U.S. Navy Fleet Forces Command reports that Congress is considering authorizing and appropriating funds for the U.S. Navy to procure more EA-18G Growler aircraft. Though funding for the added planes is still uncertain, U.S. Fleet Forces Command has been directed to incorporate the potential additions to the Navy's Electronic Attack community at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island into an ongoing Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), according to a press release from Fleet Forces Command.

The onging EIS focuses on three locations: Oak Harbor, Coupeville and Anacortes, according to Ted Brown, Environmental Public Affairs Officer for U.S. Fleet Forces Command. The study also looks at a balance of operations between NAS Whidbey and the Outlying Landing Field at Coupeville, Brown said.

Fleet Forces Command is evaluating how the potential change may affect the scope and timing of the ongoing EIS.

The number of Growlers in the Navy inventory, and the number ultimately based at NAS Whidbey Island, depends on how many are funded by Congress. The Navy is developing a variety of force structure alternatives, according to the press release, which are to be made public as part the National Environmental Policy Act process.