After a week of tours, leadership engagements and community relations events, Navy Week New Orleans has finally come to an end with the departure of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), April 25.

Navy Week New Orleans provided an opportunity for the citizens of New Orleans to meet and interact with Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. More than 20,000 people toured the five ships that participated in the celebration.

"It was an honor and privilege having our service members participate in Navy Week New Orleans," said Rear Adm. Brad Skillman. "The sea service belongs to the American people so this was a great opportunity to educate the public on our capabilities by showing them our ships and allowing the community to interact with our service members."

The celebration also allowed service members a chance to explore and experience the rich culture that only the Crescent City can offer.

Along with Kearsarge, Navy Week New Orleans also allowed citizens to tour a U.S. Coast Guard ship, a Canadian navy ship and a French navy ship.

Some of the highlights from the celebration included ship arrivals, a welcoming event hosted by Mayor Mitch Landrieu, the Mayor of New Orleans, ship tours, 14 performances by the Commander Navy Region Southeast Band and the Marine Forces Reserve Band, receptions aboard all participating ships, community relations projects and two fireworks displays.

The celebration also coincided with the city's tricentennial celebration.




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

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