Semper Fortis: U.S. Navy Week coming to Montgomery April 1-7

The U.S. Navy announced its signature community outreach initiative is coming to Montgomery, Alabama: Navy Week.

As a week of programming and events sets course for Montgomery, Navy officials hope to give interested Alabamians the opportunity to learn about the branch, meet those who serve, and showcase the Navy’s unique importance to American security.

This will be the first Navy Week ever hosted by Montgomery and the surrounding communities.

“We are thrilled to bring the Navy to Montgomery,” said Navy Office of Community Outreach Director (NAVCO), Cmdr. Anthony Falvo. “Though our Navy is deployed around-the-world and around-the-clock, the Navy Week program allows us to showcase our Navy in places that don’t enjoy an everyday naval presence.”

“Most importantly it affords us the opportunity to highlight our most important asset – the highly skilled men and women of the United States Navy who ensure our war fighting advantage to preserve our American way of life.”

NAVCO Navy Week program manager, Lt. Caroline Ready, spoke about the significance of community outreach.

“Our mission is to connect with the heartbeat of each community and we strive to make a lasting impact on the Sailors, partners, and community members,” said Ready. “We coordinate with corporations, civic and community service organizations, local government, educational institutions, media, and veterans to give the community as many opportunities as possible to engage with their Navy.”

Alabama natives Rear Admiral Charles “Mike” Brown and Command Master Chief, Keith Wilkerson, Jr., will also be traveling to Montgomery to support Navy Week. Both veterans will share compelling stories about their journey through the ranks.

The week will feature in-person demonstrations, performances, and engagements including:

• Senior Navy Leaders – Flag officer and senior civilian Navy leaders with ties to Montgomery and the surrounding area.
• Namesake Sailors – Sailors serving on USS Alabama (SSBN-731), a Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine and USS Montgomery (LCS-8), an Independence-class littoral combat ship.
• Navy Southeast Band – Performances and masterclasses with Navy Musicians.
• Naval History and Heritage Command – Educational presentations and lesson plans about the deep ties between Alabama and the Navy.
• USS Constitution – Demonstrations about the oldest commissioned ship in the Navy.
• Navy Expeditionary Combat Command – Educational STEM presentations and fitness demonstrations by technicians, medics, and divers.
• U.S. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command – Educational presentation on the importance of atmospheric and oceanographic science and the overall value of STEM education to the Navy.

Events scheduled along with their corresponding dates, times, and locations are listed below:

April 1

• 0800-1600 – Nimitz Trailer (Waiting to confirm location)                         
• 0830-1130 – Heart of AL Food Bank/Packing Boxes (521 Trade Center Street, Montgomery, AL) 
• 1000-1400 – AUM STEM Expo/Presentation (Taylor Center)

April 2

• 0800-1630 – Archives and History Museum 
• 0830-1130 – Heart of AL Food Bank/Packing Boxes (521 Trade Center Street, Montgomery, AL) 
• 0900-1200 – Navy Band Southeast – Archives and History Museum 
• 1000-1130 – Story Time/ Public Library (Governor’s Square, 2885 E South Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36116) 
• 1730-TBD – ASU Baseball Game (Game starts at 1800, but fans will want to get there early for Leap Frogs, Ceremonial Guard, Navy Band Southeast – Anthem, and Admiral throwing out the first pitch)

April 3

• 0830-1000 – Heart of ALf oodBank/Mobile Pantry (6000 Monticello Dr, Montgomery, AL  36117)
• 1100-1330 – Humane Society/Walking Dogs 
• 1600-2000 – Navy Night at Mont Whitewater (Leap Frogs, Navy Band, Ceremonial Guard, STEM Assets including: Navy History and Heritage Command, Meteorology Sailors, Navy Divers, Esports Team, and more.)

April 4

• 0800-1630 – Archives and Hist. Museum 
• 0830-1130 – Heart of Alabama Food Bank (521 Trade Center Street, Montgomery, AL) 
• 1300-1500 – Neighborhood Cleanup

 April 5

• 0730-1530 – STEM Hangar Expo (Student Day) 
• Evening – Learning Arts Center/ Jam Session with Navy Band Southeast

April 6

• 0730-1730 – Airshow STEM Expo (Public) 
• 0800-0900 – Navy Band Southeast; Airshow Opening Ceremony 
• TBD-TBD – Blue Angels; Airshow Performance 
• TBD-EOD – Navy Band Southeast; Airshow Day-1 Closing Performance 
• 1500-1800 – Navy Band Southeast; AUM Cultural Festival 
• 1900-2000 – Prattaugan Museum Ceremony

April 7

• 0715-1730 – Airshow STEM Expo (Public)

Navy Week will also coincide with Maxwell Air Force Base’s Beyond the Horizon Air Show which is scheduled for April 6-7:

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.