CADEN HAYNOR / NEWS EDITOR

During this time of year, the U.S. military normally hosts “Fleet Week” at Broadway Pier, an annual event highly anticipated and attended by thousands of San Diegans. This event was canceled preemptively due to the ongoing government shutdown, which began on Oct. 1.

Every year, San Diegans flock to this event, watching fleets of naval ships pass the USS Midway on their way through Coronado Bay. It is a patriotic celebration that looks to honor the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard with various events.

USD sophomore Ben Zabel, a midshipman in the Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC), reacted to Fleet Week’s cancellation.

“I did not know that Fleet Week was cancelled this year,” Zabel said. “I’m sad now that I know it is no longer happening. This is definitely sad for the military people especially.”

This year’s Fleet Week was especially   meaningful  for  the  Navy   community   because   it marks  the   250th  anniversary of the U.S. Navy, which was established by the Continental Congress before the country’s founding.

USD sophomore and NROTC midshipman Brandon Eng talked about the importance of Fleet Week on this anniversary.

“It’s also ironic that they decide to cancel on the 250th anniversary,” Eng said. “In my opinion it’s one of the biggest anniversaries yet and would attract a ton of people and be a huge success for the city of San Diego   and    the    entire Fleet Week.”

Usually, Fleet Week would be celebrated with ship tours, educational outreach and parades around Coronado Bay. Due to the shutdown, the U.S. military branches involved were unable to provide the necessary ships, equipment and personnel for public outreach.

Parades of military sea vessels and flying machines attract large crowds at each Fleet Week. Photo courtesy of @fleetweeksd/Instagram

These resources fund student  STEM  days,  which  had over  5,000  students  signed up  this  year. Some events include a  community breakfast aboard the USS Midway, public ship visits  aboard   a  Navy warship  and  a  Coast  Guard cutter from Alameda and a Veterans and Military boat parade. 

The dates for Fleet Week each year are decided by the host city and the Department of the Navy, depending on annual naval schedules and major anniversaries or events. All of these events would have happened this year from Oct. 30 – Nov. 9, so some San Diegans already signed up to attend certain events before the cancellation. 

Eng expressed his disappointment at Fleet Week being canceled.

“I’m  not sure why they exactly  cancelled  Fleet  Week, but  I  think  it’s  a  rather poor  decision,” Eng  explained.  “Fleet   Week  is  good  because it’s able to   let  the   Navy  and  Marine Corps  build   a  positive  rapport  with  the  public and also recruit.  Recruiting  numbers   are  trending   upscale  and  they  should   aim   to   keep   it   that   way.”

Despite the shutdown, San Diegans looking to celebrate Fleet Week can still attend events hosted by the San Diego Fleet Week Foundation such as the Military Family Day on Nov. 9 and the Enlisted Recognition Luncheon on Nov. 21.

Fleet Week includes multiple community events such as ship tours, educational outreach and parades around Coronado Bay. Photo courtesy of @fleetweeksd/Instagram