Waco, Texas, is the place to be from April 2-8 if you want to know more about the Navy the nation needs, as the service has planned a series of outreach events called Waco Navy Week.

Waco Navy Week will bring Sailors from different units across the United States to conduct focused outreach events with members of the community in conjunction with the Heart of Texas Airshow featuring the Navy's flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels. The Navy Week will bring Sailors from USS Constitution, Navy Band Southwest, the U.S. Navy Parachute Team, 'The Leap Frogs' and Navy Recruiting District San Antonio. In addition, reserve Sailors who live and work in the Waco area at the Navy Operational Support Center will also participate.

"Navy Weeks give a unique opportunity to expose the community to the Navy the nation needs and its Sailors," said Lt. Cmdr. Brett Dawson, Navy Office of Community Outreach's event planning department head. "Waco Navy Week provides a chance for people to see America's Navy up close."

The Navy week's flag host will be the Chief of Naval Air Training, Rear Adm. James Bynum, a Waco native, who will participate in various ceremonies and meet with local business, civic and educational leaders during the week.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to connect my Navy family with my hometown community," said Rear Adm. James Bynum. "It is a particular honor for me to be a part of Navy Week Waco. The people in the heart of Texas have great pride in their military and I look forward to sharing some of the Navy's capabilities, telling our story, and introducing our Sailors to the city of Waco. I know it's going to be a great time."

In partnership with corporate, civic, government, education, media, veterans, community service and diversity organizations in the city, the Navy Office of Community Outreach has coordinated several events throughout the area.

Multiple musical groups from Navy Band Southwest are scheduled to perform at various Waco venues including: McLennan Community College, Armstrong Browning Library and Museum, and Mayborn Museum Complex.

Sailors from USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat, and a ship that actively defended sea lanes against global threats from 1797 to 1855, will come dressed in uniforms from the 1800s to provide educational interactions about the ship's history and current activities to numerous schools in the area.

The culmination of Waco Navy Week will be the Heart of Texas Airshow highlighted by the Blue Angels, who are celebrating their 72nd anniversary of flying excellence.

"We are thrilled to bring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels to Waco," said Debby Standefer, president and CEO of the Heart of Texas Airshow. "Only a few air shows in the country receive this honor and we are so proud to share this patriotic opportunity with the people of Central and North Texas. To have a Navy Week taking place the week prior to the air show, an event only 14 cities nationwide lucky enough to receive this year, has not only brought tremendous excitement for the City of Waco, but for the Heart of Texas Airshow."

Waco Navy Week is the 2nd 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 more information and a full schedule of events, visit http://www.outreach.navy.mil.

Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/navyoutreach and www.twitter.com/navyoutreach.

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For more news from Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO), visit www.navy.mil.