As much as some people in Port Townsend think that the name Growler denotes the sound that these specialized planes emit, that isn’t the case at all.

These are model F-18 combat planes, a variant of the same plane that the Blue Angels fly, which are F/A-18s. The “A” denotes “attack.”

These planes are the backbone of our air fighting force that is protecting us around the world. The Growler title is a designation for the task that the plane is specially equipped to perform. The title has been given to other types of aircraft that have previously had the same task.

Many in Port Townsend have keyed on that name, figuring that it just means noise without giving much thought to it, and just assumed that even the Navy thought it was loud so they named it a Growler.

Nope, that’s not true.

I really agree with all that Gary Price submitted to The Leader on the subject of the Growlers. They are an essential part of our defense of the nation and should not be impeded by some people in Port Townsend that claim that they have been severely affected by the sound of the planes taking off on Whidbey both physically and mentally.

In some cases, I might be able to see the mental part of it. There is far more noise around our area that is likely attributed to Whidbey Island air base, like all the commercial planes, several types of helicopters and lots of private planes that are going overhead every day and all day long.

The Whidbey naval air base was here before you were, so try to get over it or find some remote island very far away, because that’s the only way you’re going to avoid airplane noise.

ROSS BUDDEN

Port Ludlow