Tampa, Florida, will host America's Navy during Tampa Navy Week, May 7-13, with a week long series of community and outreach events.

Tampa 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 Tampa Air Fest featuring the Navy's flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels. The Navy Week will bring Sailors from USS Constitution, Navy Band Southeast, the U.S. Navy Parachute Team, 'The Leap Frogs' and Navy Recruiting District Miami. In addition, reserve Sailors who live and work in the Tampa area at the Navy Operational Support Center will also participate.

"Our Sailors are extremely excited to visit the Tampa Bay area and showcase just a small portion of our Navy's capabilities to the American public," said Lt. Cmdr. Brett Dawson, lead planner for the Navy Week. "The pride and professionalism they'll display is just a snapshot of the larger U.S. Navy force that stands ready daily to carry out our nation's work across the globe."

They Navy week's flag host will be the Commander of Navy Region Northwest, Rear Adm. Gary Mayes, who will participate in various ceremonies and meet with local business, civic and educational leaders during the week including throwing out the first pitch at the Rays game against the Atlanta Braves May 9.

"Navy events like Tampa Bay Navy Week are important because they are a fun way to share with the community what the Navy does for our country," said Mayes. "Navy Week also provides a great opportunity for kids to learn about careers in the Navy 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, give my thanks for their support and maybe even inspire someone to consider a career in Naval aviation."

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.

"As the home to MacDill Air Force Base for 70 years, Tampa has deep and strong military roots that have shaped the course of this great city," said Mayor Bob Buckhorn. "We couldn't be more proud to host Navy Week and welcome the great men and women of the U.S. Navy and their families to enjoy all Tampa has to offer."

Multiple music groups from Navy Band Southeast are scheduled to perform at various sporting events, public and high school concerts, the air show, opening for the Florida Orchestra, and many more events.

"Our goal is for the great people of Tampa Bay to connect with the smiling faces of our motivated Sailors who represent those that are defending our freedom around the world, around the clock," said Master Chief Todd Smeltzer, assistant director, Navy Band Southeast. "Our talented Sailors are super excited to be a part of Navy Week Tampa Bay and look forward to meeting the warm, military-friendly, people of the Tampa Bay area."

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.

In addition, Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group will participate in events throughout the week, including a SCUBA dive at the Florida Aquarium's Navy Day on May 8, use a robot to deliver the game ball at the Tampa Rays baseball game and interact with kids around the city.

"Tampa Navy Week provides an opportunity for Navy EOD personnel to showcase an array of skills and equipment in a non-Navy setting," said Lt. Kristi Fontenot, public affairs officer of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2. "EOD personnel are deployed around the globe, and being able to interact with people who might not be familiar with the EOD mission is really rewarding. The team is excited to bring a bit of the Navy to Tampa and really experience what the city has to offer."

Tampa Navy Week is the fourth of only 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. It provides a visible example of the Navy the nation needs.


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