With its first local Sea & Air Parade since 2008, the Navy showed locals its gratitude Saturday. But who do San Diegans thank for the Fleet Week extravaganza?
A member of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Brass Band serenades strollers at Harbor Island Park. Photo by Chris Stone
That would be Vice Adm. Nora Tyson.
According to Navy spokesman Brian O’Rourke, Tyson, the first female commander of the 3rd Fleet, said: “You know what? We need to do a Fleet Week like it should be done, this year.”
Said O’Rourke: “And that’s what you see what you see today.”
Thousands lined San Diego Bay in perfect weather to watch ships, helicopters and all manner of aircraft (including a hovercraft) proceed in a slow and stately convoy south through San Diego Bay — reviving a tradition dating to 1935.
In front of Harbor Island Park, the Coast Guard put on a search-and-rescue demonstration. Another copter showed how its “Bambi bucket” scooped up 420 gallons at a time to fight fires.
The Marines pulled aquatic donuts with a Landing Craft Air Cushion Vehicle (slogan: “No beach out of reach”) while 1st Class Petty Officer Jason Thompson of the USS San Diego — a DJ and boatswain’s mate — gave details via loudspeaker at Harbor Island.
He invited bystanders to tell why they had come. One woman from Canada thanked the U.S. Navy for its role in defending both countries.
The Royal Canadian Navy returned the favor by showing off the HCMS Winnipeg — a guided-missile frigate that also does anti-submarine duty.
USS America leads the Sea & Air Parade into San Diego Bay. Photo by Chris Stone
O’Rourke, the veteran media relations officer for Navy Region Southwest, explained why the traditional Sea & Air Parade was absent eight years.
Two reasons, he said Saturday.
“The first was — we were operationally stretched very thin,” he said. “Not only the boats, but the personnel. Our budget was also stretched very thin. So it was just logistically and operationally impossible to do it after 2008.”
Making up for lost time, the Navy showed off some revelations — including an unmanned vessel undergoing two years of testing as a submarine killer.
On shore, a nine-member Marine band played killer Dixieland jazz.
The Miramar-based 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Brass Band led by Staff Sgt. Kevin Odess entertained at Harbor Island Park before and after the 2-hour parade.
“Yeah, that was awesome,” a woman yelled after one set.
Not far away, the Peel family of La Mesa set up camp and watched the kids wave flags on sticks. Mollie, 9, Ellie, 8, and Sophie, 4, did their patriotic duty as hundreds of sailor stood at attention on flight and other decks.
A variety of warplanes, including F/A-18E and F jets flew over San Diego Bay. Photo by Chris Stone
O’Rourke, the spokesman, cheered the event he helped plan with the Fleet Week committee.
“We wanted to make it a real Fleet Week — pack those activities in an actual week,” he said. “It has more impact if it’s just a week. I think we’ve achieved that.”
O’Rourke noted that people see ships in the bay and military aircraft in the sky every day.
“People have military in their neighborhoods,” he said. “Their kids go to school. The military is here. We all know that. But I think we kind of take that for granted — because we’re so used to it.
“But what’s the Navy’s mission? What does the sailor who lives next door — what does he do? How does that contribute to the defense of the country? Same thing with the Marines.”
So Fleet Week is a “really great way to show a whole lot of our assets at one time,” he said, also noting ship tours and exhibits at the B Street and Broadway piers.
“People can talk to the sailors: What do you do? What’s your job? … They can really get an understanding of what our troops do every day.”
The military has vehicles, weapons and supplies on display on the Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego. Photo by Chris Stone
The Navy shows dentistry equipment in their mobile medical units. Photo by Chris Stone
This portable medical equipment can keep a serviceman medically stable during flights to a hospital. Photo by Chris Stone
An x-ray technician shows their equipment to help with diagnosing in war. Photo by Chris Stone
Brett Thorton, a Navy Corpsman explains how trauma units are set up quickly in battle and save many lives. Photo by Chris Stone
The public can tour Navy ships this week. Photo by Chris Stone
Kate Newcomb tries out a “really cool” 36-pound surface to air weapon on the Broadway Pier. Photo by Chris Stone
Members of the public looked at weapon replicas on the Broadway Pier. Photo by Chris Stone
Marines are ready to tell civilians about the motor on Broadway Pier. Photo by Chris Stone
Navy ships are docked at the Embarcadero for Fleet Week. Photo by Chris Stone
A Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) glides across the bay as it churns up the water. Photo by Chris Stone
A Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) glides across the bay as it churns up the water. Photo by Chris Stone
Sofie Peel, 4, of La Mesa waves an American flag with delight during the Sea and Air Parade. Photo by Chris Stone
The USS Pinckney, a destroyer, sails into San Diego Bay. Photo by Chris Stone
A MH-60S Explosive Ordinance Disposal helicopter was part of the Sea dn Air Parade. Photo by Chris Stone
The Coast Guade demonstrated a search and rescue operation. Photo by Chris Stone
Orange smoke shows the helicopter pilot where the person who needs to be rescued is. Photo by Chris Stone
A Coast Guard diver show flares that are used to signal the helicopter. Photo by Chris Stone
The Coast Guard demonstrates a rescue as people in pleasure boats look on. Photo by Chris Stone
The HSC-3 helicopter pilot demonstrates how fire buckets are filled. Photo by Chris Stone
A HSC-3 pilot demonstrates how water would be released on a fire. Photo by Chris Stone
The E-2C Hawkeye is part of a U.S. Navy Command and Control Squadron. Photo by Chris Stone
The KC-130J Super Hercules is a Marine Aerial Refueler Transport plane. Photo by Chris Stone
The Coast Guard Cutter Sherman was par of the Sea and Air Parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Ellie Peel, 8 (left) and sister Molly of La Mesa wave flags as ships pass. Photo by Chris Stone
The USS Sterett enters San Diego Bay in 2016. Photo by Chris Stone
A person on a pleasure boat photographs military personnel on the bay. Photo by Chris Stone
The ACTUV (Anti-Sumarine Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel) Sea Hunter demonstrated its capabilities Photo by Chris Stone
The ACTUV (Anti-Sumarine Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel) Sea Hunter demonstrated its capabilities Photo by Chris Stone
A MH-60S flies near a vessel. Photo by Chris Stone
An Explosive Ordnance Disposal activiity was demonstrated. Photo by Chris Stone
F/A-18 planes flew over the bay. Photo by Chris Stone
The USS Champion is used for mine sweeping vessel. Photo by Chris Stone
The crew of the USS America line the ship’s perimeter. Photo by Chris Stone
The USS America acts as the flagship of an expeditionary group or amphibious ready group. Photo by Chris Stone
A MH-60R Battlecat flies the American flag at the beginning of the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
The USS America led the Sea and Air Parade during Fleet Week 2016. Photo by Chris Stone
A couple relax on the bay before the parade and send soap bubbles into the air. Photo by Chris Stone
Members of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Brass Band entertain the crowd. Photo by Chris Stone
A drummer with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Brass Band entertains the crowd. Photo by Chris Stone
The USS America sails into the San Diego Bay. Photo by Chris Stone
A F-35B Lightning II flies high over San Diego Bay. Photo by Chris Stone
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