Fleet Week 2023 has officially kicked off in the Big Apple with the ceremonial Parade of Ships, as thousands of servicemen and women from the US Navy, US Marines Corps and US Coast Guard stand at attention aboard the pride of the US Navy.
More than a dozen ships from the US Navy, US Coast Guard, US Naval Academy, Italian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Navy entered New York Harbor on Wednesday morning past the Statue of Liberty, Fort Hamilton and One World Trade Center, on Wednesday morning, spectators near and far in delight.
Nearly 2,400 military personnel will participate in Fleet Week.
The parade, which began at 7:30 a.m., included a ceremonial flyover of military aircraft welcoming the arriving ships and an eleven-gun salute at Fort Hamilton dubbed “Salute to the Ships of Fleet Week,” after the flagship, the USS Wasp, as the ship passes.
“The U.S. Navy is excited to be back in New York to demonstrate how the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard provide us with an advantage at sea,” Vice Admiral Christopher S. Gray, Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic ( CNRMA) said in a press release.
At this year’s FWNY, three NATO allies – Britain, Italy and Canada – have joined the festivities.
Preserving our military advantage and maintaining the rules-based international order depends on strong integration with our collective force, allies and partners. We operate and train together and it is an honor to have them with us for this celebration,” the release read.
“New York is always an incredible host and we can’t wait for all the brave men and women serving our country, and those of our allied guests, to experience all the city’s offerings.”
Military men and women watch from the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum as ships and planes arrive into New York Harbor on Wednesday as the 35th annual Fleet Week kicks off May 24, 2023 in New York City. Nine ships, including one each from Italy, the United Kingdom and Canada, paraded into New York Harbor for the start of the annual event featuring public ship tours, ceremonies and naval and military educational events
Servicemen and guests watch from the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum as the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship from Norfolk, Virginia, arrives in New York Harbor on Wednesday to kick off the 35th annual Fleet Week on May 24, 2023 in the city of New York
Sailors and military personnel disembark their ships as the aircraft carrier USS Wasp, seen in the background, docks on the Hudson River during Fleet Week, Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in New York
Some of the events for Thursday include the Fleet Week Freedom Run through downtown Manhattan. The 1.7-mile footrace was created to honor the victims of 9/11 and America’s fallen heroes.
The Lincoln Park Marine Corps aviation event featuring a landing of US Marines for FWNY to showcase helicopters and military vehicles in Lincoln Park, Jersey City, New Jersey. There will be performances by the Quantico Marine Corps Band, Silent Drill Platoon. A great photo opportunity for visitors.
The New York City Bagel Challenge featuring four Navy and Navy culinary specialists, followed by the America’s Vetdogs event in the USO Pop-Up at Pier 88 for photo ops, belly rubs, and ear scratches.
And the Times Square ceremonial guard will perform live every half hour.
U.S. sailors and Marines stand on the deck of the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship, as it passes the Statue of Liberty during Fleet Week on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 in New York
Sailors and Marines line the deck of the USS Wasp, a US Navy amphibious assault ship, as it sails into New York Harbor and near the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge during the parade of ships to kick off ‘Fleet Week 2023 in New York City, USA, May 24, 2023
The 35th annual Fleet Week, a seven-day celebration in honor of the United States Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps, began May 24, 2023 in New York City. Nearly 2,400 military personnel will participate in Fleet Week
Sailors and Marines line the deck of the USS Wasp, a US Navy amphibious assault ship, as it sails past Lower Manhattan in New York Harbor during the parade of ships to kick off New York’s ‘Fleet Week 2023’ City, USA, May 24, 2023.
The USS Cole, a guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy, sails past Manhattan during the parade of ships to kick off “Fleet Week 2023” in New York City, U.S., May 24, 2023
Twelve participating ships include the USS Wasp (LHD 1), an amphibious assault ship from Norfolk, Virginia; the USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), a dock landing ship from Norfolk, Virginia; the HMS Scott (H131), an ocean research vessel from Plymouth, United Kingdom; the ITS Virginio Fasan (F 591), a frigate from La Spezia, Italy.
The HMCS Glace Bay (MM 701), a maritime coastal defense vessel from Nova Scotia, Canada, and the USCGC Warren Deyampert (WPC 1151), a fast response cutter from Boston, Massachusetts, will also be present.
Four Yard Patrol Vessels (YPs) from the US Naval Academy of Annapolis, Maryland; the USNS Newport (T-EPF 12), an expeditionary express transport from Norfolk, Virginia; the USS Cole (DDG 67), a guided-missile destroyer from Norfolk, Virginia; and the DCV Gelberman, a US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) drift recovery ship from New York.
In addition, a Fireboat 343, a New York City Fire Department Ranger 4200 class fireboat from New York, and a Tall Ship Clipper City, a gaff-rigged schooner operated by Manhattan By Sail of New York.
The annual event — now in its 35th year — has been held in New York City since 1984, with the exception of 2020 and 2021, when the in-person event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and held virtually on social media.
Before that, the event was last canceled in 2013 due to federal budget cuts.
A host of free events taking place Wednesday through May 30, including general public tours, aviation demonstrations, military band performances, and interactive displays throughout the tri-state area.
Some of these activities that the public is encouraged to participate in include the ship tours that will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through May 29 at Piers 88 and 90 in Manhattan and Staten Island Homeport Pier, with the exception of Sunday, May 28 , due to cruise ship movement along Pier 88.
Visitors can enjoy boat tours of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, along Pier 86, which run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This year, CNRMA is the lead planning organization for FWNY and regional coordinator for all naval personnel and ashore activities in the Mid-Atlantic region, which includes 20 states, 14 installations and 50 naval reserve centers.
“It is an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet U.S. sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, in addition to Canadian, Italian and Royal Navy service members, while witnessing firsthand the latest capabilities of the contemporary maritime services.’
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