Missed Fleet Week?
Missed Fleet Week?
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento airplane crash attorney. Over one million visitors came to San Francisco between 7 October and 9 October to participate in San Francisco’s annual Fleet Week festivities. This year’s events included air shows, free tours of historic and active U.S. Navy ships, art exhibits, and so much more.
What is Fleet Week?
Fleet Week is an annual event that both honors U.S. servicemen and servicewomen while also serving as an opportunity for military and civilian organizations to train and prepare for humanitarian operations. San Francisco held its first Fleet Week activities in 1981 and they have since grown into an iconic event.
While most people think of Fleet Week as only air shows and crowds, it also serves as a vital training opportunity for civilian and military personnel in the area of Northern California.
Fleet Week as a Major Humanitarian Assistance Training Opportunity
During Fleet Week, the approximately 6,000 members of the armed forces brought to the city and various local civilian agencies create a “Humanitarian Assistance Village.” In this “village,” they are able to test and train their own capabilities while also showing the public what the government and nongovernmental organizations really do in times of emergency around the world.
Military Exhibition Events During Fleet Week
The military exhibition aspects of Fleet Week began on 6 October, the day before the official start of the event, with the Blue Angels flying patterns over the city of San Francisco. These flights continued through the entire weekend, with the roaring engines echoing between the buildings.
The Parade of Ships began on the morning of 7 October. The ships entered under the Golden Gate Bridge and were open for tours during the entire weekend. This year’s Parade of Ships included the USS Mobile Bay, USS San Diego, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, and the HMCS Calgary.
The Veteran’s Art Exhibit also ran all weekend, with the U.S. Marine Corps 1st Division Band and its High School Band Challenge underway nearby.
Fleet Week’s Spillover into Sacramento
Many of the aircrews that participated in Fleet Week practiced for the air show during the week prior in the Sacramento area. Many Sacramento County residents and people in the vicinity of Beale Air Force Base and McClellan Airfield were likely treated to the same Blue Angels and Golden Knights display as San Francisco. Additionally, many members of the flight teams could be seen around the city during the days leading up to the event.
Fleet Week a Rousing Success Once Again
Fleet Week was once again a rousing success, filled with education and fun. With a large economic impact for the Bay Area and a strong tradition, Fleet Week will likely be back in San Francisco next year. We hope to see you there!
Sacramento Airplane Crash Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento airplane crash attorney. If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in an accident, please call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly and no-obligation advice.
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Photo Credit: By Brian Wright from Cupertino, USA via Wikimedia Commons
:KW