2008 New York City Fleet Week by Scott Snorteland

With a history dating back to before World War Two, Fleet Week has long been a important annual event in many American cities. From its official start in San Diego in 1935, Fleet Week has expanded to San Francisco, New York, Fort Lauderdale, and Seattle, the latter in a variation named Seafair. Fleet Week's purpose, to serve as a tribute to the US sea services, as well as to promote interaction between service personnel and the public, has remained the same through times of peace and war.

New York City has played host to Fleet Week since 1984. The week-long event brings new life to Manhattan each May, and serves as a reminder of the cost of freedom. That Fleet Week coincides with the Memorial Day holiday is deliberate – the event honors servicemen and -women, and veterans of all generations who have fought and served for our country. Understandably, Fleet Week has become extra meaningful for “the city that never sleeps” since September 11th, 2001.

From May 21st through 28th, 2008, streets, bars and restaurants in Manhattan were flooded with a sea of white uniforms. Thousands of Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard personnel were on hand throughout the city giving talks, coordinating community activities, and providing hands-on demonstrations of what they do everyday. There were ships to tour, concerts to hear, and an inspiring yet somber two-mile World Trade Center run in memory of those lost on September 11th.

Each year, the men and women of the United States Marine Corps make a special effort in bringing Fleet Week out to the community. Marine air-ground demos in various parks throughout the five boroughs, Long Island County and Westchester County, provide a unique educational opportunity for those unable to make the trip into Manhattan. Something like a mobile airshow, the demos have become an expected part of Fleet Week for New Yorkers, one that many look forward to each year. This year’s Marine Air Ground Task Force, or MAGTF, demonstrations used two CH-46 Sea Knights from HMM-774 “Wild Goose,” based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Norfolk, VA, along with an AH-1W SuperCobra and UH-1N Huey from HMLA-773 “Red Dogs” from NAS Atlanta, GA. A Vietnam-era UH-34 from Long Island’s own Freedom’s Flying Memorial also took part.

During the 2008 event I was fortunate enough to ride along with the Wild Geese for two days in one of their CH-46s and experience the MAGTF demos from another perspective. As a New Yorker, having been to and seen many demos in years prior, I was honored to be given this access. It was something truly significant for me to be a part of.

Staging out of New Jersey’s Teterboro Airport, just across the Hudson from Manhattan, we first flew to pick up our Marine “grunts” at One Wall Street. Like most New Yorkers, I had never experienced the heliport approach before – I had only taken the “1 Train” downtown. Looking at the famous sights from a new vantage point, I felt like a kid again waking on Christmas morning. I realized I was not alone in my feelings as the Marines embarked. I could both see and feel their energy as they ran onto the Sea Knights. It was then that I understood the significance of what we were about to do.

After our takeoff and some flying over New York City, it was off to raid the parks. First on the scene, to start of the demo, were the SuperCobra and Huey gunships. Once the “skids” had cleared the enemy and gained control of the drop zone, the CH-46s were cleared in to unload the grunts. We made an aggressive decent into the zone, landing, dumping the troops and getting airborne again in less than two minutes. With the Marines now established on the ground, the Sea Knights departed the area and flew a holding pattern several miles away. During that time, the gunships were called in by ground forces to provide close air support. Once the landing zone had been secured, the CH-46s were cleared back in to recover the troops. We performed another quick decent, demonstrating the rapid deployment and recovery capabilities the Marine Corps employs in “hot” drop zones. The departure with all troops safe and on board concluded the flying part of the demo. All five helos returned minutes later to land and shut down for static display. The aircraft were available for the public to walk through, sit in, and touch while the Marines greeted and spoke to the public.

With the Marines performing a total of six MAGTF demos throughout the week, New Yorkers had multiple opportunities for a close look. Thousands showed up to the various parks to experience something most Americans rarely get to see, especially in their own community. “I can’t believe they landed in the park!” stated seventeen year old Chris from the Bronx. “It was crazy to see them flying over us, but I couldn’t believe it when they landed to drop off the soldiers with guns. I play baseball on the field they landed on.”

“It was quite the experience seeing real military helicopters in the park,” said a female New York City Police officer. “It’s something I’ve never seen in Cunningham Park before. It’s really amazing how they can bring this here to us, in this environment.”

Fleet Week’s continual presence in New York, year after year, speaks for its popularity and success. With 2009 marking New York City’s 25th year, one can hope for another twenty five, as Fleet Week remains an American tradition.

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