EVERETT—The Economic Alliance Snohomish County and the Port of Everett hosted Captain Stacy Wuthier, Commanding Officer of the Naval Station Everett (NSE), to deliver the base’s annual State of the Station address on Wednesday, October 23, covering the NSE’s ongoing projects, its role in national defense, and its impact on our local economy.
The Naval Station is one of the top employers in Snohomish County with an estimated $622 million in total annual economic impact, according to the Navy Region during its latest economic assessment.
According to MilitaryINSTALLATIONS, there are about 6,000 Sailors and Civil Service personnel assigned to commands located at Naval Station Everett. The Naval Station itself has about 350 Sailors and Civilians assigned.
NSE supports Navy service ships and Coast Guard assets. It will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next Wednesday, October 30, having been established on April 8, 1994, supporting aircraft carriers and surface ships ever since.
The station also has locations in Smokey Point, near Marysville, a housing complex for troopers in Lake Stevens, a location on the Pacific Coast of Washington, and research centers in Idaho and North Dakota.
The decision to open a new naval base in Puget Sound was first proposed in 1983 as a part of the U.S. Navy’s national strategy of protection, deterrence, and presence. After considering 13 potential locations, the Port of Everett was ultimately decided upon as the most ideal location for this mission.
The station is paramount to keeping oceanic lanes free for necessary trade going in-and-out of Puget Sound, deterring strategies through submarine presence, and leading carrier strike groups when needed. The NSE also leads cultural diplomacy efforts, interacting with smaller Navy’s all over the world.
Commander Wuthier began her report by thanking the Port of Everett and Economic Alliance Snohomish County for their continued support, adding that it’s the community, above all else, that supports the station’s sailors.
“The mission at Naval Station Everett is a lot bigger in scope and depth than just running a warship,” said Commander Wuthier. “We’re not just a place where you park ships, we are going out and supporting the mission of ships…We are one of the most capable, reliable, movable airports out there.”
Commander Wuthier described the station as a “city within a city” with its own infrastructure, its own utilities (water, power, sewage), its own housing, medical center, gas station, store, and services including an onsite bar and lounge, restaurants, gym, pool, childcare center, and other amenities. The station even holds regular recreational activities such as hikes and mushroom foraging to allow its troops to decompress from the stresses of their duties.
Within the last year, the station has completed 97 movement dates, meaning ships that come and go, had 1,719 days when ships were at port, 32 days when ships we locked together, and had approximately 22 maintenance periods to ensure ships were in working condition.
The station has the highest emergency management assessment program, Wuthier noted, up 95% in the last year.
The station has also worked with Puget Sound Naval Shipyard to increase its capability to support pier-side selected restricted availability maintenance and intermediate repairs for homeport ships, which basically means sailors stationed in Everett can remain at the station to get ship repairs saving the U.S. government millions.
Commander Wuthier noted the station is currently working on enhancing communication to create lasting local partnerships, sharing information so that the needs and interest of the station coordinate with local governments to ensure plans and regulations support land use and are compatible with Navy operations.
“Naval Station Everett is fortunate. We have a very welcoming home within the City of Everett. We have built strong relationships to create and maintain these relationships with the compatibility between local land uses and military activities,” said Commander Wuthier.
NSE also frequently coordinates with nonprofits, tribal, local, state, and federal entities to protect land for environmental conservation to buffer military operations.
“We take our environmental stewardship very seriously,” said Commander Wuthier.
Before Commander Wuthier’s report, Wednesday’s event began with a mingling and cocktail hour, with food provided by nearby Lombardi’s Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar, before Wendy Poischbeg, Economic Alliance Snohomish County Interim President and CEO, took the stage to share some words.
Following Poischbeg was District 2 Port Commissioner Tom Stiger who briefly advertised the Port’s upcoming Haunted Harbor event on October 25. This brand-new event will hold all-ages activities from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. including trick-or-treating the boats moored alongside Guest Dock 5, an outdoor movie, games, crafts, and more.
About Commander Stacy Wuthier
Wuthier was commissioned through the Officer Candidate School and the Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program in 2000. Prior to assuming command of Naval Station Everett, Captain Wuthier commanded the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Ballston Spa, NY.
She also commanded USS JACKSON (LCS 6) Blue Crew homeported in San Diego, CA. At sea, she was Executive Officer aboard USS JACKSON (LCS 6) and USS OMAHA (LCS 12) Blue Crew, Reactor Training Assistant aboard USS GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78), Main Propulsion Assistant aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73), Operations Officer aboard USS VANDERGRIFT (FFG 48), Reactor Controls Division Officer aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71), and Combat Information Center Officer aboard USS CHANCELLORSVILLE (CG 62). During these tours, she deployed to the 5th and 7th Fleet Areas of Operation.
Ashore, she has served as Personnel Exchange Program Officer in the operations directorate for Commander, Italian Maritime liaison, and the Joint Staff J7 as the Assistant Operations and Training Officer for the deployable training division. Captain Wuthier earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington and a master’s in engineering management from Old Dominion University. Her personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation.
Wuthier has been awarded four medals in addition to two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and multiple unit commendations. She was the keynote speaker at the Port of Everett’s annual Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony in 2024.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
