Fleet Week_sails_past_the_Statue_of_Liberty_in_New_York_Harbor.jpg)  _as_the_ship_arrives_in_port_for_the_annual_San_Dieg.jpg) Fleet Week is a United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard tradition in which active military ships recently deployed in overseas operations dock in a variety of major cities for one week. Once the ships dock, the crews can enter the city and visit its tourist attractions. At certain hours, the public can take a guided tour of the ships. Often, Fleet Week is accompanied by military demonstrations and air shows such as those provided by the Blue Angels. HistoryThe first Fleet Week was celebrated in San Diego, California, during the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition.[2] The years between World War I and World War II saw an increasing military build-up in both Japan and Germany, while the communist Soviet Union (USSR) was given over to the wave of Stalinist nationalism. Most United States citizens experienced little sense of urgency about foreign developments because of isolationism and concerns with the ongoing economic Great Depression. However, then-U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a former Assistant Secretary of the Navy, was intent on expanding the U.S. Navy in response to world political trends. A major aircraft company was moving to Lindbergh Field, (today more commonly known as San Diego International Airport). In this atmosphere, Fleet Week was born. At 11 a.m. on May 29, 1935, a color guard of the U.S. Marine Corps led a parade across Cabrillo Bridge to Plaza del Pacifico, where the U.S. flag was raised to open the Exposition officially. At 8 p.m., Roosevelt spoke by telephone and designated two selected orphans to press the buttons turning on the lights which bathed the grounds in color. In his remarks, heard over the loudspeaker system, Roosevelt said: "The decision of the people of San Diego thus to dedicate the California Pacific International Exposition is, I believe, worthy of the courage and confidence with which our people now look to the future. No one can deny that we have passed through troubled years. No one can fail to feel the inspiration of your high purpose. I wish you great success." During Fleet Week in June 1935, 114 warships and 400 military planes arrived under command of U.S. Navy Admiral Joseph M. Reeves, Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Fleet. It was described as the mightiest fleet ever assembled under the U.S. flag. It included forty-eight battleships, cruisers and aircraft carriers, with more than 3,000 commissioned officers and 55,000 enlisted men. The U.S. Navy men visited the Exposition and, in turn, thousands of San Diegans and other fairgoers were guests on the various ships. San Francisco For years it was common for several U.S. Navy ships to dock in San Francisco, California for a similar series of events. One or more fleet ships were docked as a "visit ship" for tourists to board, and the local community took in sailors for home visits; drinks were often discounted to uniformed sailors at area bars and restaurants. The highlight of the San Francisco Fleet Week is the Air Show on San Francisco Bay with the Blue Angels as the center of attention.[3] The Air Show also features stunt planes and parachute team and Coast Guard demonstrations.[4] Another highlight of the Fleet Week SF is a parade of ships under the Golden Gate Bridge.[5]  The revived name of Fleet Week was applied to an expanded and more heavily publicized fleet visit in 1981, in conjunction with Columbus Day Weekend celebrations during the second week of October. Since then, the event has been held each year during the Columbus Day Weekend without a break and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2005. The event is estimated to attract over one million people who watch the air show along the San Francisco Bay waterfront stretching from the Ferry Building to the Golden Gate Bridge.[6] The event was canceled for 2013 due to federal budgetary issues,[7] but was revived in 2014, and continues to be an annual event. San Francisco Fleet Week 2018Ships included:
San Francisco Fleet Week 2019Ships included:
San Francisco Fleet Week 2021San Francisco Fleet Week returned after 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ships included:
San Francisco Fleet Week 2022Ships included:
San Francisco Fleet Week 2023Ships included:
San Francisco Fleet Week 2024Ships included: Port EvergladesFor more than 20 years, Fleet Week Port Everglades has been produced as a signature event for South Florida each spring by Broward Navy Days, a non-profit 501(c)(3). FW PEV provides an annual opportunity for residents to honor and celebrate Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen for their service to their country as well as witness first-hand the latest capabilities of today's modern navy. With the support of sponsors and assistance of hundreds of volunteers representing veterans, civic and service organizations, FW PEV offers opportunities to enjoy shore leave and participate in a wide variety of recreational, vocational and community service activities. Popular events include: All Hands on Deck Welcoming Party, Damage Control Olympics, Community Relations Projects, Ship Tours, Celebrity Chef Luncheon, Ship Honorary Dinners, Submariners Reception, Take a Hero Fishing Tournament, Golf Tournament, Culinary Competitions, Sailor of the Year Recognition and Dignitary Reception. The Air & Sea Show was an annual air show in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in which military and civilian performances took place on the four mile stretch of beach from Oakland Park to Las Olas Boulevard. The show existed from 1995 until 2007. It was revived in 2017 and now takes place around Memorial Day exclusive of Fleet Week. Port Everglades Fleet Week 2018Visiting ships included:
Port Everglades Fleet Week 2019Visiting ships included:
Port Everglades Fleet Week 2020On March 16, 2020, Fleet Week was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Port Everglades Fleet Week 2021Fleet Week was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Port Everglades Fleet Week 2022On April 21, 2022, the Navy announced visiting ships would be:
Port Everglades Fleet Week 2023On April 21, 2023, the Navy announced visiting ships would be: Port Everglades Fleet Week 2025Visiting ships were: New York City US Naval vessels had visited New York City in a celebratory manner dating back to the aftermath of the Spanish–American War in 1898, when Commodore George Dewey was celebrated as the hero of the battle of Manila Bay. However, the first official Fleet Week began in New York City in 1982. Fleet Week in New York City is generally timed to coincide with the Memorial Day holiday weekend. During the New York City Fleet Week, ships are docked at New York Passenger Ship Terminal on the Hudson River on the West Side of the borough of Manhattan and also at Stapleton in the borough of Staten Island. In 2012, ships visited Brooklyn for the first time, docking at the Cruise Ship Terminal. The practice of US Navy ships visiting the city and being open for tours began in 1988. NYC Fleet Week 1988 included the aircraft carrier USS America and battleship USS Iowa. Other vessels included the guided missile cruiser USS Josephus Daniels and the guided missile destroyers USS Kidd and USS Preble [8] NYC Fleet Week 1989 celebrated the bicentennial of the inauguration of President George Washington. Visiting vessels included the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal and the AEGIS cruiser USS Ticonderoga.[9] NYC Fleet Week 1990 included the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy. Fifteen Navy and Coast Guard ships were part of the celebration which included commemoration of the bicentennial of the US Coast Guard. third annual Fleet Week. Vessels included the Coast Guard training ship Eagle,[10] NYC Fleet Week 1991 coincided with Operation Welcome Home to commemorate military personnel returning from Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Vessels included the aircraft carrier USS America, battleship USS Wisconsin, and the AEGIS cruiser USS San Jacinto.[11] NYC Fleet Week 1992 was held from May 20–26. It included 13 US naval ships and 7 vessels from European navies.[12] NYC Fleet Week 1993 was held from May 27–31, and included ships from several countries including the Russian destroyer Bezuderzhny and oiler Sheksna. The US presence of 12 ships was headlined by the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy. Ships at the Manhattan location included USS John F. Kennedy, USS Leyte Gulf. US Navy ships in Staten Island included USS Clifton Sprague and USS Bowen, USS Normandy, USS Wainwright, and USS Donald B. Beary. Ainsworth, rescue ship Ortolan, USS Capodanno The US Coast Guard was represented by vessels Adak, Sorrel, Staten Island, Tampa, and Wire. A Polish submarine also visited.[13][14] NYC Fleet Week 1998 was May 20–27 and included the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy. NYC Fleet Week 1999 included the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp. NYC Fleet Week 2002 began on May 22, and was the first Fleet Week following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center. Thirteen U.S. Navy ships, five U.S. Coast Guard ships, one ship representing the Canadian Navy and one representing the Danish Navy sailed up the Hudson River to piers 86 and 88 near the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum and to Staten Island. US ships included USS Sentry. NYC Fleet Week 2003 included eighteen ships from five nations, including tall sailing ships from Mexico and India. Nine ships of the US Navy were present, including USS Shreveport, an Austin-class amphibious transport dock, the dock landing ship USS Portland, three guided missile cruisers including USS Normandy, and three frigates. New York City Fleet Week 2004Ships included: New York City Fleet Week 2005Visiting ships included:
New York City Fleet Week 2007Ships included: New York City Fleet Week 2008The 2008 Fleet Week, the 21st annual observance, began May 21. Visiting ships were:
New York City Fleet Week 2009New York City Fleet Week 2009 was May 20–26, 2009, with representatives from both the U.S. military and the Royal Canadian Navy. The visiting ships were:
New York City Fleet Week 2010The 23rd Fleet Week ran May 26–31, 2010. Visiting ships included:
New York City Fleet Week 2011The 24th New York Fleet Week was in May 2011. Visiting ships were:
New York City Fleet Week 2012The 25th New York City Fleet Week was in May 2012. It was also OpSail 2012 in commemoration of the War of 1812. Visiting ships were:
New York City Fleet Week 2013Fleet Week was canceled due to federal budget cuts (sequestration).[15][16][17] New York City Fleet Week 2014On April 8, 2014, the Navy announced that visiting ships would be:
New York City Fleet Week 2015On April 13, 2015, the Navy announced that visiting ships would be:
New York City Fleet Week 2016On April 4, 2016, the Navy announced visiting ships would be:
New York City Fleet Week 2017On May 8, 2017, the Navy announced visiting ships would be:
New York City Fleet Week 2018On April 12, 2018, the Navy announced visiting ships would be:
New York City Fleet Week 2019On March 27, 2019, the Navy announced visiting ships would be:
New York City Fleet Week 2020On March 27, 2020, it was announced that the in-person Fleet Week event had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Virtual Fleet Week," its web-based alternative, attracted over 170,000 unique viewers from May 20–26, 2020.[18] New York City Fleet Week 2021On February 8, 2021, it was announced that the in-person Fleet Week event had again been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual Fleet Week returned for its second consecutive year.[19] New York City Fleet Week 2022 On March 16, 2022, it was announced that Fleet Week would return after a two-year pause due to COVID-19. On April 1, 2022, it was announced visiting ships would be:
New York City Fleet Week 2023On April 4, 2023, it was announced visiting ships would be:
New York City Fleet Week 2024On 24 April, it was announced visiting ships would be:
New York City Fleet Week 2025On 24 April, it was announced visiting ships would be:
BaltimoreMaryland Fleet Week is a biennial tradition in Baltimore and is managed by Historic Ships in Baltimore. Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show Baltimore Fleet Week 2018Ships included:
Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show Baltimore Fleet Week 2022
Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show Baltimore Fleet Week 2024Ships included:
PortlandPortland, Oregon includes fleet week as a part of its annual Portland Rose Festival[20] Portland Fleet Week 19361936 was the first Fleet Week for Portland, although navy ships had visited Portland previously starting in 1892 as part of civic celebrations.[21] Ships included:
Portland Fleet Week 1937Ships included:
Portland Fleet Week 1938Ships included:
Portland Fleet Week 2011Ships included:
Portland Fleet Week 2012Ships included:
Portland Fleet Week 2013For 2013 all Fleet Weeks were canceled due to budget issues Portland Fleet Week 2014Ships included:
Portland Fleet Week 2015Ships included:
Portland Fleet Week 2016Ships included:
Portland Fleet Week 2017Ships included:
Portland Fleet Week 2018Ships included:
Portland Fleet Week 2019Ships included:
Portland Fleet Week 2022Ships included:
Portland Fleet Week 2023
SeattleSeattle, Washington includes fleet week during the annual Seafair. Seattle's Fleet Week was an outgrowth of its "Golden Potlatch" event that started in 1911. The Golden Potlatch was suspended in 1914, but was revived in 1934 as the "Seattle Potlatch of Progress and Fleet Week". This Fleet Week included a number of U.S. Navy ships. Seattle Fleet Week 2018Ships included:
Seattle Fleet Week 2019Ships included:
Los AngelesThe USS Iowa (BB-61) museum hosts Fleet Week at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro. Inaugurated in 2011 as Los Angeles Navy Days, it was rebranded as L.A. Fleet Week in 2016. Los Angeles Navy Days 2011July 29- August 1, 2011, San Pedro, CA. Ships included: Los Angeles Navy Days 2012August 17–20, 2012, San Pedro, CA. Ships included: Los Angeles Navy Days 2013
Los Angeles Navy Days 2014August 8–10, 2014, San Pedro, CA. Ships included: Los Angeles Navy Days 2015August 7–9, 2015, San Pedro, CA. Ships included: Los Angeles Fleet Week 2016September 2–5, 2016, San Pedro, CA. Ships included: Los Angeles Fleet Week 2017September 1–4, 2017, San Pedro, CA. Ships included:
Los Angeles Fleet Week 2018August 31-September 3, 2018, San Pedro, CA. Ships included:
Los Angeles Fleet Week 2019August 30–September 2, 2019, San Pedro, CA. Ships included:
Los Angeles Fleet Week 2020
Los Angeles Fleet Week 2021
Los Angeles Fleet Week 2022May 27–30, 2022, San Pedro, CA. Ships included: Los Angeles Fleet Week 2023May 26–29, 2023, San Pedro, CA. Ships included: Los Angeles Fleet Week 2024May 22–27, 2024, San Pedro, CA. Ships included:
Los Angeles Fleet Week 2025May 23-26, 2025, San Pedro, CA. Ships will include:
New LondonNew London, Connecticut sometimes includes Fleet Week as a part of the Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival. New London Fleet Week 2017Visiting ships included: New London Fleet Week 2018Visiting ships included: New London Fleet Week 2019Visiting ships included:
New London Fleet Week 2024Visiting ships will include: NorfolkNaval Station Norfolk opens to the public and conducts ship tours during its Norfolk Fleet Fest.[22] Norfolk Fleet Fest 2018Participating ships included:
Norfolk Fleet Fest 2019Participating ships included: Norfolk Fleet Fest 2020
Norfolk Fleet Fest 2021
Norfolk Fleet Fest 2022
Norfolk Fleet Fest 2023Participating ships included: San DiegoSan Diego annually hosts Fleet Week. San Diego Fleet Week 2003San Diego Fleet Week 2004San Diego Fleet Week 2005San Diego Fleet Week 2006San Diego Fleet Week 2007San Diego Fleet Week 2008San Diego Fleet Week 2009San Diego Fleet Week 2010San Diego Fleet Week 2011
San Diego Fleet Week 2012San Diego Fleet Week 2013
San Diego Fleet Week 2014San Diego Fleet Week 2015San Diego Fleet Week 2016San Diego Fleet Week 2017San Diego Fleet Week 2018San Diego Fleet Week 2019San Diego Fleet Week 2020
San Diego Fleet Week 2021San Diego Fleet Week 2022San Diego Fleet Week 2022San Diego Fleet Week 2023San Diego Fleet Week 2024
BostonBoston occasionally hosts Fleet Week as a part of larger events and sometimes as a part of their annual Marine Week. Boston Fleet Week 2012Ships included:
Boston Fleet Week 2017Ships included:
New OrleansNew Orleans, though usually as a part of Navy Week, typically has naval vessels take part annually. New Orleans Navy Week 2022Ships included: MiamiMiami Fleet Week 2024
Other citiesFleet Week and similar traditions in other cities include:
Other countriesKiel WeekThe German city of Kiel annually hosts Kiel Week, largely a sailing event, warships usually take part and open to the public in the same manner as Fleet Week. Vancouver Fleet Weekend 2022The city of Vancouver, British Columbia hosted Fleet Weekend for the first time in 2022. Visiting ships were:[25]
Vancouver Fleet Weekend 2024Visiting ships included: Halifax International Fleet Week 2023The city of Halifax, Nova Scotia hosted its first fleet week in September 2023. Visiting ships were:
Halifax International Fleet Week 2025Immediately after Operation Cutlass Fury 2025, an ASW operation off the coast of Nova Scotia, three of the participants docked in Halifax for fleet week. It involved a Navy band, multiple ceremonies, a dragon boat race, rugby match, and 37 kilometres (23 mi) bike race starting at CFB Shearwater. Visiting ships were: Rendez-vous naval de Quebec 2024Quebec City will host its fleet week from July 4–7, 2024. Visiting ships will be: See alsoReferences
External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fleet Week.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
