San Francisco Fleet Week Concludes

From Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs

SAN FRANCISCO (NNS) -- San Francisco Fleet Week 2014 (SFFW 14) came to an end Oct. 13 after thousands of people came out to visit with America's sea services.

The six-day long event included nearly 25,000 guests from the Bay Area who had the opportunity to tour Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) and the Navy's newest Amphibious Assault ship USS America (LHA 6).

SFFW 14 also included performances by the Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team, multiple performances by the Navy Band Southwest, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief displays at The Marina Green Park, and the traditional Italian Heritage Day parade where Sailors proudly marched down the street as they were cheered on by thousands of people.

SFFW 14 also included a Senior Leadership Symposium, which illustrated cooperation between the sea services and civil authorities. The two-day event brought together leaders from the military along with local, regional, state and federal agencies, and the private sector to discuss their capabilities to respond to a natural disaster in the Bay Area.

The highlight of SFFW 14 was the commissioning of USS America, during which an overwhelming turnout of guests attended to watch the fourth ship of its name become the newest edition to the fleet.

"We are so grateful to the people of San Francisco, and I know all of our Coast Guardsman, Marines, Sailors and Canadian partners will join me in thanking this city for such a warm welcome back into San Francisco," said Vice Adm. Kenneth Floyd, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet. "It has been a fantastic opportunity to continue the conversation with the people that own these ships."

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Eastern Pacific from the West Coast of North America to the international date line and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.