Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen from several ships and military units will be in San Francisco for the annual San Francisco Fleet Week, Oct. 1-9.
“Our Sailors and Marines are excited about participating in Fleet Week and enjoying liberty in San Francisco,” said Navy spokesman Brian O’Rourke. “This city has earned a well-deserved reputation with our uniformed men and women as a favorite port visit, and we look forward to the unparalleled outreach events and training opportunities Fleet Week provides.”
“The Fleet Week planners continue to work closely with the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard on Fleet Week planning as we have since January. We look forward to the arrival of the fleet over the next few days,” said Lewis Loeven, executive director of San Francisco Fleet Week. “Their participation is important to us, but Fleet Week is first and foremost a community event, and the celebration of those serving in our military will go on. If the federal government shuts down, we will adjust our schedule and move forward.”
San Francisco Fleet Week offers the public an opportunity to take a tour of the ships and interact with service members as they showcase their ships’, units’, and services’ capabilities. It also gives the public a chance to gain a better understanding of how the sea services support the national defense of the United States and protect freedom of the seas.
Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard forces and assets also participate in a robust disaster response exercise, an annual event joint training event that adds a serious, practical objective to San Francisco Fleet Week. The exercise is designed to train military forces and local, county, state and federal government agencies to work together to respond to natural and man-made disasters, such as earthquakes, wildfires and industrial accidents.
Service members will have an opportunity to interact with the local community while participating in several community relations projects and entertainment events throughout the week.
The Fleet will arrive in San Francisco Sunday-Monday, Oct. 1-2. The public will have opportunities to tour the ships and meet service members following their arrival.