Sound Defense Alliance (SDA) and its Island County member groups will host a community event, “Fight not Flight,” on Friday, April 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the historic Crockett Barn, 1056 South Crockett Farm Road. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. Program begins at 5:40 p.m. Event is free and open to the public; beer, wine and light refreshments will be served. This event is part of SDA’s ‘No New Jets. No New Flights.’ campaign.
According to event organizer Anne Harvey, “People can share their experiences with the Growler jet increases, learn about plans for community action, and find ways to get involved.”
In an unprecedented move—and despite the objections of thousands of citizens and local, state and federal officials—the Department of Defense recently formalized its decision to add 36 EA-18G Growler jets to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and to quadruple flight operations at Outlying Field Coupeville. Incremental flight increases began March 18. “Across Puget Sound, and especially in Coupeville, people are witnessing new jets, new patterns, new close calls and much more noise than experienced In the past,” said Marianne Brabanski a retired audiologist and board member of Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve, a group member of SDA.
In response to the military’s unrestrained expansion, SDA has organized events throughout Northwest Washington to inform and engage the public. SDA is committed to working with elected officials and people across the state and nation to achieve an outcome balanced between the needs of military and civilian communities. “This one-sided expansion in Northwest Washington is unlivable and unsustainable,” commented Maryon Attwood, SDA chair.
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