The city of Houston and the U.S. Navy announced the lineup of ships for the first-ever Fleet Week Houston.
The event
Fleet Week Houston will bring U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard vessels to the Port of Houston on April 15-22. During that week, the public will have the chance to meet and engage with service members, learn about the ships’ roles in national defense and take ship tours.
Participating ships include:
- USS Kearsarge (LHD-3): an assault ship designed for multipurpose operations, including troop transport and aircraft support
- USS Minneapolis-St. Paul (LCS-21): a littoral combat ship optimized for operations in near-shore environments with high speed and agility
- USS Cooperstown (LCS-23): a littoral combat ship sharing the same advanced capabilities for coastal missions
- USCGC Edgar Culbertson (WPC-1137): a fast response cutter equipped for a range of missions, including search and rescue, law enforcement and port security
Houston Mayor John Whitmire said the city is excited to welcome Fleet Week.
“It’s a chance for Houstonians to meet the men and women who serve our country and to show our appreciation for their dedication and service,” Whitmire said. “I encourage everyone to tour the ships and enjoy the activities connected to Fleet Week Houston, as we welcome members of the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.”
What else?
Originally, Fleet Week was set to be Nov. 5-12, but it was postponed due to the government shutdown last year, according to city officials.