PORTLAND, Ore. – Rose Festival Fleet Week came to a close as U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy ships departed Portland, Oregon, after a week of festivities throughout the city and along the waterfront, June 12.
During their stay, Sailors aboard the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6), Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), medium endurance cutter USCG Alert (WMEC 630), seagoing buoy tender USCG Ironwood (WLB 297), and the Kingston-class coastal defense vessels HMCS Brandon (MM 710) and HMCS Edmonton (MM 703), were able to showcase their ships to the public through ship tours along the Tom McCall waterfront.
Ship tours provide the public with an opportunity to come aboard, meet Sailors, learn about the ships, and become introduced to their mission in relation to national defense.
“I think it’s fantastic. We’ve never had an opportunity to visit a city during fleet week, and the technology of the ships is absolutely beautiful, especially the new stealth technology,” said Thomas Licciardi, a retired heath care executive visiting Portland from Sacramento, California.
Sailors stationed aboard these ships and from various commands throughout the Pacific Northwest, also traveled ashore to visit shops, restaurants and local attractions, as well as interact with members of the public throughout the city.
“We had 5,537 people visit our Navy ships and talk to our Sailors on board. And of course, we allowed liberty for hundreds of our fleet Sailors, so they could get out, have fun and connect with the community,” said Rear Adm. Gary Mayes, commander, Navy Region Northwest (CNRNW).
Sailors, as well as local and regional naval leadership, also participated in the annual Rose Festival events including the Grand Floral Parade, the Royal Rosarian Knighting Ceremony, and various other civic organization events over the course of their stay.
“I believe we exceeded our fleet week goals to educate, inform, and inspire in Portland. The more our nation's citizens understand about their Navy and our people, the better they will support us in return. This year, we connected with the public as well as corporate, civic, government, education, media, veterans, community service, and even partner-agency stakeholders,” said Mayes.
The Navy conducts fleet weeks at sea fairing cities on both sides of the continental U.S. One of the goals of these events is to introduce citizens to the Navy, its mission, and its capabilities.
“We hope those who came to Fleet Week Portland walk away proud of what our collective sea services contribute to national defense and regional stability. Most importantly, we hope they walk away with a better understanding of the people who serve this great nation,” said Mayes. “The general public may be aware of our ships, submarines and aircraft, but we make our most meaningful connections when they meet our Sailors, talk to them and understand the remarkable human side of who we are and what we do.”
CNRNW hosted an environmental partner agency engagement event along the waterfront. Members of various environmental agencies including the U.S. Forestry Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and Bureau of Land Management were invited to attend the event that showcased the Navy’s green energy innovation, ocean protection, wildlife conservation and marine mammal research efforts and various other environmental protection efforts currently being carried out by the Navy.
“To me, this is one of the best things that we can get out of fleet week. Engaging with people, such as yourselves, who we work with every day,” said Vice Admiral Nora Tyson, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, who spoke during the event. “We need to work with you. We need to build relationships. We need to understand each other and what we do and how we complement each other.”
This event was the first of its kind to be held during Portland Fleet Week. It is part of an initiative to use these events as a way of building inter-agency relationships and understanding.
“This is our first time doing this,” said Mayes. “It’s important for the Navy to continue to do this because the Navy can’t do what it needs to do without the support of our partner agencies.”
In Portland, fleet week is coordinated in conjunction with Rose Festival, an annual celebration. The Navy, in conjunction with city, state, and local civic organizations are involved in coordinating the event.
“Fleet weeks take considerable planning through the year, and we couldn't do it without the support of the event committees and volunteers. The Navy here is represented by the regional commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, the associated strike group, ships, Navy Recruiting, and more,” said Mayes. “Beyond the Navy, there are hundreds more people involved in making these events happen, including the event committees; other federal, state and local agencies; local elected officials; ports; law enforcement and other first responders, just an amazing number of folks dedicated to these efforts.”