From Lt. Ian McConnaughey, U.S. Navy Office of Community Outreach
The Big Guava’ hosts Tampa Navy Week March 21-27
By: Lt. Ian McConnaughey, U.S. Navy, Navy Office of Community Outreach
MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) – The U.S. Navy is preparing to bring a Navy Week to Tampa Bay during the week of March 21-27, the third Navy Week of the year and last in Tampa since 2018. If health conditions permit, the Navy will conduct education and community outreach, including taking part in the Tampa Bay Airfest, with the Blue Angels headlining.
Tampa Navy Week will bring between 50 and 75 Sailors from across the nation to volunteer throughout the community and discuss why the Navy matters to Tampa.
Tampa Navy Week will feature in-person demonstrations, performances, and engagements throughout the week that will include:
· Senior Navy Leaders – Rear Adm. Yvette Davids, Chief of Staff, U.S. Southern Command, and senior civilian Navy leaders from U.S. Central Command and others with ties to Tampa and the surrounding area.
· Namesake Sailors – Sailors serving on USS Florida (SSGN 728), an Ohio-class cruise missile submarine.
· Navy Band Southeast – Performances and masterclasses with Navy Musicians.
· Naval History and Heritage Command – Educational presentations and lesson plans about the deep ties between Florida and the Navy.
· USS Constitution – Demonstrations about the oldest and longest commissioned ship in the Navy.
· Navy Expeditionary Combat Command – Educational STEM presentations and fitness demonstrations by technicians, medics, and divers.
· U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard – Precision rifle drill demonstration team.
· U.S. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command – Educational presentations on the importance of atmospheric and oceanographic science and the overall value of STEM education to the Navy.
· Navy Facilities and Engineering Command Southeast - Educational presentations on the importance of environmental stewardship and STEM education to the Navy.
Every Sailor selected to participate in Tampa Navy Week, except those with an approved waiver for health or religious reasons, will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Furthermore, the Navy Office of Community Outreach will work closely with community partners in Tampa Bay and follow guidance from public health officials.
Navy Weeks are the service’s signature outreach program, designed to allow the citizens of Tampa Bay to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity. The Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) coordinates Navy Weeks.
“We are excited to bring the first official Navy Week to Tampa Bay and connect the people of Tampa to their Navy safely and responsibly,” said NAVCO’s director, Cmdr. John Fage. “Tampa Navy Week will allow us to show the people of Tampa what their Navy does for them and why the Navy is important to the city, the state, and the nation. We are excited to spend a week giving back to the city and connecting with those whom we serve.”
Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort to regions without a significant Navy presence, with over 250 Navy Weeks held in more than 80 different U.S. markets. Tampa is the third Navy Week in 2022.
“We coordinate about 75 outreach events during a Navy Week,” said NAVCO Navy Week program manager Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Chambers. “Outreach events range from corporate, civic, government, education, media, veterans, community service engagements. The 2022 schedule is exciting for us because we will be in several brand-new markets, like Tampa Bay.”
For more information on Tampa Navy Week, contact Lt. Ian McConnaughey at (901) 229-5709 or ian.m.mcconnaughey.mil@us.navy.mil<mailto:ian.m.mcconnaughey.mil@us.navy.mil>.
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