Mayor Jackie Biskupski signed a proclamation Sept. 11, at the Utah State Fair officially starting Salt Lake City Navy Week 2017.

Sailors from USS Constitution, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1, the Navy's Parachuting Team - the Leap Frogs, and Navy Recruiting District Denver are in Utah's capital city to demonstrate some of the Navy's capabilities and fortify the connection between residents and its Navy.

Navy Weeks are designed to increase awareness of the Navy's mission and capabilities by showing Americans who live in cities that do not have a significant naval presence the resources and skills of the Navy. During the week sailors also have an opportunity to give back to the myriad communities that support them by providing manpower to local charitable outreach efforts.

"The great people of Utah don't have much interaction with the Navy or the Sailors that make up our naval force," said Rear Adm. Moises Del Toro III, deputy commander for Undersea Warfare Naval Sea Systems Command. "I just want to thank them for welcoming us and allowing us to show them what the Navy does for them even in this landlocked state. I look forward to getting out into the community and meeting and talking to people about the Navy."

Sailors will interact with the community through demonstrations at local schools and businesses as well as a booth at the Utah State Fair featuring a virtual reality simulation to allow civilians a first hand look at life as a Sailor.

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