Public Tours Open Friday at 1 p.m

San Diego CA— Home port to 57 U.S. Navy ships, San Diego has a long history with the military, and the sea services in particular. So, it is only fitting that the USS San Diego (LPD 22) will be on site at Broadway Pier this Veterans Day weekend representing the U.S. Navy during Fleet Week San Diego festivities Nov. 8-11.
The 684-foot amphibious ship, named for Americas Finest City, moored alongside Broadway Pier in San Diego’s Embarcadero this morning, settling in for the holiday weekend. Tours of the ship will begin Friday at 1 p.m., when visitors will have a chance to explore the modern landing transport dock, which is designed to transport and deliver Marine Corps units around the world in support of U.S. national defense.
Commanded by Capt. Amy N. Bauernschmidt, the San Diego is crewed by more than 350 Sailors and Marines, who manage day-to-day operations and have the capability to support up to 800 combat-ready Marines. The ship has the capability to carry two hovercraft transport vehicles, known as LCACs, and up to four Ch-46 Sea Knight helicopters or two MV-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft.
“The ship is a modern and sophisticated warfighting platform,” said 2019 Fleet Week San Diego Board President Gordon Rutherford. “We’re truly excited to partner with the Navy to offer guided tours aboard this great ship during our annual celebration to honor the sea services.”
The Marine Corps and Coast Guard will also be on site at Broadway Pier over the weekend highlighting the combined capability of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard team.
Crew members of the recently commissioned Coast Guard Cutter Robert Ward sailed the ship down from its homeport in San Pedro to join the San Diego next to the Port Pavilion, where weekend visitors will also have an opportunity to interact with new technology, in addition to touring the two ships.
Robert Ward performs a variety of missions including search and rescue, port security, and marine interdiction. The sentinel-class cutter is crewed by four officers and 20 crew members, who returned from an Eastern Pacific Patrol in August.
Monday, elements of the I Marine Expedition Force, under the operational banner of Task Force San Diego, preceded the San Diego and Robert Ward setting up ground combat vehicles and other static displays to give Fleet Week visitors a hands-on glimpse of what it is like to be a Marine. Displays from last year included light armored vehicles, high mobility multi-wheeled vehicles, artillery pieces, and small combat arms that engaged more than 20,000 visitors.
“While the technology our military uses is truly amazing, it is the men and women who step up to protect all of us that are the true marvels. We’re most excited that the public will get a chance to meet some of them and see that they are truly great Americans,” Rutherford said.
For more information about upcoming events, visit https://fleetweeksandiego.org/events/.