingle in his spine. He’s traveled the world in uniform, was stationed in Japan and Germany, and twice was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Brent’s service also has included deployments in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Throughout their careers, Whidbey Island has been a familiar landing spot for both commanders with multiple stops and extended visits along the way.

Blake said his family considers

Anacortes home, while home for Brent’s family is Oak Harbor. He met his wife there.

Oddly enough, the brothers’ close proximity to each other doesn’t lend to much overlap because they’re both constantly on the go.

Brent said they probably have lunch together once a month despite being based in hangars not far apart at the same base when they could be in spots all over the world.

“You’d think we’d have the opportunity to have it more often,” Brent said. “But our squadron could be on the road somewhere, on the ship, down to Fallon (Nev.), then we’re back and they’ve gone up to Red FlagAlaska, and that’s kind of how it

They shared a room together as kids and used to stay up late and talk late into the night while others slept.

Never could they have imagined back then the similar paths that would cross and the quirkiness that would follow.

“We’re both fleet and we’re both attached to carrier air wings right now.

Our bosses are in Lemoore (Calif.),” Brent said. “It’s actually a small fleet.

I was in CAG (Commander Air Group) 9 for a while. I’m in CAG 2 now. His squadron is in CAG 9 now, so I worked for his bosses for a while.

“Which confuses the crap out of them still,” Blake interjected.

Brent pretended to be in their situation.

“Which Commander Tornga am I dealing with here?’” he said.

VOL. 3, NO. 20 WHIDBEY CROSSWIND STAFF Executive Editor & Publisher............................KEVEN R. GRAVES Associate Publisher.................................... KIMBERLLY WINJUM Editor.............................................................JESSIE STENSLAND Staff Reporter.............................................................JANIS REID Production Manager...............................................CONNIE ROSS

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IDENTIFICATION STATEMENT AND SUBSCRIPTION RATES P.O. Box1200 | 107 S. Main St., Ste. E101, Coupeville, Wa. 98239 360-675-6611 | fax 360-679-2695 | www.whidbeycrosswind.com The Whidbey Crosswind is published monthly by Sound Publishing on the last Friday of every month. Mailed subscription available for $20 per year. Payment in advance is required. Periodicals rate postage paid at Coupeville, WA and at additional mailing offices.

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READER INFORMATION: ADMINISTRATIVE: The Whidbey Crosswind is a monthly publication of Sound Publishing, and is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, the National Newspaper Association and Suburban Newspapers of America. Advertising rates are available at the Crosswind office. While the Crosswind endeavors to accept only reliable advertisements, it shall not be responsible to the public for advertisements nor are the views expressed in those advertisements necessarily those of the Whidbey Crosswind. The right to decline or discontinue any ad without explanation is reserved. DEADLINES: Classifieds and Display Ads – 4 p.m. Monday prior to publication; Community News and Letters to Editor – Noon Monday prior to publication.

On Base

Whidbey sees myriad aircraft

By JESSIE STENSLAND

Whidbey Island Naval Air Station supports six different aircraft, but each year many others stop by for a visit.

Kyle Hempel, the leading chief petty officer for air traffic control, said the base commonly has “transient aircraft” landing there, much of which are transport planes, moving troops to and from deployments.

Contributed photo

Master Sgt. Ken Owens with the Center for Naval Technical Training Unit on Whidbey Island cuts a cake in honor of the Corps’ 239th birthday on Nov. 10.

In addition, he said, there’s “myriad of other types of aircraft,” from Leer jets to fighter jets, that stop by to refuel or for other reasons.

Undoubtedly the most exotic of the transient aircraft were the F-22 Raptors that landed at the base this summer, according to the base public affairs office.

The U.S. Air Force’s impressive stealth aircraft are considered to be the ultimate air superiority fighters in history and also the most costly, with a unit cost of $412 million each, according to a June 16, 2013, Los Angeles Times story.

More recently, V-22 Osprey were seen on North Whidbey.

The unique “tiltrotor” aircraft takes off and lands like a helicopter; once airborne, its engine nacelles can be rotated to convert the aircraft to a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight, according

Contributed photo

A few F-22 Raptors stopped at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station this summer, just one type of military aircraft to visit the Navy’s airspace. to Boeing.

Hempel said the aircraft didn’t land at the base, but that the Marines were doing training in the area.

Among the transient aircraft to stop at the base this year are C-40 Clipper and C-130 Herculues transport planes, C-12 Huron, KC-10 Extender refueling plane, T-38 Talon training aircraft and F-5 Freedom Fighters, a Vietmanera fighter jet.

Of course, the base’s air traffic controllers have to keep track

of all the transient aircraft and much more. NAS Whidbey’s airspace, at 2,200 square miles, is the largest in the Navy, Hempel said.

Control System, challenging controllers with a varied and fast-paced environment that averages nearly 215,000 total operations annually.”

“We have the only Class Charlie airspace,” he said.

The division is staffed by both military and Department of Defense civilians. Hempel said they are a very professional group — it takes 33 months to get qualified — that also cares about the community. They provide thousands of hours of community service.

And it’s a very busy airspace for the Air Traffic Control Division, or ATCF, to control.

“Routes into and around 15 airports are controlled within the confines of ATCF airspace,” according to NAS Whidbey Island Operations website. “It is among the busiest and most complex facilities in the U.S. Navy Air Traffic

“Safety is the No. 1 priority for us,” he said. “We do a good job.”

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Whidbey Marines celebrate 239th anniversary Every year on Nov. 10, the Marines pause to celebrate the anniversary of the Corps.

With a small contingent of Marines working at the Center for Naval Technical Training Unit Whidbey Island, they upheld this tradition by celebrating the Marines’ 239th birthday with a cake cutting ceremony.

Master Sgt. Ken Owens, along with the oldest Marine present, Tom Tomfohr, who was commissioned in the Marine Corps in January 1968, and the youngest Marine ,Lance Cpl. Justin Jennings,

who enlisted in the Marine Corps September 2013, led the ceremony.

This ceremony reminds Marines of their commitment to the Corps and the Corps’ commitment to the nation’s quest for peace and freedom worldwide. The cutting of the cake is performed using the Mameluke Sword, the traditional sword carried by the Marine Corps that dates back to the assault of Derna, Tripoli in 1805.

Once the cake is cut, each of the honored members enjoyed a bite, which symbolizes the passing down of knowledge from the most senior to the most junior.

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On Base

New hospital CO to focus on staff, community

By JANIS REID

Oak Harbor Naval Hospital commanding officer Capt. Frederick McDonald said his goal is to “get out of the way” of his staff and empower them to succeed.

The motto he’s initiated in his first 14 weeks is “Patients First, Shipmates Always.”

McDonald replaces former CO Capt. Edward Simmer, who rankled some retirees with his hard-lined approach to Navy-ordered changes.

The two main directives, according to McDonald, are to change the hospital’s scope of service and to increase enrollment. Under Simmer, the Naval Hospital closed its urgent care unit and operating rooms with the intention of switching focus to outpatient care and a birthing center.

place to do that,” McDonald said. “We still get waiver requests, and we address them one at a time.”

McDonald hails from Lawrenceville, N.J., and has bachelor’s of science degrees in both biology and optometric science, and a doctorate of optometry. He was commissioned as a lieutenant for the Medical Service Corps and, after five years of naval service, he attended medical school through the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program.

McDonald has been posted to medical programs throughout the country and most recently was served at Naval Health Clinic, Patuxent River, Md.

Understandably, this created some angst, McDonald said.

McDonald said that the changes at the Naval Hospital mirror a Navy-wide trend of adjusting the mission of medical staff according to personnel needs. Because the country has been involved in conflicts abroad for a number of years now, it increases the need for medical personnel outside of the country and changes the landscape for those who need services at home.

“It’s challenging for anyone, and we’re not the only

Navy leadership found that the majority of patients at

Retirees with doctors off base were directed to return to care at the Naval Hospital or downgrade their insurance with Tricare.

Oak Harbor Naval Hospital were expectant mothers and their babies, McDonald said.

For that reason, the hospital is gearing up to replace the urgent care and operating rooms with five state-of-theart birthing rooms and an expanded physical therapy facility.

In his tenure, McDonald said he hopes to be a “staffcentric” and “communitycentric” leader.

Initiatives he has already started to implement are working with Oak Harbor schools to combat childhood obesity and partnering with community organization in tobacco cessation programs.

In addition, McDonald hopes the Naval Hospital can become a better community partner when it comes to behavioral health.

Along with the rest of the state, Island County suffers from a lack of beds dedicated to behavioral and mental health, a problem that spills over into county jails and emergency rooms.

McDonald said the Naval Hospital hopes to partner with the health community to better address the issue in a way that is sustainable long term.

IN SERVICE TO THEIR COUNTRY ★

★

★

★

TO E VERY WOMAN AND MAN WHO HAS E VER SERVED AMERIC A ★ ★ ★ WE SALUTE YOU ★ ★ ★

Janis Reid photo

Capt. Frederick McDonald took the helm at Oak Harbor Naval Hospital in August. The physical therapy facility, pictured above, is one of several departments slotted for expansion.

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IN HONOR OF OUR VETERANS

By MICHELLE BEAHM, JESSIE STENSLAND, AND BEN WATANABE

Whidbey Island residents took time to thank servicemen and women in honor of Veterans Day in November.

More than 400 people gathered at Oak Harbor High School for a special Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 11.

While music from the high school choir Harbor Singers, the An-O-Chords Barber Shop Chorus, the All-Island Community Band and the Daybreak Trio accounted for most of the program, the highlight was the guest speaker, Chief Petty Officer Gabriel Zaldivar from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

Michelle Beahm photo

Oak Harbor High School’s Harbor Singers choir, directed by Darren McCoy, performed two songs at the Music Tribute to Our Veterans ceremony.

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“This year’s program fulfilled a long-standing desire to feature as a speaker a veteran currently serving in uniform,” said Dave Williams, event coordinator, “who could share the perspective of one who has participated and is participating in the ongoing conflicts of today.”

Williams said that Zaldivar “fulfilled that dream in spades.”

“He is a most impressive individual who is a credit to his uniform,” Williams said.

Zaldivar gave a moving speech about his experiences in war zones. One of the most touching parts was his account of the Fallen Comrade Ceremony, which Zaldivar said included a roll call of all available personnel, until the name of the fallen soldier was reached.

“Once you got to the fallen soldier’s name, they call it three times,” Zaldivar said.

“The person who was closest to that member says, ‘It appears that person is no longer with us.’”

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Following that would be a remembrance speech, before the body was driven to the airfield for the fallen soldier’s trip home.

“As the vehicle carrying the fallen soldier slowly makes its way to the aircraft, hundreds of people individually hand salute him, in their own way thanking that soldier for their ultimate sacrifice in service of his or her country.”

Darleen Drake, spouse of a World War II Navy veteran,

Jessie Stensland photo

Sailors carry Fallen Hero banners during the Veterans Day Parade in downtown Oak Harbor. said, “I’m sure that tears were brought to several people’s eyes … during the music and what the men were speaking about, because we understand what they went through and what we had to go through.”

At the tribute, the An-OChords Barber Shop Chorus sang the “Armed Forces Medley.” When each branch’s song was sung, veterans who served in those branches stood and were applauded by the rest of the audience.

“The song that honored all the different veterans? Oh, that just brings tears to the eyes, let me tell you,” Drake said. “It was wonderful.”

Helen Stimple, whose sonin-law and cousins-in-law were lost in war zones, said, “There was something about the music that always throws me. It brings tears to the eyes.

And this was especially moving, I felt.”

This is the fourth year the high school has hosted the musical tribute on Veterans Day, and the school’s Harbor Singers choir performed two pieces.

On the south end of Whidbey, strong gusts of wind and cold temperatures helped set the somber mood at the Bayview Cemetery Veterans Day memorial.

About 50 people huddled together along the pathway at the cemetery to remember the United States of America’s armed service members.

Many of the gravestones were marked with a U.S. flag, denoting a deceased veteran.

Retired Lt. Col. Dave Sullivan of Oak Harbor, a member of the Major Megan McClung Whidbey Island Marine Corps League Detachment 1210, said the flags were placed by the Whidbey Island chapter of the Military Officers Association of America at cemeteries between Langley and Anacortes.

“Most of the graves are veterans,” said Herb Weissblum of Freeland, a former Army airman and member of the Major Megan McClung Detachment.

The ceremony was marked with a moment of silence, a prayer, a poem, a pair of speeches by veterans and the bugling of “Taps.” American Legion Poppy Girl Krista Dreschel read the war poem, “In Flanders Fields.” Pastor Darrell Wenzek, chaplain at the Bayview American Legion Post 141, prayed that people remember that soldiers often “promote peace” and stand against aggression.

Grethe Cammermeyer, a retired Army nurse, spoke about the change in attitude toward the armed services.

She noted that the World War II veterans were welcomed home as heroes and are often referred to as the last great generation. When other U.S. soldiers came home from the SEE VETERANS, A7

Photo by Ben Watanabe

Members of the Major Megan McClung Whidbey Island Marine Corps League Detachment 1210 fire a round during a ceremony on Veterans Day at Bayview Cemetery.

Michelle Beahm photo

When the An-O-Chords sang the Armed Forces Medley, veterans of each branch stood during that branch’s portion of the song, to the applause of the rest of the audience.

Dwayne Lane’s Family of Auto Centers Jessie Stensland photo

Cmdr. Tabb Stringer, commanding officer of VAQ-129, hands out candy during Oak Harbor’s Veterans Day Parade.

VETERANS CONTINUED FROM A6 Vietnam War, she said, they were “being spat upon, rejected.” After moments like that, remembrances such as the Bayview memorial on Veterans Day were important to support troops.

“We have learned the cost of war and sacrifices of service members so that never again are they not recognized or appreciated,” Cammermeyer said.

The Saturday prior, the Oak Harbor community celebrated Veterans Day with a Nov. 8 parade that was equal parts solemn and joyous.

Terry Lacey, founder of the parade, said 40 different groups participated in the parade, with more than 100 active-duty members of the military and plenty of senior military members. That included Capt. Mike Nortier, commanding officer for Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

There was plenty of noise from a long line of veterans motorcycle groups, bands, honking cars and screaming kids. But even those lively

kids fell silent as the group of military people holding the banners of the Fallen Heroes marched past.

He said he’s already planning next year’s parade. He hopes to get another band and additional vintage military vehicles.

“We’re still growing,” he said.

Oak Harbor resident Arthur Morris, a Vietnam veteran, was standing on the sidewalk after the parade was over when a group of uniformed sailors strolled by. One of the young men took Morris by the hand and thanked him.

Such graciousness, Morris said, was a welcome change from when he returned from Vietnam. He served three tours during the war, including one aboard the USS Racine — a unique member of the amphibious fleet.

Morris said there were times during Vietnam when he wasn’t comfortable wearing his uniform in public.

Thankfully, those days have changed; he hasn’t missed a Veterans Day Parade yet.

“There’s a lot more appreciation for people serving nowadays,” he said.

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ACTIVE DUTY

Navy’s last Prowler Squadron comes home

By JANIS REID

With the return Nov. 14 of Electronic Attack Squadron 134, the Garudas, the last of the EA-6Bs currently on deployment from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station are back home.

Ben Kroll and his daughter, Abigail, 2, waited expectantly for “Uncle Josh” to land his EA-6B Prowler at Ault Field and climb out of the cockpit.

“Uncle Josh is coming,” Abigail said. “It’s going to be loud.”

Around 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14, Kroll was able to greet friend and pilot Josh Brown, who arrived with the other Prowlers with VAQ-134.

The Garudas’ nine-month deployment aboard the USS George H.W. Bush marks the squadron’s — and Navy’s — final deployment of the Prowler.

“It’s great,” said Kroll, who is a pilot with VAQ-140. “They have been gone for some time.”

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squadron’s commanding officer, Christopher Jason, said she was incredibly proud of her husband. He assumed command of the squadron mid-deployment in June.

While each deployment comes with its own challenges, Jason said it’s best just to keep busy and take it one day at a time.

“It’s always one of the happiest moments for the families when they come home,” said Capt. Mike Norter, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station’s commanding officer.

“We going to do some traveling,” said Silvia Conner, who greeted her husband Friday.

“He’s going to want to stretch his legs after being locked in that steel box for nine months.”

VAQ-134 is the final Navy squadron to transition to the new EA-18G Growler, which will be completed early next year. This will mark the end of an era for the Prowler dating to the early 1970s.

Prowlers will still be flown by the Marines.

The first EA-6B arrived at NAS Whidbey Island in January 1971 and was deployed to service in the Vietnam War in 1972.

The Prowler is outfitted with an electronic warfare system and has been well used for its long-range flight and all-weather capabilities. Built

by Grumman, the Prowler was built for carrier and advanced base operations, according to the Navy.

With the basic airframe of the now-retired A-6 Intruder, the Prowler also has a forward cockpit that allows for a crew of four, one pilot and three responsible for countermeasures.

Much like its replacement,

Janis Reid photos

Cheryl Jason, wife of Electronic Attack Squadron 134’s commanding officer Christopher Jason, greets her husband with their sons Desmond and Holden as he arrives home Nov. 14. Below, a pilot is welcomed home. the Growler, the Prowler supported strike aircraft, ships and ground troops by degrading the enemy’s early warning capability and electronic weapons systems.

Avionics contained in the aircraft enabled it to navigate under all weather conditions without reference to ground navigation aids, fly at high altitude or low-level profiles, and intercept and jam enemy electronic emissions by means of its primary “weapon,” the tactical jamming system, according to a website documenting Navy history and aircraft.

VAQ-134’s deployment began in February in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During the first few months, the Garudas flew 104 combat missions over Afghanistan, according to the Navy.

The Buzz

Sailor to flip 250-pound tire for veteran charity The Whidbey Island sailor who attempted to break a Guinness world pullup record in July has a new challenge on the horizon.

Michael McCastle, who completed 3,202 pullups before being hospitalized, plans to flip a 250-pound tractor tire for 13 miles on Dec. 20. He said his intent is to raise awareness of the Wounded Warrior Project.

“Being in the military, it’s something I’m passionate about,” said McCastle, who works as an air traffic controller at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

“I hope to simply bring awareness to Wounded Warrior Project and their mission while testing my physical endurance, mental resolve and limits to my soul.”

His last fundraiser, in which he aimed to break the pullup record of Navy SEAL David Goggins, raised more than $10,000 for the

Wounded Warrior Project.

While McCastle will be taking donations for this event, he said the priority will be to raise “a certain level of awareness” instead of setting a fundraising goal.

“Remember our brave servicemen and women who have given life and limb so that we may live on freely each day,” McCastle said on his Facebook page. “And know that every penny donated goes directly to WWP and their programs designed to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history.

“Not all wounds of war are physical.”

The dynamics of the tireflip feat vary widely from those of his pullup challenge, McCastle said. He had to put on 20 pounds and will rely heavily on lower-body strength as opposed to the upper-body-focused pullups.

Originally envisioning a route from Deception Pass

New energy program on base promotes efficiency The Tenant Energy Efficiency Program was recently developed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station to reduce energy costs at the command level. Its main goals are to decrease base utility costs by 10 percent, foster a “culture of efficiency” and leave each tenant’s facility better than before.

The program also helps train sailors on how to be more energy efficient. The program involves the major operational commands (tenants) on base, who collectively use about 75 percent of the base’s energy. There is a competition among these tenants, using a scorecard that the building managers fill out and return to the energy management office every month.

Commands are scored each month on how much energy they have saved versus

the previous year and also in participation in the program, including their adoption of energy-efficient best practices. At the end of every quarter, a winner is chosen based on the most energy reduction scores achieved that quarter.

The winning command is presented with a trophy and flag, and is also given a reward for their hard work and effort.

During the spring and summer of fiscal year 2014, there were 10 commands involved in the “beta” testing phase of the program. Maritime Patrol Squadron 69 (VP-69) won the competition among beta testing participants.

The squadron was not only upgraded with energy efficient appliances, but it continues to turn off lights when their spaces are not in use and shut down computers after the day has ended.

to Oak Harbor, McCastle said he opted to keep the event inside Oak Harbor’s city limits to keep necessary assistance from law enforcement and State Patrol to a minimum.

While the details are being finalized with the City of Oak Harbor, McCastle said he plans to do a final lap around the city starting on Bayshore Drive and coming back down Midway Boulevard.

“There are people still out there, coming back with mental and physical wounds,” McCastle said. “The tire is a representation of that.”

Janis Reid photo

“They flip these tires every day in their minds.”

Michael McCastle trains behind the Crossfit in Oak Harbor with the 250-pound tractor tire he will be flipping for 13 miles to raise awareness and funds for the Wounded Warrior Project.

JOIN

US IN

To advertise, contact Teri Mendiola at 360-675-6611 · Only $10.00/month for a single size ad.

490 NW Crosby Ave., Oak Harbor 675-5008 Sunday Services 9:00, 10:30 & 11:45 am Living Word Kids: 3 mos–5th grade all services Middle School Youth: Sundays 4:00 PM High School Youth: Sundays 6:00 PM Weekly Adult Groups Russ Schlecht ~ Senior Pastor

www.elivingword.org

CALVARY APOSTOLIC TABERNACLE (The Pentecostals of Island County)

3143 Goldie Rd Unit B • Oak Harbor (behind Precision Tire)

SOULS HARBOR

A SAFE PLACE TO CALL HOME Sunday Morning...............10am Sunday Evening............ 6:30pm Wednesday..........................7pm

632-7243

Pastor Greg Adkins

Oak Harbor Lutheran Church

NW 2nd Avenue & Heller Road Across the street from OHHS Stadium

Sunday Worship ......8:00 & 10:30 am Sunday School......................... 9:15 am Nursery Available

Sunday Evening Prayer 6:30 PM at St. Mary Catholic Church in Coupeville Jeffrey Spencer, Lead Pastor Pastor Marc Stroud, Associate Pastor

679-1561

oakharborlutheran.org

Concordia Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

Adult Bible Study & Sunday School....9:00 am Worship Service .....................................10:15 am

250 SW 3rd Avenue • Oak Harbor Sunday Morning Services 8:45am & 10:30am Sermon Series | The Story

Pastor Mark T. Hanson 360-675-2548 Preschool 360-679-1697

Nursery Available

www.concordialutheranwhidbey.org

www.frcoh.org office@frcoh.org

590 N. Oak Harbor St • Oak Harbor

675-4837

Whidbey Presbyterian Church 1148 SE 8th Ave Oak Harbor

Sunday Services 9:30 a.m. and 11:00a.m • Small Groups • Community Outreach • Youth and Family Ministries • Childcare All Services • Much More! www.whidbeypres.org

679-3579

First United Methodist Church Worship Hours: Adult Sunday School: 9:00 am Worship Service: 10:00 am Children’s Sunday School: 10:30 am

Everyone is welcome to join us!

Youth Ministries-Choirs-Bible Studies

Dave Johnson .........................................Pastor Jake Howell Director of Children & Youth Ministries Chet Hansen ............................Music Minister

675-2441 • oakharborfumc.org 1050 SE Ireland St • Oak Harbor

Word Of Everlasting Life & Faith Church

3259 Old Goldie Road Oak Harbor, WA. 98277 360-682-2323 SUNDAY Bible Study 9:00am Worship Service 10:00am Come Worship With Us! Thursday Bible Study 7:00pm

40 NE Midway Blvd, #103 • Oak Harbor Pastor Dr. Thomas Stoneham Sr., Minister Donald Cole

GRACE

BY THE SEA AN ANGLICAN EXPRESSION OF FAITH

By JANIS REID

A Church, A Family

A Spiritual Home Grace By The Sea An Anglican Expression of Faith The Rev. Paul Orritt

360-679-3431 www.gracebythesea.org

•

Please check our website for current locations & service times.

WHIDBEY Classifieds! print & online 24/7 Office Hours: 8-5pm Monday to Friday

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announcements LEASE OPTION OR SELL an exclusive 3000 SF home on 10 wooded acres near Langley. 3 + bedroom, 3 bath home has some furnishings, s p a , g a ze b o, n ewe r kitchen, appliances, large garage and many extras. $2,100 / mo. or $559,000 (OFFER!) Call Gary at 360-661-2734.

GENERAL CONTRACTORfor Rent Apartments Living and serving Island County

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360-675-6533 IF YOU USED THE BLOOD THINNER XARELTO and suffered internal bleeding, hemorrhaging, required hospitalization or a loved one died while taking Xarelto between 2011 and the present time, you may be entitled to compensation.

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| WHIDBEY CROSSWIND

G&O

MINI STORAGE

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10

Announcements

| DECEMBER 2014

www.JerrySmithChevrolet.com www.JerrySmithChevrolet.com

Musical Instruments

Notice to Contractors Washington State Law (RCW 18.27.100) requires that all advertisements for construction related services include the contractor’s current depar tment of Labor and Industries registration number in the advertisement.

Failure to obtain a certificate of registration from L&I or show the registration number in all advertising will result in a fine up to $5000 against the unregistered contractor.

For more infor mation, call Labor and Industries Specialty Compliance Services Division at 1-800-647-0982 or check L&Is internet site at www.lni.wa.gov

NOTICE Washington State law requires wood sellers to provide an invoice (receipt) that shows the s e l l e r ’s a n d b u y e r ’s name and address and the date delivered. The invoice should also state the price, the quantity delivered and the quantity upon which the price is based. There should be a statement on the type and quality of the wood.

When you buy firewood write the seller’s phone number and the license plate number of the delivery vehicle.

The legal measure for firewood in Washington is the cord or a fraction of a cord. Estimate a c o r d by v i s u a l i z i n g a four-foot by eight-foot space filled with wood to a height of four feet.

Most long bed pickup trucks have beds that are close to the four-foot by 8-foot dimension.

To m a k e a f i r e w o o d complaint, call 360-9021857. agr.wa.gov/inspection/ WeightsMeasures/Fire woodinformation.aspx

CARRIER NEEDED For the Whidbey News Times, downtown Oak H a r b o r. D e l i ve r i n g Wednesday and Saturday mornings. No collecting. Great second For more selection, job! go to nw-ads.com.

Call Circulation, 360-675-6611 REPORTER The Grays Harbor Publishing Group on Grays Harbor, Wash., has an opening for a full-time reporter with an emphasis on local sports writing. We’re looking for someone to produce clear, brightly written high school prep spor ts stories relevant to real people reading us in print, on our website and in social media. Ability to take photos is necessary, as is familiarity with social media.

Grays Harbor is on the Washington Coast, an hour from the Olympic Rain Forest and two h o u r s f r o m S e a t t l e.

Benefits include, but are not limited to paid vacation, sick and holidays, medical, dental and life insurance, and a 401(K) plan with company match. Send a cover letter, resume and writing samples to: hr@soundpublishing.com All qualified applicants will be considered for employment. Qualified applicants selected for inter view will be required to complete an application.

home services Home Services Homeowner’s Help

AB CUSTOM CLEANING ~PROFESSIONAL~ ~ TIMELY ~ Personal Service for you & your home!

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| WHIDBEY CROSSWIND |

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Found

If you are missing or have found a stray cat or dog on Whidbey Island p l e a s e c o n t a c t WA I F Animal Shelter to file a l o s t o r fo u n d r e p o r t .

WAIF can be reached at either (360) 678-8900 ext. 1100 or (360) 321WAIF (9243) ext. 1100.

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