US Ships Arrive FT Lauderdale, FL for Fleet Week

Introduction:

Greetings to all our members and subscribers! We at Americans for a Stronger Navy are thrilled to share the latest news from the 32nd Fleet Week Port Everglades in Southeast Florida. This event is an excellent opportunity for Southeast Florida residents to witness and tour Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships. We believe that promoting Peace Through Strength is crucial, and events such as Fleet Week Port Everglades provide an excellent platform to showcase the capabilities of the US Navy.

PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. (April 23, 2023) Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) watch as the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Indiana (SSN 789) arrives in port for Fleet Week Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. This year marks the 32nd Port Everglades Fleet Week. Fleet Week has been hosted by Broward Navy Days and other military support organizations since 1990, interrupted by COVID in 2020 and 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zachary D. Behrend)

The USS Cole, a US Navy destroyer commissioned in 1996, arrived first at the 32nd Fleet Week Port Everglades, followed by the USS New York, USS Indiana, and USNS Newport on April 23. The USCGC William Flores will arrive the following day. Over 9,000 reservations were taken for the Monday through Saturday tours, indicating the event’s popularity. The Navy Band will perform at over 15 venues in the city, including at the Florida Panthers’ playoff game and the Miami Marlins’ game.

Community Engagement

“We look forward to being in Port Everglades to spend time with the outstanding citizens of South Florida,” said Rear Adm. Tom Williams, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group TWO. The ships’ crew and servicemembers will be volunteering at various locations across Fort Lauderdale, including mentoring and visiting with students from several area schools, helping refurbish areas around the Naval Air History Museum, visiting veterans at a senior facility, and supporting youth fitness at two separate YMCA events.

Educational Initiatives

On Monday, more than 800 JROTC students from Broward County Schools will visit the ships as part of a Fleet Week STEM summit, followed by 300 JROTC cadets from Miami on Tuesday morning as part of the youth VIP tours. In addition to the ships, equipment displays, Marine and Navy recruiting information, and Navy environmental programs will be available for visitors to see as they wait for their tours.

Events and Competitions

The Sailors will participate in a series of other events, including an all-hands welcome ceremony involving the mayor, a salute to veterans event and a salute to women in the military, a traditional chili cook-off against local fire and police teams, and a Damage Control Olympics competition. The latter will pit teams of Sailors from each ship and the USCG against each other through a series of challenging events at a damage control trainer.

Key Takeaways:

The 32nd Fleet Week Port Everglades is an excellent opportunity for Southeast Florida residents to witness and tour Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships.
More than 9,000 reservations were taken for the Monday through Saturday tours, indicating the event’s popularity.
The event provides an excellent platform to showcase the capabilities of the US Navy and promote Peace Through Strength.
In addition to the ships, equipment displays, Marine and Navy recruiting information, and Navy environmental programs will be available for visitors to see.
The Sailors will participate in a series of other events and competitions, including an all-hands welcome ceremony, a chili cook-off, and a Damage Control Olympics competition.
The servicemembers will be volunteering at various locations across Fort Lauderdale, including mentoring and visiting with students from several area schools and visiting veterans at a senior facility.

Conclusion:

We hope that the news of the 32nd Fleet Week Port Everglades has inspired you to learn more about the capabilities of the US Navy and its commitment to promoting Peace Through Strength. We encourage our readers to be an active supporter by subscribing to our website, StrongerNavy.org. We thank you for your time and for supporting a Stronger Navy