Navy Week sails into Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (June 8, 2009) Sailors assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 based in Little Creek, Va., dive in the Tennessee Aquarium saltwater tank during a Chattanooga Navy Week event. Chattanooga Navy Week is one of 21 Navy Weeks planned across America in 2009. Navy Weeks are designed to show Americans the investment they have made in their Navy and increase awareness in cities that do not have a significant Navy presence. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gary Ward/Released)
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (June 8, 2009) Sailors assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 based in Little Creek, Va., dive in the Tennessee Aquarium saltwater tank during a Chattanooga Navy Week event. Chattanooga Navy Week is one of 21 Navy Weeks planned across America in 2009. Navy Weeks are designed to show Americans the investment they have made in their Navy and increase awareness in cities that do not have a significant Navy presence. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gary Ward/Released)

Navy Week events

› MONDAY6-7 a.m.: The U.S. Fleet Forces Band’s brass band ensemble will perform in-studio at WDEF TV, Channel 12.10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: Sailors from the U.S. Navy’s Oceanography and Meteorology command will have displays at the Chattanooga Aquarium IMAX.5:30-6:30 p.m.: The U.S. Fleet Forces Band’s brass band ensemble will perform a one-hour concert at the Bessie Smith Strut.› WEDNESDAY5-6 p.m.: The U.S. Fleet Forces Band’s ceremonial band ensemble will perform a one-hour concert at the Riverbend Festival main entrance.8:30 p.m.: The U.S. Navy will participate in the Military Appreciation Night festivities on the Coke Stage at Riverbend Festival.› THURSDAY10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Diver personnel will perform a dive at the Tennessee Aquarium.5-6 p.m.: The U.S. Fleet Forces Band’s ceremonial band ensemble will perform a one-hour concert at the Riverbend Festival main entrance.5:30-8:30 p.m.: The Creative Discovery Museum will host a Navy Night as part of their Free Family Night. The U.S. Navy will have a variety of displays and sailors from around the world, showcasing the service’s capabilities as the real-world application of STEM. Participating groups include USS Constitution Sailors, Navy Oceanography and Meteorology Command, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Teams and Navy divers.› FRIDAY5-6 p.m.: The U.S. Fleet Forces Band’s brass band ensemble will perform a one hour concert on the Riverbend Festival Unum Stage.› SATURDAY12:30-1:30 p.m.: The U.S. Fleet Forces Band’s brass band ensemble will perform a one-hour concert at the River Market at the TN Aquarium.5-6 p.m.: The U.S. Fleet Forces Band’s brass band ensemble will perform a one hour concert on the Riverbend Festival Unum Stage.>Source: U.S. Navy

Chattanooga Navy Week will sail into town this week for a weeklong celebration that will bring sailors from units around the world to meet with members of the local community in a targeted outreach campaign.

"Our sailors are extremely excited to visit Chattanooga and showcase just a small portion of the Navy the nation needs to the American public," said Lt. David Carter, lead planner for Chattanooga Navy Week. "The pride and professionalism they'll display is just a snapshot of the larger U.S. Navy force that stands ready daily to carry out our nation's work across the globe."

The event, which takes place June 11-17, is being held in conjunction with Riverbend to increase exposure for the navy units attempting to share their story about what the U.S. Navy does around the world. Sailors will hold a series of community service events with organizations like the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and the Ronald McDonald House.

The event will be led by Navy Week senior representative and Memphis-native Rear Adm. Paul Pearigen, commander. He will speak at venues and organizations throughout the city, visit medical facilities, interview with local media and take part in Riverbend's Military Appreciation Night.

"It's an honor to participate in Chattanooga Navy Week and be able to share Navy Medicine's role in keeping the Navy and the Marine Corps family healthy, ready and on the job," Pearigen said.

The local event is one of 14 Navy Week celebrations taking place in the U.S. this year. The U.S. Fleet Forces Band and brass band Uncharted Waters are scheduled to perform.

The Tennessee Aquarium will host Navy Day Thursday, June 14, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A team of Navy divers will dive into the aquarium's tanks to feed fish, clean the habitats and will interact with aquarium visitors. Thursday night, visiting units will attend the free family night at the Creative Discovery Museum.

Contact staff writer Mark Pace at mpace@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659. Follow him on Twitter @themarkpace and on Facebook @ChattanoogaOutdoors.

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