Bluegrass Military Affairs Coalition Online

Navy Week 2006

Louisville Navy Week 17-22 Apr 06

The biggest city on the water in the Commonwealth was taken over by the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and U.S. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve. Kentuckians witnessed the potency and professionalism of the U.S. Sea Services in joint operations.

Strategy for the invasion began in Dec 2005 with planners from USN, USNR, NLUSCKC and KY Derby Festival and its Thunder Over Louisville leadership. The weeklong campaign was lead by Vice Admiral John G. COTTON, Chief of Navy Reserve, Commander Navy Reserve Force who will spend two days in the city. An action group of twenty four sailors from the USS KENTUCKY (SSBN-737) Gold Crew, lead by Commander Jeffrey CORAN CO, were detailed to numerous community schools and events. The USN Blue Angels commanded the skies over the city and highlighted Thunder Over Louisville. The USS LST 325 Ship Memorial was alongside the Belvedere for public inspection. Music by the Navy Band MidSouth entertained at schools, baseball games, 4th Street Live and other venues. The public was invited to the F/A-18 flight simulator for a virtual jet pilot experience. Control of the Ohio River was under the command of CAPT John BINGAMAN, CO Sector Ohio Valley, and Coast Guard Cutter OBION was brought alongside the Belvedere for the weekend. Sailors from Navy Operations Support Center (NOSC) LOU and LEX formed color guards. Marines from USMCR MP Co A LEX provided security.

The leadership of your Council has been instrumental in development of the largest display of U.S. Sea Services ever in the Commonwealth of KY. Membership support of this activity by participation, donations and recognition of those in uniform helped to make it successful and possibly bring it back in the future. For more information go to www.nlusckc.org.