Billings Navy Week will bring between 50 and 75 Sailors from across the nation to volunteer throughout the community and discuss why the Navy matters to Billings. This will be the first Navy Week hosted by Billings, and the program last visited Montana in 2017.
Billings APEX (formerly known as Montana PTAC) was asked by the Naval Office of Small Business Programs to coordinate a workshop and networking event for MT companies in conjunction with the festivities. Mr. Dave Walz, Deputy of the Small Business Program for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport will be arriving in Billings from Keyport, WA to present information on “How to do Business with the Marines and Navy.” The presentation will be in the morning and there will be a “mini” GovMatch (matchmaking) component in the afternoon. A “Save the Date” is attached. The U.S. Navy purchases approximately $12 billion in products and services from small businesses each year. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) alone purchases approximately $3 billion annually. Registration information will be forthcoming.
Billings Navy Week will feature in-person demonstrations, performances, and engagements throughout the week that will include:
- Senior Navy Leaders – Flag officer and senior civilian Navy leaders.
- Blue Angels – Flight demonstration squadron.
- Namesake Sailors – Sailors serving on USS Montana (SSN 794), a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine and USS Billings (LCS 15), a Freedom-class littoral combat ship.
- U.S. Navy Parachute Team (Leap Frogs) – Tactical Parachute demonstration team.
- Navy Band Northwest – Performances and masterclasses with Navy Musicians.
- Naval History and Heritage Command – Educational presentations and lesson plans about the deep ties between Billings and the Navy.
- Navy Expeditionary Combat Command – Educational STEM presentations and fitness demonstrations by technicians, medics, and divers.
- U.S. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command – Educational presentation on the importance of atmospheric and oceanographic science and the overall value of STEM education to the Navy.
Navy Weeks are the service’s signature outreach program, designed to allow the citizens of Billings to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity. The Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) coordinates Navy Weeks.
“We are excited to bring Navy Week to Billings,” said NAVCO’s director, Cmdr. Anthony Falvo. “Seapower and America’s Navy are more important now than ever before. The U.S. Navy remains our nation’s most powerful instrument of military influence and Navy Weeks allow us to showcase how the Navy serves America at sea, in the air, and ashore.”
Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort to regions without a significant Navy presence, with over 250 Navy Weeks held in more than 80 different U.S. markets.
“We coordinate about 75 outreach events during a Navy Week through corporate, civic, government, education, media, veterans, and community service engagements,” said NAVCO Navy Week program manager Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Chambers. “We are looking forward to another great year of engagements and bringing the Navy to every corner of the United States.”
For more information on Billings Navy Week, contact Lt. Caroline Ready at (910) 915-6386 or caroline.e.ready.mil@us.navy.mil.