Military Bands Perform for Thousands in Times Square

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Isaiah Sellers, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

NEW YORK (NNS) -- Military bands from across the sea services performed for thousands at Times Square in support of Fleet Week New York 2012 and the the Bicentenial of the War of 1812 May 27.

The Navy, Marine and Coast Guard bands performed before a captive audience in one of the heaviest traffic areas of New York City.

Spectators from across the globe traveled to take part in the festivities surrounding Fleet Week.

"We heard the band perform last year and decided that we would not miss it again," said Sara Baynum, a spectator from North Carolina. "They played beautifully."

The U.S. Navy New Orleans Jazz Band, Quantico Marine Corps Band and Coast Guard Dixieland Band caught the attention of wandering tourists and drew them in to the festivities.

"We came to New York to celebrate our three-year marriage anniversary. We heard the music from three blocks over and decided to come over and see where it was coming from," said Douglas Fagan, a native of Chicago.

The joint efforts of each sea service's band provided entertainment to citizens that normally would not have had the opportunity to experience.

Held nearly every year since 1984, Fleet Week New York is the city's celebration of the sea services. Fleet Week New York provides an opportunity for the citizens of New York City and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as see, first-hand, the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. More than 6,000 service men and women from the U.S. and coalition nations will arrive aboard the ships.

This year, Fleet Week New York is one of the signature events around the country commemorating OpSail 2012, the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner.

The commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 is a salute to all Sailors and Marines who fought gallantly in that conflict, who served in all our nation's conflicts since then, and who are defending freedom around the world today.

For more information, visit the official Fleet Week New York City Web site at www.fleetweeknewyork.com or find "Fleet Week New York" on Facebook.

Mets Host Military Appreciation Day at Citi Field

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Karen Blankenship, Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Norfolk

NEW YORK (NNS) -- The New York Mets and the USO hosted the fifth annual Military Appreciation Day on Memorial Day May 28 at Citi Field as part of Fleet Week New York 2012.

Held nearly every year since 1984, Fleet Week New York is the city's celebration of the sea services.

Fleet Week New York provides an opportunity for the citizens of New York City and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as see, first-hand, the latest capabilities of today's maritime services.

Adm. Tim Alexander, commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, who threw the first pitch.

"Today we're at Citi Field and they're throwing a big party for us for Military Appreciation Day here with the Mets," said Alexander.

The game opened with a performance by the USO Liberty Bells, followed by the National Anthem performed by the U.S. Navy Band Northeast.

The Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 15 from Naval Air Station Oceana, homported in Virginia, flew over the field at the end of the Star-Spangled Banner. Several service members and Delayed Entry Program members also recited the Oath of Enlistment before the start of the game.

At the end of the third inning the Mets welcomed veterans by recognizing the veteran of the game.

"Thank you to New York for having us, and thank you to the Mets for giving us awesome seats and letting us meet all the players in the dugout," said Marine Corporal Ronald Smith of 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, Bravo Company, who was the veteran of the game. "We're getting treated like celebrities and it doesn't happen very often, so it's been great."

More than 6,000 service men and women arrived aboard the ships for Fleet Week New York. This year, Fleet Week New York is one of the signature events around the country commorating OpSail 2012, the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 an the Star-Spangled Banner. The commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 is a salute to all Sailors and Marines who fought gallantly in that conflict, who served in all our nation's conflicts since then, and who are defending freedom around the world today.

For more information visit the official fleet Week New York City web site at www.fleetweeknewyork.com or find "Fleet Week New York" on Facebook.

Navy Band Provides Show-Stopping Performance in the Bronx

By Mass Communication Specialist First Class Isaiah Sellers, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

NEW YORK (NNS) -- U.S. Navy Brass Band Northeast performed for the Madison Square Boys & Girls as a part of the 25th celebration of Fleet Week New York (FWNY) and the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, May 23.

The band performed for an audience of more than 250 children and staff at Columbus Clubhouse located in Bronx, N.Y.

The band provides musical support for moral and community relations programs all while partnering with education programs throughout 11 states.

"We love attending performances at events such as this," said Crystile Carter, a ten year Boys and Girls Club member and 2012 New York Citizen of Year award recipient. "Being a part of the Boys and Girls Club has given me the opportunity to attend events like this that are geared to keep kids motivated to do better and give back to their community."

A captivated audience showed their excitement and appreciation by leaving their seats and dancing and singing to the music performed by the band.

"Being able to perform in venues such as this is an honor. It allows us the opportunity to showcase the Navy in a way that the public doesn't get a chance to see too often," said Musician First Class Eric Snitzer, a member of Navy Band Northeast. "To see the excitement and smile on their faces gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment."

There are more than 55 Navy Band performances scheduled to take place in support of FWNY 2012. The band is slated to perform at various Boys and Girl Club events and parades though out New York and Times Square.

This year, approximately 6,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are participating Fleet Week events which will continue through May 29.

Held nearly every year since 1984, Fleet Week New York is the city's celebration of the sea services. Fleet Week New York provides an opportunity for the citizens of New York City and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as see, first-hand, the latest capabilities of today's maritime services.

This year, Fleet Week New York is one of the signature events around the country commemorating OpSail 2012, the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner.

The commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 is a salute to all Sailors and

Marines who fought gallantly in that conflict, who served in all our nation's conflicts since then, and who are defending freedom around the world today.

For more information, visit the official Fleet Week New York City Web site at www.fleetweeknewyork.com or find "Fleet Week New York" on Facebook.

US 7th Fleet Band Mentors Misawa Air Base Students

By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Daniel Sanford, U.S. Naval Air Facility Misawa, Japan Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (NNS) -- Members of U.S. 7th Fleet Band visited Misawa Air Base and helped mentor local elementary school orchestra members March 8.

The Band's Shonan Brass Quartet spent the afternoon with Sollars Elementary School students, and offered assistance as the children prepare for the school's upcoming spring concert.

The quartet is in Misawa to perform for a retirement ceremony, but decided to maximize their stay in Misawa by helping out young musicians, and by also performing a free, evening concert for Misawa-area residents.

"We always enjoy playing up here in Misawa, but we really enjoy working with the kids, and it definitely keeps us on our toes," said Musician 2nd Class Tony Smouse, a member of the U.S. 7th Fleet Band, who also worked as a music teacher prior to enlisting in the Navy. "I think it definitely prevents us from slacking on our fundamentals, so when we teach children the importance of good posture and good breath support, we have to be a good examples ourselves and reinforce those qualities."

The quartet members worked with the school's fifth and sixth grade orchestra members, and offered advice and encouragement to the students.

"I learned a lot from them," said Sophia Caraballo, a student at Sollars Elementary School, who also attended the concert. "It was fun, and I think it will help us be better musicians in the future."

Sollars Elementary School Music Teacher, Michael Pavlik, said the band's visit will have a lasting impact on the students.

"The kids absolutely loved having the band here," said Pavlik. "They were really, really engaged and it was fantastic to observe.

"During their visit, we broke up the session between fifth and sixth graders," he said. "So after the fifth graders were dismissed, many stayed behind just to listen and learn what the band members had to say to the sixth graders."

Pavlik also said about 90 percent of his students were in attendance for the evening concert, which many found inspirational.

"It was really cool for them to observe musicians of this caliber," said Pavlik. "To be able to hear music played at that level, I think it really helped the kids, and hopefully it will motivate them to continue playing."

Following the concert, Smouse said he was gratified to see the progress the children made, and their enthusiasm for music.

"They were great kids. They were bright and really absorbed the information very quickly," he said. "From the first note they played until we finished, the progress they made was very noticeable."

For more news from Naval Air Facility Misawa, visit https://www.cnic.navy.mil/misawa/index.htm or www.facebook.com/nafmisawa.

Leap Frogs Perform at Greatest Show Off Earth

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By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (PJ) Michelle Turner, Navy Parachute Team Public Affairs

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy parachute demonstration team, the Leap Frogs, performed during the 40th annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, N.M. Oct. 7-9.

The fiesta was the cornerstone event of Albuquerque Navy Week - one of 21 Navy Weeks planned across the United States in 2011.

"Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, nicknamed 'The Greatest Show Off Earth,' drew an estimated 750,000 spectators over nine days," said Don Edwards, event director. "It started in 1972 with just 13 balloons. This year 555 balloons took to the air, including 98 special shapes, from more than 20 countries."

Rain and high wind prevented the balloons from launching Friday, however conditions became favorable by jump time and allowed the Leap Frogs - composed of Navy SEALs and support personnel - to perform.

"We actually felt like [the Leap Frogs] salvaged our day," said Edwards, a U.S. Air Force veteran. "It created a lot of excitement. It was a nice treat."

A Minnesota Air National Guard C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft carrying the Leap Frogs circled high above the park as the jumpers prepared to make their jump. The crowd below waited with excitement and cheered as colored smoke trailed the ramp of the aircraft, which indicated the performance was about to begin. Five black spots appeared in the sky behind the aircraft and moments later those spots turned into blue and gold parachutes.

Each of the Leap Frogs' six performances was different. The first show included single jumpers who flew various Navy flags and trailed smoke. The rest of the jumps from the C-130 included multi-canopy formations that had the crowd clapping and cheering. The Leap Frogs stacked three canopies together and transitioned to a drag-plane, then a down-plane maneuver.

Each jumper was met with thunderous applause from the crowd gathered around the drop zone on the balloon-launch area.

Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Justin Gauny and Special Warfare Operator 1st Class (SEAL) Justin Gonzales made history when they became the first skydivers to jump out of a hot-air balloon during the Fiesta. The balloon, named Cardiac Air-Rest and piloted by Colin Graham, launched from a school upwind of the drop zone. It floated to 3,500 feet above ground level before the jumpers left the pilot alone in his basket.

It took a lot of coordination between the Federal Aviation Administration, air traffic control, balloon pilot Colin Graham, the jumpers and a little luck with the weather, said Edwards.

"Everything came together, the planets lined up, and it worked out to be a perfect morning," said Edwards. "[The jump] was pretty awesome, and it looked like the crowd was pretty excited about it too."

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez attended the fiesta and thanked the Leap Frogs for their service.

"To understand the sacrifice that families make for their loved ones to serve - to allow us to be safe - is very personal to my husband and I," said Martinez whose step son has served with special operations forces as a special warfare combatant-craft crewman in the U.S. Navy for four years. "The patriotism is so enormous in the State of New Mexico. Our National Guard is constantly being called on, whether in Kosovo or out helping to fight fires here in New Mexico. To all of our services, we are so grateful."

Spectators gathered around the jumpers after each performance to ask questions and meet a Navy SEAL face to face. Children helped each jumper pack his parachute.

"I thought it was cool!" said Devon Casados, a seven-year-old boy from Albuquerque. "I want to go parachuting!"

Navy Weeks are designed to show Americans the investment they have made in their Navy and raise awareness in areas that may not have a significant Navy presence. Sailors took part in events across Albuquerque including performances by the Navy Band Southwest "The Destroyers", presentations by Sailors assigned to Virginia-class attack submarine USS New Mexico (SSN 779) and other community relations activities.

The Leap Frogs are based in San Diego and perform aerial parachute demonstrations across America in support of Naval Special Warfare and Navy Recruiting as a "Global Force For Good." The team is composed of parachuting experts from Naval Special Warfare including Navy SEALs, special warfare combatant-craft crewmen, and an NSW parachute rigger, in addition to support personnel.