FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Francis Zamora, Department of Emergency Management 415-760-8735
San Francisco, CA – Today, San Francisco announced the return of Fleet Week to the Bay Area from October 6 to October 13. This year’s events will include the return of the Blue Angels airshow, parade of ships, and the commissioning of the Navy’s newest ship, the U.S.S. America.
“San Francisco is a city that welcomes and salutes our service members in the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard,” said Mayor Edwin M. Lee. “Fleet Week is not only a time when we pay tribute to our women and men in uniform, but it is also an opportunity to improve the way we provide humanitarian assistance and educate ourselves about disaster preparedness.”
Fleet Week returns after 2013 activities were cancelled by the federal government shutdown. The popular Blue Angels airshow is scheduled for Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12. On Friday, October 10 the Fleet Week Parade of Ships will sail into the San Francisco Bay beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. The USS America, the lead ship of America-class amphibious assault ships, will be commissioned on Saturday, October 12.
“The Navy is proud to have a strong relationship with the City of San Francisco,” said Rear Admiral Patrick Piercey, Commander of Carrier Strike Group Nine. “We look forward to our ships and Sailors returning for Fleet Week this year so everyone in the Bay Area can see their Navy first hand.”
As Fleet Week has grown, so has its mission. Since 2010, Fleet Week has helped local first responders and military service members prepare for and respond to emergencies, which may take place in the Bay Area and around the world. Joint activities include urban search and rescue training, medical trauma training, and a senior leaders seminar. As a precursor to Fleet Week, more than 150 officials from federal, state, and local governments and the military took part in an interactive table top training exercise today focused on military support in response to a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on the San Andreas Fault.
“Our road to recovery begins long before the ground starts shaking,” said Anne Kronenberg, Executive Director of San Francisco’s Department of Emergency Management. “Fleet Week exercises encourage us to work together so we can quickly restore services critical to getting San Francisco back on its feet.”
The United States Navy Third Fleet and 1st Marine Expeditionary Force are sending units to the San Francisco Bay Area for Fleet Week. In addition to exercising with local first responders, Sailors and Marines learn valuable skills that are applied when the United States responds to disasters around the globe.
“We are only a small part of a much larger picture. Everyone from the City to the State of California to FEMA have worked closely together to prepare for the next Big Quake. However, we know we bring a unique and powerful capability to the people of San Francisco in the event of a disaster,” said Brigadier General Joaquin F. Malavet, Commanding General, First Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
Fleet Week became an annual event in 1981 with millions of residents and visitors celebrating San Francisco’s long history of naval service and maritime tradition.
“Fleet Week is the most important fun you’ll have all year,” said Lewis Loeven, Executive Director, San Francisco Fleet Week Association. “We’re excited to bring this family-friendly event back to the San Francisco Bay Area.”
For more information on San Francisco Fleet Week events and activities visit www.fleetweeksf.org
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