The Naval Air Station Seaplane Base at Oak Harbor Oak Harbor before World War II. NAS Whidbey Island Seaplane Base under construction 1942. NAS Whidbey Island Seaplane Base in 1944. Main hangar on the left is now the Navy Exchange. Before there was a Naval Base, this was a farming community of 650. When the war began, the Navy sought out a location withsuitable favorable year-round weather for seaplane training and operations. Oak Harbor was chosen and construction was begun in early 1942. In record time the Base was completed and began operation in the fall of 1942. PBYs in great numbers operated to and from the Base through WWII. As many as 30 Catalinas could be seen tied down on the concrete aprons and at least four of the 104 foot wing cats would be in the main hangar for maintenance. Today, there isn't a Cat to be seen anywhere... but that isn't the end of the story!  The Naval Seaplane Base at Oak Harbor, Washington is a designated historical site. The PBY Memorial Foundation's goal is to carry that theme and make this a visual reality. We WILL bring the "Old Cat" back where she belongs - in her very own hangar with her history displayed proudly for all to see! Click here to learn how you can help make this a reality.