Oklahoma City, known as "the Big Friendly", is scheduled to host members of the U.S. Navy during Oklahoma City Navy Week, Sept. 18-24, a week-long series of community outreach events.

During Oklahoma City Navy Week, Dr. William Burnett, Deputy Commander and Technical Director to the Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command/Task Group and Command Master Chief Delbert Terrell, Jr., Deputy Director of the Navy's Senior Enlisted Academy will serve as senior representatives. They will meet with corporate, civic, education and government leaders throughout the week in an effort to increase awareness of the Navy, its mission and the importance of the Navy to the people of Oklahoma City.

"You don't have to live near a coast to be impacted by the important work of our Navy, and it is a distinct pleasure to share that mission in my home state," said Burnett, who will be addressing Oklahoma City's Rotary Club during the week. "This region goes all out to support its service members, and I'm proud to be a part of a week celebrating the relationship between the Navy and the people of Oklahoma."

Historically, Navy Week events draw thousands of attendees to participate and create a dialogue between Sailors and local residents. The events are designed to raise awareness about the Navy in areas that do not have a large naval presence.

"Our Sailors are extremely excited to visit Oklahoma City and showcase just a small portion of our Navy's capabilities to the American public," said Lt. David Carter, 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."

Some of the major highlights during the week include the Navy's presence at the Oklahoma State Fair, which will include a kick-off event, several concerts by Navy Band Southeast and Navy Recruiting Command's virtual reality experience, where participants will be able to conduct a SEAL extraction mission.

Citizens of Oklahoma City will have a chance to interact with Sailors during the week at various public events and even hear from some of their own native Oklahomans. Both Burnett and Terrell have ties to the area and Navy Week provides the unique opportunity to bring them and other hometown personnel back, further strengthening the connection between the Navy and Navy Week city.

"First of all, I am honored and humbled to be a part of Oklahoma City Navy Week," said Terrell. "Oklahoma took care of me for the first 19 years of my life and provided me with the foundation to respect others and to truly uphold the Golden Rule. For the last 28 and a half years, the Navy has continued to shape me to take care of people, the ability to accomplish any mission or task, as well as helping to further my education through the University of Oklahoma. No one is successful by themselves, there are too many people for me to thank and having this opportunity to pay it forward is humbling as well as motivating."

During Navy Week, Sailors will be participating and assisting in community relation projects with Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, and The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center.

Oklahoma City Navy Week is one of only 15 Navy Weeks in 2017 that focus a variety of assets, equipment and personnel in a single city for a weeklong 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 www.outreach.navy.mil.

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