Georgia's capital and most populous city will host the world's largest Navy during Atlanta Navy Week, Oct. 26 through Nov. 1.

Navy Weeks 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.

The events and special programs to take place throughout Atlanta are the culmination of planning and preparation over many months, by the Navy Office of Community Outreach, multiple Navy assets, and Atlanta community leaders.

"Our goal during Atlanta Navy Week is to raise the level of knowledge and awareness of how the Navy serves the American people," said Lt. j.g. James Adams, lead planner for Atlanta Navy Week. "Outreach programs like Navy Weeks are extremely important to ensure people outside fleet concentration areas have the opportunity to connect with their Navy."

Atlanta Navy Week will kick off Monday, Oct. 26, at the Georgia Aquarium and will include STEM activities; performances by Navy Band Southeast; discussions with Sailors from the guided missile submarine USS Georgia; as well as divers and explosive ordnance disposal technicians from the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2.

"The Navy Divers and EOD technicians participating in Atlanta Navy Week are excited to bring their stories to the people of Atlanta," said Lt. Liza Dougherty, Public Affairs Officer, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2. "People who come out to see us are blown away. Our displays are hands on; you can play tic-tac-toe with a diver, try on a bomb suit or drive a robot."

Navy Divers and EOD Technicians will be involved in several community outreach events throughout the week including STEM educational activities at Atlanta Public Schools and the Fernbank Science Center.

"Navy Diving and Explosive Ordnance Disposal have unique, amazing jobs, and they're stationed throughout the world, a very small percentage of the overall Navy," added Dougherty. "To give the American public an opportunity to interact with these Sailors and see what they do, up close and personal, brings that worldwide experience right to each city during Navy Week."

In addition to EOD Sailors, members from the state's namesake, USS Georgia (Gold) will be doing volunteer work, to include outreach with Habitat for Humanity and the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Sailors will also be visiting students at local public schools to discuss the Navy's mission.

"The connection that our boat has with its namesake, the state of Georgia, cannot be overstated. We have a great relationship with our namesake and take great pride in the connection we share," said Master Chief Laurel Price, Chief of the Boat on Georgia (Gold). "Atlanta Navy Week is a fantastic opportunity for our crew to show support for the great state it is named after, and it allows us to represent Kings Bay at a large-scale event."

Also, Vice Adm. Matthew Nathan, Surgeon General of the Navy, Rear Adm. Chris Sadler, Reserve Deputy Director, Maritime Operations U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and Senior Executive Service Steffanie Easter, Executive Director, F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office, will meet with businesses, health and civic organizations, and government officials to discuss the Navy's impact on Georgia's economy and residents.

Atlanta Navy Week will conclude at the Great Georgia Airshow, Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 at the Atlanta Regional Airport in Peachtree City. The airshow will feature the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels and a skill showcase by the Navy parachute team, the Leap Frogs.

Atlanta Navy Week is the twelfth and final Navy Week in 2015.

For a complete schedule and more information about Atlanta Navy Week, visit www.navyoutreach.org.


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