'Parade of Ships' kicks off Fleet Week in New York City
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Fleet Week New York 2024 officially kicked off Wednesday morning with the ceremonial Parade of Ships.
NewsCopter 7 was overhead as the first of more than a dozen ships entered New York Harbor, passing the Statue of Liberty, Fort Hamilton, and One World Trade Center as they arrived in Manhattan.
Nearly 2,300 military personnel are expected to participate in the weeklong tradition.
Sam Champion reported live aboard the USS Bataan for "Eyewitness News This Morning" and "Good Morning America" -- He even arrived by helicopter.
This year marks the 36th edition of this annual event. The theme is "Fleet Week New York...Celebrating Those Who Serve."
The fleet will be in town through next Tuesday, the day after Memorial Day, offering ship tours, aviation demonstrations, military band performances, and interactive displays.
"Fleet Week is about celebrating those who serve and recognizing the unyielding strength of our Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard team," said Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Rear Adm. Wesley McCall in a statement on the official Fleet Week website. "As we come together to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice during their service, we are reminded of the diverse and inclusive fighting force that is currently serving to protect national security and preserve our way of life."
Here are the ships participating this year:
- Amphibious assault ship: USS Bataan (LHD 5) from Norfolk, Virginia
- Baden-Württemberg-class frigate: FGS Baden-Württemberg (F-222) from Germany
- Berlin-class replenishment ship: FGS Frankfurt am Main (A-1412) from Germany
- Four U.S. Naval Academy YPs, Annapolis, Maryland
- Bay-class cutter: USCGC Sturgeon Bay (WTGB-109) from Bayonne, New Jersey
- Freedom-class littoral combat ship: USS Marinette (LCS 25) from Mayport, Florida
- Legend-class cutter: USCGC Calhoun (WMSL-759) from Charleston, South Carolina
- Keeper-class coastal buoy tender: USCGC Katherine Walker (WLM-552) from Bayonne, New Jersey
For details on when and where to tour the vessels, interactive displays, military band performances and more, visit: www.fleetweeknewyork.com.
Fleet Week New York runs through May 28.
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