In May of this year, New York City will once again welcome the annual Fleet Week, where thousands of military personnel from the United States and allied countries will gather. The event will take place from May 22 to May 28, giving citizens and visitors the opportunity to get up close with various types of naval vessels and experience military culture.
Fleet Week activities will kick off on May 22 (Wednesday) with a spectacular fleet parade in the waters near Staten Island and Manhattan. A series of events will follow until May 28. The theme of this year’s event is “Celebrating Those Who Serve,” honoring the men and women who have served in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
Rear Admiral Wesley McCall mentioned on the official Fleet Week website that through the various activities of Fleet Week, people can show their respect to those servicemen and women who sacrifice for national security and the protection of the American way of life. He also emphasized that this event is an important moment to pay tribute to those who are currently serving and defending freedom.
One of the highlights of this year’s Fleet Week is that citizens and visitors will have the opportunity to visit multiple domestic and foreign naval vessels for free. Here are some details:
Manhattan, Pier 88 South:
Date: Open to the public on May 25 (Saturday); from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Vessel: USS Bataan (LHD 5), an amphibious assault ship from Norfolk, Virginia.
Manhattan, Pier 90 North:
Date: Open to the public on May 25 (Saturday); from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Vessels: German Baden-Württemberg-class frigate FGS Baden-Württemberg (F-222) and German Berlin-class replenishment ship FGS Frankfurt (A-1412).
Manhattan, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86:
Daily public tours; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Vessels: Four U.S. Naval Academy Yard Patrol boats from Annapolis, Maryland and the Bay-class icebreaking tugboat USCGC Sturgeon Bay (WTGB-109) from Bayonne, New Jersey.
In addition to naval vessel tours, Fleet Week will feature various interactive displays, music performances, and family-friendly activities throughout the week, enhancing the public’s understanding of the military and providing a platform for direct interaction with servicemen and women.
New York City’s Fleet Week activities will be held at various locations across the city, particularly in Manhattan and Staten Island at multiple piers. For more information about Fleet Week, including vessel tour times and locations, you can visit the official event website: https://tinyurl.com/yc5p956u.