Whiting relatives visit base

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. -- It was a homecoming of sorts early this month when a couple traveled to Milton to see the air station named after the woman’s grandfather 74 years ago. It was the first trip to Naval Air Station Whiting Field for Moira Walden and Fred Nehring. The air station was named for Capt. Kenneth Whiting, naval aviator No. 16. Moira is the daughter of Whiting’s youngest daughter, also named Moira. The couple, not knowing how to arrange a visit, contacted their congressman in Maine, who made all the necessary calls. They expected little more than a drive-around, but were taken on a tour of the base that trains Navy fliers, including the air traffic control towers, Training Air Wing FIVE’s two sim buildings, the night vision device lab and some aircraft on the flight lines. The highlight of the tour was seeing the memorial dedicated to her grandfather. It was unveiled by her mother more than 70 years earlier. (Source: Whiting Tower, 03/08/17)