Mission Statement
To place an A-3 Skywarrior aircraft on static display at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, as a memorial to those who flew it, those who perished, and those who provided support for the aircraft and its missions. The A-3 and its crews shall not be forgotten.
January 2011
The Whidbey Island A-3 Memorial project has designated NRA-3B 144825 as their 1st choice. This release is expected from Raytheon sometime around May 2010.
Below are links to the Whidbey Times and some stories covering events up to the latest develpments.
Signs Point to Skywarriors Return
A-3 Skywarrior Jet Could Return to Whidbey
Skywarrior Foundation Rushes to 'Save the Whale'
Skywarrior's Return: Islanders Anxiously Await the A-3 'Whale'
September 2011
Just a heads up for those following the Whidbey Whale project.
We received the RA "bullnose" radome and the bomber "duckbutt" tail from Raytheon via Mike Glenn last week.
Today we had a meeting with NAS, the Whidbey Skywarrior project board and assorted civilian and military volunteers.
The meeting was productive, AM2 Fielding of VQ-2 volunteered to be the lead of the restoration project.
We hashed out the plan of attack, strip the bomber tail and fix the damage done when it was removed from the A-3 at Van Nuys, repaint the RA nose radome from the low viz tactical gray to the gloss gray of the current paint job and install it, remove the conduit run fairing on the right side and remove the wing pylons.
In addition the plane was pressure defueled today, next up will be pencil draining the low points and possibly disconnecting and draining the engine fuel lines.
We would like to thank Raytheon, Ken Ballard of NAVAIR, Helen Watson of the Navy museum in Pensacola, the CO of NAS Whidbey, Captain Jay Johnston, the NASWI air field Manager Bill McMillon, Lt Tom Amano of the NASWI Air Terminal and Doss Aviation for their help in this project.
Send your thoughts or send money. ;-)
Joe Hawkins
March 2012
In anticipation of the VQ-2 deactivation ceremony, the A-3 is being used as a Skywarrior representative of that era of their proud history.
The ceremony is set for:
17 May 2012
1000 hrs.
Hanger 6, NAS Whidbey Island
September 2015
Photos of the move from the base to the memorial site are below.
Photos kindly taken and provided by Joe Hawkins Sept. 29, 2015
November 2015
Project Progress and New Location and Memorial Design Photos.
August 2016
Towing into position on the mounting pad in preparation for craning next week. At that time it will be mounted in its final display configuration depicting an arrested landing on a carrier deck. Thank you Joe Hawkins for the photos.
November 2016
The engraved black granite monuments have been brought to
the site and put in place except for final epoxy bonding.
Note also that the perimeter sidewalk is down and it won't be long
before it is all finalized.
May 2017
Mission Accomplished
During the past nine years, the concept, request for, organization, funding, delivery, restoration, painting and dedication of an A-3 Skywarrior at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island was realized. Thank you to all that made the dream a success. Now it is time to chart new territory and look ahead to the future of the A-3 Skywarrior Whidbey Memorial Foundation. You, the membership, define the education based non-profit foundation and your input is desired to determine the future, identify the leadership, and to respond to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island tasking with regard to complying with the National Naval Aviation Museum directives as applies to names on display aircraft.