SAN DIEGO – Ships from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy sailed through the San Diego Bay while participating in San Diego Fleet Week Sea and Air Parade, Sept. 10.
Fleet Week honors the men and women of the sea services and celebrates the strong relationship between San Diego and the military.
“It’s an opportunity for the citizens of San Diego to see their United States Navy up close and personal. We are a Navy town. The Navy has been affiliated with San Diego for a long, long time, but they don’t always get the chance to visit a base or see a ship up close; they get to do that this weekend,” said Dennis DuBard, president of Fleet Week Foundation.
The parade, hosted by Port of San Diego and the USS Midway Museum, returned to San Diego after eight years.
“I hope San Diegans will get an in-depth look at what our Navy is doing for the country and for the city,” said Musician 3rd Class Kristen Hampton, a percussionist with the Seabreeze Combo Band from Navy Band Southwest.
Thousands of spectators lined the San Diego waterfront to watch the event, which included USS America (LHA 6), USS Champion (MCM 4), USS Pinckney (DDG 91), USS Sterett (DDG 104).
“When you think of San Diego, you think of the Navy. It’s just always been that way, and it’s what makes us special and what makes this city so incredibly beautiful. We have the beach, we have the mountains, we have the people that are amazing, and we have the military,” said Emily Griffiths, a disc jockey at local San Diego radio station KYXY. “What else is missing? I don’t think there’s anything else that’s missing! It has been an absolute blessing to be surrounded by the people who are serving our country.”
Coast Guard cutter Sherman (WHEC 720) and Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Winnipeg (FFH 338) also participated in the parade, along with several military aircraft and tactical demonstrations showcasing Navy and Coast Guard capabilities.
“Everyone appreciates the military so much, and it’s their time to show that appreciation, just like it’s our time to show them how much we appreciate being in their city and how much we love giving that support in everything we do,” said Hampton. “I’m proud to be in the Navy and honored to help support San Diego Fleet Week through music. It brings happiness to everyone,”
San Diego Fleet Week began Sept. 8 and runs through Sept. 15.
For more information regarding San Diego Fleet Week, visit: http://www.fleetweeksandiego.org or http://www.dvidshub.net/feature/fleetweeksandiego
For more news from Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c3f/
Date Taken: | 09.10.2016 |
Date Posted: | 09.11.2016 00:33 |
Story ID: | 209240 |
Location: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
Web Views: | 272 |
Downloads: | 1 |
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