Students in New York and New Jersey had a unique opportunity to see U.S. Navy aviation and special operations in action during separate high school visits as a part of 2016 Fleet Week New York (FWNY), May 26.

In front of a crowd of more than 300 Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) cadets and students from Westbury High School in New York, an MH-53 Sea Dragon from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 and two MH-60S Seahawk helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 thundered overhead before slowing to a hover. Four members from Explosives Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 12 then executed a fast rope insertion from 20 feet off the ground.

Once the helos landed and powered-down, the students climbed aboard and took a highly anticipated opportunity to tour the aircraft and talk to the Sailors.

"Today has been perfect, especially for someone like me who loves aviation," said Alex Vazquez, 18, a NJROTC executive officer. "With me joining the Marine Corps to do avionics, being able to see these beautiful birds land is phenomenal."

The aviation demonstration was a culminating event for the cadets who are wrapping up their studies for the school year.

"This event brings it home," said Kevin Bedard, Westbury School District Naval Sciences department head. "The cadets just finished a project on naval aviation where they had to put together a demonstration on the different type aircraft in the Navy/Marine Corps inventory. This event brings it full circle. They get to actually talk to the pilots, see the equipment, and see the aircraft they have been studied and did reports on."

The Sailors then departed for a special event at Paramus High School in New Jersey, where the school's Operation Goody Bag club presented Lt. Cmdr. Seth Saalfied with their 400,000th goody bag, which contain treats and a note of appreciation that the school sends to service members and first-responders.

The club was established shortly after September 11, 2001, and since then, goody bags have been distributed in all 50 states and to 12 countries.

"Operation Goody Bag is something I feel that is so relatable. Everyone can relate to feeling protected by the military, and it is so important to show appreciation," said Angela Zisa, 18, an Operation Goody Bag club member. "There are never enough thank you's we can give to our military and first-responders. I can never say thank you enough times."

FWNY, now in its 28th year, is the city's time-honored celebration of the sea services. It is an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. The weeklong celebration has been held nearly every year since 1984.

For up-to-date information on all FWNY events, visit the official FWNY website at www.fleetweeknewyork.com, "Like" FleetWeekNewYork on Facebook, or "Follow" @FleetWeekNYC on Twitter. FWNY photos can be viewed on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/fwnypao and Instagram at www.instagram.com/fleetweeknyc. Join the conversation on social media by using #FleetWeekNYC.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Mid Atlantic, visit www.navy.mil/.