Navy Band Kicks Off Albuquerque Navy Week

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jesse L. Dick, Navy Office of Community Outreach

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (NNS) -- Area Sailors kicked off Albuquerque Navy Week with a rousing performance from Navy BandSouthwest, "The Destroyers" at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Oct. 2.

The Destroyers will continue to play free performances throughout the community and at the Balloon Fiesta performing Top 40, classic rock hits, Motown, country, funk and jazz.

Sailors representing Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Phoenix, Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Albuquerque and the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) will spend the next week participating in various community events in Albuquerque.

Albuquerque Navy Week runs through Oct. 9 and will include civic, corporate and educational engagements attended by Assistant for Administration to the Secretary of the Navy, Carla E. Lucchino and Deputy Director, Concepts and Strategies for Information Dominance, Rear Adm. Michael W. Broadway.

"We've brought a lot of great people to Albuquerque, a lot of active duty, reserve and civilian folks," said Lucchino. "I want to talk about the Navy as a, 'Global Force for Good,' and explain to people all the great opportunities in the Navy and our contributions to the national defense."

Officers and Sailors are scheduled to participate in various community and corporate events including visits to the Joy Junction Homeless Shelter and the University of New Mexico Children's Hospital. Other events will have Sailors showcasing their culinary expertise in a televised chili cook-off contest, and later a visit to the Ronald McDonald House. The week culminates in performances by the Navy Parachute Team, "Leap Frogs."

"It's very important to get the Navy word out," said Lucchino. "We are the American people's Navy, and we want them to know what we do. We want them to know we're under the water, on the water and above the water."

Albuquerque Navy Week is one of 21 Navy Weeks being held across America in 2011. For regularly updated information and a schedule of events, visit the Albuquerque Navy Week website at http://www.navyweek.org/albuquerque2011/.

High-resolution photos from previous Navy Week celebrations including Navy Band photos, and information about the Centennial of Naval Aviation are available at the website.