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U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC)

Wichita Falls to Host Inaugural Navy Week, September 15-21

by John Hankemeier, Navy Office of Community Outreach
03 September 2025

180619-N-FK318-0037.JPG
180619-N-FK318-0037 CARSON CITY, Nev. (June 19, 2018) Musician 1st Class Ross Hartig, from Virginia Beach, Va., assigned to Navy Band Southwest, plays with students at the Carson Middle School Jazz Camp Clinic at Carson Middle School during Reno/Carson City Navy Week. The Navy Office of Community Outreach uses the Navy Week program to bring Navy Sailors, equipment and displays to approximately 15 American cities each year for a week-long schedule of outreach engagements. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Abigayle Lutz/Released)
180619-N-FK318-0037.JPG
180619-N-FK318-0037
180619-N-FK318-0037 CARSON CITY, Nev. (June 19, 2018) Musician 1st Class Ross Hartig, from Virginia Beach, Va., assigned to Navy Band Southwest, plays with students at the Carson Middle School Jazz Camp Clinic at Carson Middle School during Reno/Carson City Navy Week. The Navy Office of Community Outreach uses the Navy Week program to bring Navy Sailors, equipment and displays to approximately 15 American cities each year for a week-long schedule of outreach engagements. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Abigayle Lutz/Released)
Photo By: MC3 Abigayle Lutz
VIRIN: 180619-N-FK318-0037

MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Navy Week will set sail for Wichita Falls, Texas for the first time since the inception of the program in 2005, with a variety of outreach events scheduled Sept. 15-21.

This year’s Wichita Falls Navy Week holds special significance as it coincides with the U.S. Navy’s 250th birthday — a historic milestone celebrating a quarter-millennium of maritime excellence, national security, and global leadership.

Wichita Falls Navy Week is the 12th of 15 Navy Weeks in 2025, which bring a variety of assets, equipment, and personnel to a single city for a week-long series of engagements designed to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects. Each year, the program reaches more than 140 million people -- about half the U.S. population.

“We are thrilled to bring your Navy warfighters to Wichita Falls for the first time and as our 10th Navy Week city in the Lone Star State.” said NAVCO’s director, Cmdr. Julie Holland. “At Navy Weeks, Americans will connect with Sailors who have strong character, competence, and dedication to the mission, and who continue a 250-year tradition of decisive power from seabed to cyberspace.”

During Wichita Falls Navy Week, more than 60 Sailors, including those with direct ties to Wichita Falls, will engage in education and community outreach events throughout the city.

Wichita Falls Navy Week events include:

  • U.S. Navy Band Northwest and U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard performances throughout the week.
  • Sept. 16 (7 p.m.) – Ceremonial Guard Performance and Static Displays during the Wichita Falls Parks and Recreation evening concert at Bud Daniel Park
  • Sept. 17 (5:30 p.m.) – Texas-Oklahoma Fair Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
  • Sept. 18 (11 a.m.) – Museum of North Texas History – Navy 250 Presentation
  • Sept. 19 & 20 – The 94th Annual Clay County Pioneer Reunion  
  • Sept. 20 – Midwestern State University pre-game and halftime performances

For a list of other Wichita Falls Navy Week public events, visit https://outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Wichita-Falls-2025/

Sailors will also volunteer with organizations such as Boys & Girls Club; YMCA; Wichita Falls Area Food Bank, Wichita Falls Animal Services; Scouting America; Habitat for Humanity of Wichita Falls; Museum of North Texas History; Wichita County 4-H; Wichita Falls Founders Lions Club; City of Wichita Falls organizations to include the public library and parks and recreation; and Wichita Falls area learning and educational institutions.  

Wichita Falls Navy Week Senior Executive, Rear Admiral Alexis T. Walker, Commander, Carrier Strike Group TEN., will participate in community engagements and meet with local businesses, civic, education, and government leaders.

Other Navy Week Sailors include:

  • Crew members from namesake ships USS Kingsville (LCS 36), USS Oklahoma (SSN 802) and USS Fort Worth (LCS 3).
  • Naval Talent Acquisition Group Red River
  • Navy Reserve Talent Acquisition Group Red River
  • The Strike Group virtual reality simulator
  • U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard
  • Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering
  • U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine
  • Naval History and Heritage Command
  • Navy Band Southwest
  • U.S. Fleet Weather Center, Norfolk
  • Hometown Sailors from Wichita Falls and the surrounding region.

Media organizations wishing to cover Wichita Falls Navy Week events, to include interviewing hometown heroes and the senior Navy executive, should contact John Hankemeier at (541) 844-9789 or john.t.hankemeier.civ@us.navy.mil

Story featuring a Sailor from the Wichita Falls area:

Lt. Cmdr. Korey Bailes

https://navyoutreach.blogspot.com/2025/09/throckmorton-native-returns-to-texas.html

Follow Navy Outreach on social media:

About Navy Week:

Navy Weeks are a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity. Since 2005, the Navy Week program has brought the Navy’s mission, people, and capabilities to hundreds of communities’ nationwide, inspiring new generations and strengthening the bonds between the Navy and the American people.


 
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