FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RELEASE 25--69
Dec. 12, 2025
NAS Whidbey Island Station Search and Rescue Rescues Two in King County
NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. – A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Station SAR Whidbey based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island rescued two stranded men east of Fall City in King County on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.
Both men, a 71-year-old trapped atop his car, the other, a 31-year-old man in a tree, were both stranded in waters following the recent storm that cause widespread flooding damage in Western Washington.
State Authorities reached out to NAS Whidbey Island’s SAR team for assistance as local rescue units were unable to reach the stranded survivors. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island SAR conducted 36 missions this calendar year, which includes 3 MEDEVACs, 2 searches and 28 rescues.
The Navy SAR unit operates three MH-60S helicopters from NAS Whidbey Island as search and rescue/medical evacuation (SAR/MEDEVAC) platforms for the EA-18G aircraft as well as other squadrons and personnel assigned to the installation. Pursuant to the National SAR Plan of the United States, the unit may also be used for civil SAR/MEDEVAC needs to the fullest extent practicable on a non-interference basis with primary military duties according to applicable national directives, plans, guidelines and agreements; specifically, the unit may launch in response to tasking by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (based on a Washington State Memorandum of Understanding) for inland missions, and/or tasking by the United States Coast Guard for all other aeronautical and maritime regions, when other assets are unavailable.
Mike Welding
Public Affairs Officer
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
3730 N. Charles Porter Ave.
98278