As of late yesterday afternoon, the Navy will not be participating in San Francisco Fleet Week.  
 
San Francisco Fleet Week will continue as a much smaller event, without the Navy and Marine Corps.
 
Fleet Week will still have an air show Friday-Sunday with the Canadian Snowbirds as the featured act.

Brian Grubbs, Captain (Ret.), United States Navy, is arranging for a VIP tour of one of several ships during this year’s Fleet Week in San Francisco, CA, Saturday, Oct 11.  Last year we toured the USS Tripoli (LHA 7), a $3.4B America-class Landing Helicopter Assault ship used for amphibious assault which highlighted both the US Navy and the US Marine Corp. These VIP tours occur in the early morning (8-10am) before the ships are open for general public tours. Exact ships and their pier locations have not been determined. In prior years the tours were at Pier 27 and/or 30/32. More info is available here https://fleetweeksf.org/events/ship-tours/.

Additional VIP Tours may be available the week prior and on Sunday the 12th if a large enough group is put together.  Please contact Brian Grubbs for additional details regarding that option if interested. 

Tour duration will be approximately 45-60 Minutes.  Families and Non FEI Members are welcome free of charge but space could be limited so please register in advance and call out timely if you cannot attend. Location: Exact Location TBD, details may arrive as late as day of. Expect Pier(s): 27 or 30/32

What to Expect: Please arrive at least 15 mins early so that we can start the tour on time at 9:00 am.  There will be armed sailors in uniform at entry point of the ship.  There will be a list of names, your name should be on the list in order to grant access, please let us know if there are changes to attendance or guest registrations.  The tour is expected to last about 45 mins.  There will be tight quarters, stairs, and ladders to climb so physical exertion is expected.  Families are welcome and encouraged.  This is an opportunity to see behind the scenes and below deck while learning more about the United States Navy directly from a Veteran Navy Officer with more than three decades of service experience.

Dress Code: Comfortable and active clothing with close toed shoes.  Pants are advised as it will be cool and there may be lots of stairs and ladders to climb.

Itinerary:

8:45 am – Arrive and Park at Pier (#TBD)
9:00 am – Arrive at front gate and look for Terri McGinnis, The US Navel Academy Sacramento Chapter VP.  She will be leading us this year. https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrimaginnis/  – do not wait in public access line.
10:00 am – Tour Concludes

OPEN AGENDA: Enjoy other activities in and around San Francisco at your leisure. 

Like anything else, if you want to study up, check out these links below. She is a multi-purpose amphibious assault ship.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Tripoli_(LHA-7)

https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/Ships/By-Class/Amphibious-Assault-Ship-LHD-LHA/
https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/lha7/

 Also, don’t forget to check out this link https://fleetweeksf.org/visiting-ships-tours/ for general info on the ship tours. Pants and walking shoes recommended.

Beyond the VIP Ship Tour in the morning no other activities are planned or organized.  Some people may choose to have a late breakfast or brunch and stay to enjoy other activities in and around the bay for fleet week. Here is a link to more information and schedules: https://fleetweeksf.org/