5-14-2019

OAK HARBOR, Wash. — Portions of an investigation into the 2017 incident where a Whidbey Island-based Navy pilot drew male genitalia with contrails have been released, though some information was redacted.

The Navy Times details the exchange between two lieutenants after they had completed a training flight near the Okanogan area.

In the transcript, one lieutenant says, “Draw a giant penis . . . . that would be awesome.”

While the Navy said at the time that the two would go before a disciplinary board, it was recommended they receive non-punitive letters of instruction.

The investigator wrote that the incident “caused the United States Navy severe embarrassment in the public arena” and calls into question the justification of their flight hour program.

On their website, the Naval Air Base claims to be a major “contributor” to the economy, with over $548 million in direct military and civilian payroll expenditures in 2017.

For the complete Navy Times account of the investigation, visit this page.