"Forest City" will host the world's greatest Navy during Portland Navy Week August 21 through 27 with a weeklong series of community and outreach events.

The Blue Angels will conduct an aerial show at former Naval Air Station Brunswick that weekend on August 26 through 27.

Portland Navy Week is designed to give area residents an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity.

"This is our first time coming to Portland and conducting a Navy Week," said Mr. Gary Ross, lead planner for Portland Navy Week. "The excitement level is building with the people of Portland, and it's going to be a great week to showcase what America's Navy does on a daily basis."

Rear Adm. Mark R. Whitney, director of fleet maintenance, U.S. fleet forces command, will meet with corporate, civic and government leaders throughout the week, including Portland Mayor Ethan K. Strimling.

"Having a Fleet Week in Portland is important to me because it is an opportunity to continue building on communications, understanding, and relationships between the area and the Navy," said Whitney. "The common bond between us has been and will always be our connection to the sea. The naval history with Maine goes way back to the first battle of the Revolutionary War. The connection with Portland is also significant in particular with the support provided to the Navy during World War I and World War II."

Whitney has personal ties to the city of Portland.

"I was born in 1961 and lived in South Portland from 1964 to 1984, essentially my entire life until joining the Navy after graduation from Maine Maritime Academy," said Whitney. "My mother, Linda Johnson, was a resident of South Portland for over 50 years and served as the first woman Mayor of South Portland from 1985 to 1986. My stepfather, Birger Johnson, was elected to the Maine State House of Representatives for South Portland in the 117th Legislature from 1994 to 1996. My father, Richard Whitney, was in the U.S. Naval Reserves and served onboard the USS TILLS and lived in the Greater Portland Area for 40 years. My paternal grandfather, Perley Whitney, was a ship welder and foreman at the South Portland Shipbuilding, Corp. during World War II; he subsequently became a lobsterman in Cape Porpoise."

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.

"We're honored to have been chosen to host a Navy Week celebration this year," said Portland Mayor, Ethan K. Strimling. "As a coastal city with a rich history for its working waterfront, Portlanders have a real affinity for the sea and the jobs that it provides. I'm delighted that residents will have this opportunity to learn more about the Navy, its history, and the work that Sailors do across the world."

Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 will participate in events throughout the week, including speaking engagements at local schools and Boys and Girls Clubs. They will also conduct a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) event with students at the Portland Science Center on August 24.

"Portland Navy Week will be the perfect occasion to show the people of Portland what the Navy EOD community is all about," said Lt. Kristi Fontenot, public affairs officer of explosive ordnance disposal group 2. "This is a great opportunity to interact with the community, especially the children, and show them the equipment we use on a daily basis here and abroad."

"The EOD team will be interacting with Portland's kids while at the Portland Science Center, Boys and Girls Club and Camp Sunshine and will participate in a STEM day with the Boy Scouts," she added. "The team will also conduct a training exercise with the Portland Police Department to strengthen our partnership and interoperability."

Navy Band Northeast is scheduled to participate in parades and perform on several stages within Portland. They will hold a pre-game concert at the Portland Sea Dogs baseball game on August 25.

"Navy Band Northeast is excited and proud to participate in Navy Week Portland," said Lt. Joel Borrelli-Boudreau, director of navy band northeast. "This is a great opportunity for our Sailors to perform for the local community, instill patriotism and build new relationships. We have a variety of outstanding musical groups which will present free concerts during the week. Audiences young and old will be entertained; there's something for everyone."

Also, Sailors from USS Constitution and Navy Recruiting District New England will attend and participate in several community outreach events, including visits to local schools and Boys and Girls clubs. They will also contribute to a Habitat for Humanity build.

Portland Navy Week is 1 of only 15 Navy weeks in 2017 that focus a variety of assets, equipment and personnel on a single city for a weeklong series of engagements designed to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects.

For information and a full schedule of public events, visit http://www.outreach.navy.mil/.



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

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