Portland Rose Festival Fleet Week Wraps Up

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

PORTLAND, Ore. (NNS) -- Portland Fleet week in conjunction with the 108th annual Rose Festival came to an end June 7 after thousands of people visited with America's and Canada's sea services.

The four-day event attracted thousands of citizens from around the Portland area who had the opportunity to experience how America's and Canada's sea services work together to protect the maritime interest of both nations.

This partnership was exemplified when Canada recognized the crew of the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) in an official awards ceremony aboard the Royal Canadian ship HMCS Calgary (FFH 335) for the crew's actions during HMCS Protecteur's fire that occurred on Feb. 28, 2014 as the ship was operating in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of responsibility serving as the oil replenishment ship. The fire occurred during the ship's transit back to Esquimalt, British Columbia.

Portland welcomed Sailors and Coast Guardsmen who were treated to the sights, sounds and hospitality of the city. Sailors participated in local community relations projects and events, including a visit to a local Veterans Affairs hospital, the 108th annual Rose Festival Parade and greeted more than 5,000 ship tour visitors of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71), the mine countermeasure ship USS Champion (MCM 4) along with four Royal Canadian ships and two U.S. Coast Guard ships.

Sailors also engaged with the local community and enjoyed premier events of the festival including live music, food and entertainment.

"We want to offer a special thank you to the citizens of Portland for being such gracious hosts," said Vice Adm. Kenny Floyd, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet. "The outpouring of support we felt from the community was overwhelming."

Navy warships have been coming to the City of Roses since USS Charleston's visit in 1907.

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.