U.S. Navy Sailors chart their course for Louisville, Kentucky, as they prepare to be hosted by the city during Louisville Navy Week Aug. 20-26, coinciding with the Kentucky State Fair.

"Louisville Navy Week is an opportunity for the community to see their Navy up close, and to make sure that happens, the Navy contributes as much as possible for approximately 75 events that have been planned throughout the city," said Ian Lundy,  Navy Office of Community Outreach's (NAVCO) lead planner for Louisville Navy Week.

Navy Week Flag Hosts Vice Adm. Raquel C. Bono, director, Defense Health Agency Medical Corps, and Rear Adm. Michael E. Jabaley, program executive officer for submarines, will have the honor to participate in various ceremonies and meet with local business, civic and educational leaders during the week.

“Navy events such as the Louisville Navy Week are fun and interactive ways to share what the Navy does for our country with a number of different communities,” said Vice Adm. Bono. “Navy Week also provides a great opportunity for youths to learn about warfighting, STEM-related and other career paths that the Navy has to offer by allowing them to interact with Sailors, hear about their jobs, and find out what they like about being in the Navy. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet members of the community, extend my personal thanks for their support and perhaps even inspire someone to consider a health care career in the Navy.”

Several outreach events have been coordinated with corporate, civic, government, education, media, veteran affairs, community service and diversity organizations in the city. Sailors from the Navy’s U.S. Fleet Forces’ Bands, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group Two, Strike Fighter Squadron 213, USS Kentucky and Navy reserve and recruiting assets will be participating throughout the week.

The U.S. Fleet Forces’ Bands are scheduled to play several performances at multiple locations in Louisville throughout the week, including performances at the Rob Rex Veteran Affairs Medical Center, multiple Jefferson County Schools, Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Kentuckiana, University of Louisville, Louisville Slugger Field and the Kentucky State Fairgrounds.

“At Fleet Forces Band we are excited to visit the beautiful city of Louisville as they host one of only 14 Navy Weeks happening across the nation in 2018,” said Musician 1st Class Patrick Cotter, U.S. Fleet Forces Band outreach coordinator. “We perform hundreds of concerts each year, and now we'll be bringing our music to Louisville at locations throughout the city, where we'll meet people and tell the story of the Navy and the Nation.  Keep an eye out for us at the Kentucky State Fair and be sure to come talk with us.  We can't wait to meet you!”

Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group Two will also be participating by meeting with people and conducting interactive demonstrations at multiple locations throughout the week.

"The explosive ordnance disposal force is thrilled and honored to be part of Louisville Navy week," said Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group Two Command Master Chief Jeff Barnes. "In the heart of our country, Louisville is full of patriotic Americans who may have never seen or interacted with Sailors, let alone explosive ordnance disposal technicians. This Navy week is a great opportunity for the Navy and the EOD force to tell our story to the public. EOD technicians will be in schools discussing robotics and how they use STEM on missions, which will give the people of the area the opportunity to get up close and see something that our Sailors do every day."

Sailors from the Navy’s Ohio-class submarine USS Kentucky are also scheduled to participate in Louisville’s Navy Week by attending a proclamation ceremony at Metro Hall as well as many school and extracurricular clubs.

Louisville’s warm welcome to the Navy promises for a week of events and activities that all should remember long after the Navy Week has concluded.

Louisville Navy Week is the 10th of 14 Navy Weeks in 2018 that focus a variety of assets, equipment and personnel on a single city for a week-long series of engagements designed to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects.

For a full schedule of events visit http://outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Louisville/

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