THE TENSION: More Images from Fleet Week 2007

NEW YORK (May 28, 2007) – Service members and civilians hold the flag in a gesture of unity during the 2007 Memorial Day Ceremony at the New York Central Park Summer Stage. The ceremony coincided with the 20th annual Fleet Week New York. Fleet Week honors the service and sacrifice of all of our Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as the city of New York, in the global war on terrorsim. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gabriela Hurtado (RELEASED)

NEW YORK (May 28, 2007) - Thousands of New Yorkers line up to tour amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 (HMM-365) helicopters as part of the festivities for Fleet Week. The 20th annual Fleet Week New York City provides an opportunity for citizens of New York City and the surrounding Tri-State area to meet more than 3,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, May 23-31. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth R. Hendrix (RELEASED)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (May 28, 2007) - From left, guided-missile frigate USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29), guided-missile cruisers USS Hue City (CG 66) and USS San Jacinto (CG 56), and guided-missile destroyers USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) are moored as part of Fleet Week. The 20th annual Fleet Week New York City provides an opportunity for citizens of New York City and the surrounding Tri-State area to meet more than 3,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, May 23-31. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth R. Hendrix (RELEASED)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (May 26, 2007) - Sea service members and Staten Island locals laugh at comments made by the master of ceremony during a Sunset Parade aboard guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66), as part of the festivities for Fleet Week. The Sunset Parade honors the lowering of the ensign at sunset. The 20th annual Fleet Week New York City provides an opportunity for citizens of New York City and the surrounding Tri-State area to meet more than 3,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth R. Hendrix (RELEASED)

NEW YORK (May 27, 2007) - Sailors and Marines assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) and guided missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) march in the annual Masapeth Memorial Day parade in Queens, New York during Fleet Week New York City 2007. While in New York during the 20th annual Fleet Week, nearly 3,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are participating in Memorial Day parades, volunteering with local community organizations, and experiencing the hospitality of the city. Fleet Week honors the service and sacrifice of all of our Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as the City of New York, in the Global War on Terror. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Petty Officer 1st Class Michael W. Pendergrass (RELEASED)

NEW YORK (May 27, 2007) - Members of the "Silver Dolphins" color guard, precision rifle and flag drill team participate in a Sunset Parade on the flight deck of naval amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). The team is composed entirely of Naval Submarine School Sailor students. The 20th annual Fleet Week New York is the opportunity for New Yorkers to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen and thank them for their service. Fleet Week honors the service and sacrifice of all of our Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as the City of New York, in the Global War on Terror. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ricardo J. Reyes (RELEASED)

NEW YORK (May 24, 2007) - Two Sailors from guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) talk to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at the official Mayoral New York City Fleet Week Welcome at Gracie Mansion. The Navy’s six ships participating in this year's Fleet Week are: USS Wasp (LPD 1), USS Hue City (CG 66), USS San Jacinto (CG 56), USS Winston Churchill (DDG 81), Oscar Austin (DDG 79) and USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29). This is the 20th anniversary for the annual New York City Fleet Week. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Tackitt (RELEASED)

NEW YORK (May 25, 2007) - Detective Glenn A. Hoffmann, a helicopter pilot assigned to New York Police Department Aviation Unit, Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, New York, gives a tour of their facility to Sailors from USS Wasp (LHA 1), USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) and USS San Jacinto (CG 56). Sailors and Marines are visiting New York City in support of Fleet Week 2007. The 20th annual Fleet Week New York is the opportunity for New Yorkers to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen and thank them for their service. Fleet Week honors the service and sacrifice of all of our Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as the City of New York, in the Global War on Terror. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael W. Pendergrass (RELEASED)

20th Annual Fleet Week New York Ships Out
5/30/2007
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Riza Caparros

NEW YORK (NNS) -- The annual Fleet Week New York came to a close May 30 as ships began departing from the Big Apple.

Berthed at Staten Island’s Stapleton Pier, USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) departed first and was followed by USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), USS San Jacinto (CG 56), USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29) and USS Hue City (CG 66) at half hour intervals. USS Wasp (LHD 1) was underway from Manhattan Pier 90 by mid-morning.

The 20th annual Fleet Week New York saw more than 76,000 visitors this year, with an estimated 47,000 visiting Manhattan’s Pier 90 and 29,000 people visiting Stapleton Pier.

While in town for Fleet Week New York, Sailors and Marines were treated to the sights, sounds and hospitality the ‘city that never sleeps’ extended to them.

Fleet Week New York 2007 is the 20th annual event of its kind. This year there was a presence of six Navy ships, including multipurpose amphibious assault ship Wasp moored at Manhattan’s Pier 90, and guided-missile cruisers Hue City and San Jacinto, guided-missile frigate Groves, guided-missile destroyers Churchill and Oscar Austin, and Coast Guard Cutter Katherine Walker moored at Staten Island’s Stapleton Pier.

Lt. j.g. Luke Vogel, information warfare officer on board Churchill said Fleet Week is great for the Sailors.

“It's definitely increasing morale,” said Vogel. “There's a day-to-day life on the ship and that can get very tedious. This is very important for morale in general, to get out in the community and do some events that are more relaxed than heaving lines and other shipboard operations.”

Manhattan resident Matthew Sheller said the military presence in town is good for the city.

“I think it's encouraging having the [Sailors and Marines] here in town,” said Sheller. “I think sometimes New York needs a rejuvenation of American spirit.”

Community relations events were among the activities Sailors and Marines could participate in during Fleet Week. Project Hope, a church-sponsored organization providing resources, counseling and food to inner-city children and their families, hosted an event that gave Sailors a chance to get involved with the local community.

“I think it's really important for [the Sailors] to integrate themselves in a community and see a little bit more of the world,” continued Vogel. “It's good for them to get exposed to other areas of the country, and it’s really good for the public to see a positive side of the military.”

Other events bringing the Sailors out into the community included a softball tournament with participating elements from all the Fleet Week ships. Good-natured sports competitions among ships’ crews, Marines, New York Police Department and Fire Department members are always among the Fleet Week events. At the culmination of athletic competition, the Fisher Cup is awarded. This year’s winner was Wasp.

Other Fleet Week festivities included trips to national television shows such as Late Show with David Letterman and Good Morning America. Landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and bus tours of the city were offered free of charge to those service members who visited them in uniform during Fleet Week.

Wasp Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Fuels 3rd Class Ludwin Salazar said he was surprised by the warm reception he’s received from the locals.

“Before 9/11 happened, I didn’t think New York was a very pro-military place,” said Salazar. “But now I can feel the appreciation the people of New York feel for the armed forces and for the sacrifices we’ve been making while we’re fighting the war.”

“I’ve spent my off-duty days getting to know the city,” continued Salazar. “I did a lot of walking around, seeing the sites at Ground Zero. I went to the Statue of Liberty and ate at some great restaurants.”

Service member and New York native Chief Intelligence Specialist (AW/PJ) Lawrence Brown, from the Office of Naval Intelligence, said it gave him a great sense of pride having the Navy in his hometown.

“This is my home,” said Brown. “It's nice to see the welcoming response from the people of the city. So to my shipmates, I say, ‘welcome to my backyard.’”