Kid checks out a military robot at the STEM fair on the Broadway Pier during San Diego’s 2016 Fleet Week.
2016 Fleet Week is a big deal in San Diego. Our city is the home port of much of the United States Navy’s Pacific Fleet. Today, Saturday, I walked down to the Embarcadero to see a little of what is going on during the event this year. I visited the Broadway Pier and the military STEM fair, then headed over to the USS Midway Museum. The flight deck of the USS Midway was by far the best vantage point to watch today’s Sea and Air Parade, which I learned has returned to San Diego after an eight years’ absence.
As usual, many events are being held during Fleet Week in San Diego. On the Broadway Pier and the B Street Pier, exhibits demonstrate various technologies utilized by the military.Visitors at 2016 Fleet Week on the Broadway Pier peer inside an LAV-25A2 Light Armored Vehicle.A water filtration system that uses reverse osmosis in the field, often far from reliable water sources, on display for curious STEM fair visitors.This enormous gun on San Diego’s Embarcadero during 2016 Fleet Week is an M777A2 155MM Howitzer.And this is an M327 120MM Rifled Towed Mortar.Inside the Port Pavilion, an extensive exhibit demonstrates medical facilities that would be set up near an area of combat. This is a surgical tent.This is a dental chair! Even the toughest warriors occasionally need to have cavities filled.Out on the boardwalk near the USS Midway, cool cars are on display for 2016 Fleet Week in San Diego.One of many cars that visitors to the Embarcadero can check out. They are on display to promote the speed festival at North Island next weekend. Races are held every year during Fleet Week on the Navy air base’s huge runway!This car, I was told, would actually race in the Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival. The public can watch auto races next weekend at Naval Air Station North Island, situated across San Diego Bay.People buy tickets to board the USS Midway Museum. The aircraft carrier turned 71 years old today. It has become one of San Diego’s top attractions.Inside the hangar deck of the USS Midway during 2016 Fleet Week. The aircraft carrier has been voted best museum ship in the United States.The USS Midway aircraft carrier celebrated its 71st anniversary today. She was commissioned just as World War II came to an end.A cake to celebrate 71 years of history on the USS Midway!Up on the Midway’s flight deck, people head toward viewpoints overlooking San Diego Bay. Fleet Week’s Sea and Air Parade is about to begin!At the rail of the USS Midway. There are beautiful views in every direction. Any day is a great day to visit.Navy officers and VIPs listen to some short speeches just before the Sea and Air Parade begins.USS Midway Museum volunteer salutes the American flag while the Star Spangled Banner is sung.Here comes USS America, the flagship of 2016 Fleet Week in San Diego. She is only the fourth American warship to ever be given the very special name.Sailors in white line the deck of USS America as she passes through San Diego Bay during Fleet Week’s Sea and Air Parade.Next comes the USS Champion, an Avenger class ship that can seek out and destroy mines.According to my Fleet Week program book, I believe this is an ACTUV, or Anti-Submarine Continuous Trail Unmanned Vehicle. Correct me if I’m wrong!People watch the Sea and Air Parade from launch ramps at the bow of the USS Midway.Folks gathered on Navy Pier wave to tourists and others crossing the bay on the Coronado Ferry.The Coast Guard’s USCGC Sherman endurance cutter is given an assist by a tug boat as it comes into dock during the Sea and Air Parade.Lots of people watch the action on San Diego Bay from the end of the Broadway Pier. USS Kidd is in the background, hosting public tours from the B Street Pier.A pair of jets pass overhead during the 2016 San Diego Fleet Week Sea and Air Parade.People on the flight deck of USS Midway take in sunshine and military pageantry during 2016 Fleet Week in San Diego.
…
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Kids check out the large USS Midway model inside the Power Alley at Petco Park during a Padres game.
I remember first seeing this impressive model of the USS Midway aircraft carrier many, many years ago. It was located inside the enormous passenger waiting room of the Santa Fe Depot, which is downtown San Diego’s historic train station. I’m not sure exactly when the model was moved into Petco Park’s Power Alley. It has been many years.
I like to check out this cool sight whenever I’m at a Padres baseball game or some other event at Petco Park. (It reminds me of when I was a kid, assembling a variety of small airplane models, gluing together the plastic pieces, carefully applying daubs of paint.) Young people today who wander through the stadium’s Power Alley can test their arm at a fast pitch game, enjoy a hot dog, then perhaps peer through the glass at the many aircraft arranged on the Midway’s flight deck.
In case you don’t have a chance to see this fantastic USS Midway model for yourself, here are a few photos.
Along the wall behind the large model you’ll find a moving tribute to our country’s military heroes, including the many professional baseball players who have served. I’ll blog about that one day, too!
The USS Midway was commissioned one week after World War II. It became the largest ship in the world for a decade and the first U.S. Navy ship too wide for the Panama Canal.Many different model aircraft are parked on the flight deck of the small scale aircraft carrier.The USS Midway was active longer than any other carrier in the 20th century. It served during the Cold War, international crises and humanitarian missions…in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets.A closer photo of the USS Midway model which is displayed inside Petco Park’s Power Alley. I even see some tiny sailors!After decommissioning in 1992, the USS Midway returned to San Diego in 2004 to open as a nonprofit museum. It is now the most visited floating ship museum in the nation.Padres fans eat at tables near an impressive model of the USS Midway, a cool sight inside San Diego’s Petco Park.
…
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of unique photos for you to enjoy!
Santa Claus is ready to leap from a helicopter onto the deck of the USS Midway aircraft carrier museum on San Diego Bay!
Santa has been known to make some pretty grand entrances. But this one takes the cake!
Jolly old Saint Nick paid a visit to San Diego today, and arrived by air as usual. He dropped in by parachute, landing atop an aircraft carrier!
A Toys for Tots toy drive is being held on Navy Pier next to the USS Midway Museum. Bring two new toys and you’ll receive free admission to the very popular museum. The Marines have a huge truck they need to fill up! Santa will be performing a whole bunch of parachute jumps throughout the day. Bring the kids!
Look! Here comes Santa Claus! I guess Rudolph and the other reindeer are getting lazy. Or maybe they’re just resting up for Christmas.
Old Saint Nick nimbly descends from the blue sky in order to greet the nice boys and girls of San Diego. Beats using a sooty chimney.Santa doesn’t need a tailhook when landing atop a huge aircraft carrier. Just a sturdy parachute!The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and the USS Midway Museum are collecting toys today at Navy Pier. And Santa will be parachuting several more times! Just for fun!A guy checks out an ejection seat during the Toys for Tots toy drive on Navy Pier. I wonder if Santa has one of those on his sleigh?Marines collect toys to help spread holiday cheer, with downtown San Diego’s skyline in the background.Here’s smiling Santa, with Mrs. Claus! Spectacular entrance! They wished me a Merry Christmas! And the same to you!
USS Midway visitor takes photograph with selfie stick next to aircraft-launching Shooter mannequin.
I hope you enjoy a few photos I took recently of planes and people (and helicopters) on the flight deck of San Diego’s USS Midway Museum. The historic aircraft carrier served longer than any other American carrier in the 20th century, spanning five decades from 1945 to 1992. Countless amazing stories have been lived by thousands serving aboard the USS Midway, and many of those stories continue today as docents and volunteers relate their personal shipboard experiences to visitors from around the world. San Diego’s unique aircraft carrier museum, now over ten years old, hosts over a million visitors a year.
Midway’s large flight deck, enlarged from 2.8 to 4 acres in 1966, today features a couple dozen restored aircraft that represent different eras of modern military history. The internet is jammed with pages showing and describing these aircraft in detail, so I thought I’d just provide a quick flavor of what it’s like to walk out on the flight deck on a typical San Diego day. If you’d like to take the cool self-guided tour of the ship, which I highly recommend, plan to spend at least an hour!
Lady walks past F-14 Tomcat fighter jet on USS Midway aircraft carrier’s flight deck.Tourists at USS Midway Museum walk out onto one of the two horns that project over San Diego Bay.Sign describes how to read Navy flag signals.Man lingers near F-8 Crusader, the US Navy’s first supersonic fighter.People sit on benches listening to a docent talk about launching airplanes from Midway’s two steam-powered catapults.Guy checks out A-7 Corsair positioned to be launched from powerful catapult, which accelerated aircraft to 170 mph in about 3 seconds!Young couple takes a look at E-2 Hawkeye, an Airborne Early Warning aircraft.Looking south from atop the flight deck. Seen are the Unconditional Surrender statue, Tuna Harbor, and the Coronado Bay Bridge.USS Midway visitors enjoy a sunny San Diego day near EKA-3 Skywarrior.Visitors find out what it’s like inside a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter.Peering through cockpit of HO3S utility helicopter at the nearby HUP Retriever.This HO3S Dragonfly, first helicopter aboard the USS Midway in 1948, is undergoing restoration.Docent veteran talks about how aircraft landed on the flight deck using a tailhook and multiple arresting cables.Exhibit on Midway’s LSO Platform shows how Navy pilots landed in difficult conditions, relying on optical guidance.Navy pilot mannequin in flight suit stands near FA-18 Hornet, painted as a TOPGUN enemy aircraft.A-6 Intruder bomber on display near USS Midway’s superstructure.Volunteers work to restore SH-2 Seasprite, beyond orange nose of H-34 Seabat.The huge flight deck of the USS Midway Museum hosts visitors from around the world, special military-related events, decades of history, and never-ending activity on San Diego Bay.
Corroded plaque shows tallship, ironclad, early warship, aircraft carrier and jets.
I have received more information about the origin of the Navy Bicentennial plaque situated on San Diego’s Embarcadero near the USS Midway Museum.
Last September, I published the blog Help solve a Navy mystery in San Diego. This fascinating plaque is passed by thousands walking along our waterfront every day. It’s located on the Greatest Generation Walk among other military memorials and monuments, but even today there is no public information about what the plaque is or where it came from.
After emailing the Port of San Diego, last October I published the blog Unknown Navy plaque: Mystery partially solved! I’d been sent information that included a detailed description of the plaque. I also learned that the plaque had been moved from the Broadway Pier. But the exact origin remained unknown.
Then, out of the blue, two amazing things have happened. Cool San Diego Sights has received comments shedding light on the actual people who created this very important, historical plaque.
My name is William Abell and I was an ML3 aboard the USS Ajax AR6 and I helped create this plaque in the ship’s foundry in 1975. I have a certificate from Admiral J L Holloway III commemorating the plaque’s creation and my part in its creation. The date on the certificate is Oct 13, 1975. The plaque was to be a gift to the City of San Diego. I am now a retired police commander living in Monroe WA.
The second comment I received yesterday morning. It directed my attention to this blog post:
I am Molder Chief Petty Officer Jesse G. Lopez USN Ret. The foundry crew from Navy Repair Ship USS Ajax AR-6, created the pattern which was made by Patternmaker Chief Carlos De Santiago USN RET and molded by myself when I was a MLFN. Petty Officer Abell was our Third Class in charge of the molders.
AMAZING UPDATE!
I’ve received detailed information about the plaque, including photographs of its creation and creators! Click here!
…
To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.
Visitor to USS Midway Museum on Memorial Day weekend absorbs Portraits of Resilience exhibit, created by students of High Tech High Charter School.
This morning I walked a little around the USS Midway. The historic aircraft carrier is now a popular museum docked on San Diego Bay. I was there because it’s Memorial Day weekend, and I have personal experiences that make me grateful for America and our brave servicepeople. But I won’t blog about that here.
I was surprised to see a thought-provoking exhibit being set up in the hangar deck of the Midway. I learned it was a project of students at High Tech High, which is a charter school in Point Loma. 50 students interviewed 50 veterans, to learn about war, and peace, and human resiliency.
I took some photos in less-than-optimal lighting, and my flash wasn’t entirely helpful, so I had to apply a good deal of contrast.
Portraits of Resilience. 50 students. 50 veterans. 50 powerful portraits.The whole point of the Armed Forces is to protect freedoms so that people can agree or disagree with what’s going on.Greatness isn’t achieved randomly. You need to set goals.It’s people. It was always people. I didn’t want to let anyone down.A veteran reads words of pain, joy, memory and wisdom spoken by others who’ve served in the military.Everything is written in pencil. As soon as you have a plan, thirty minutes later it changes.Don’t waste your time worrying, worrying, worrying! You’re only going to get wrinkles!My best decision was marrying my wife. My number two was being a pilot and getting my wings.No matter how your grades are or what people think about you, do what you want to do and you can accomplish it.We didn’t have names of battles. We had excursions, and we had firefights, but we didn’t have names of them.When you return, things are physically and emotionally different. It’s like moving from one world to another.They had tears of joy, they couldn’t believe that someone had documented what they had done; they were proud, they were happy.You’re watching his back, he’s watching your back.Now when somebody says, “Thank you for your service”, I look them directly in the eye and say, “It was my privilege”.
…
To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
Grossmont High School NJROTC Ceremonial Color Guard waits for an important event to begin.
This morning I attended a moving ceremony. Americans who fought in World War II, members of The Greatest Generation, were honored in a special Veterans Wreath Ceremony on the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum. It’s one of several events taking place on the USS Midway this Memorial Day weekend. San Diego’s popular aircraft carrier museum promises to be a very busy hub of activity.
I took a few photographs of the ceremony. It was short, but very meaningful.
People cross flight deck of USS Midway aircraft carrier museum to attend a special Memorial Day weekend event. (Chairs are for a Wynonna Judd concert later this evening.)Looking south over San Diego Bay from upper deck of USS Midway Museum. Unconditional Surrender statue can be seen below.Pomerado Community Band plays music before start of short ceremony that honors World War II veterans.God Bless America sung with a deep, resonant voice. Many in the crowd listen with emotion.Guests are ready for the special Memorial Day weekend Veterans Wreath Ceremony to begin.There are two wreaths. One commemorates those who fought in the World War II Pacific theater. The second wreath is dedicated to those who served in Europe.This honored vet performed his duty in the Pacific during the Second World War. With him are two other generations.Also honored was energetic Stu Hedley, who is a Pearl Harbor survivor.Vintage World War II P-35 fighter aircraft from Air Group One (San Diego Wing of the Commemorative Air Force) flies over during the ceremony.The wreaths are presented to the two representative veterans, who will toss them into the water.In a time-honored ritual and tribute, the first wreath takes flight as many watch and The Remembrance Bell is rung.Flowers and memories float on San Diego Bay on this beautiful Memorial Day weekend.A photo from the flight deck of the USS Midway. The historic aircraft carrier is used for many military ceremonies in San Diego.
…
To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.
Photo of American who fought in World War II, helping achieve a victory for liberty.
This morning a special Spirit of ’45 wreath laying ceremony was held on San Diego’s Embarcadero, right next to the USS Midway Museum. The area is known as the Greatest Generation Walk, and is dotted with monuments and memorials remembering those who fought in World War II. Today’s event took place at the heels of the large Unconditional Surrender statue, created by artist Seward Johnson. The sculpture was modeled after the iconic photograph of a sailor spontaneously kissing a nurse in New York City’s Times Square upon learning the war was over. How appropriate!
The Spirit of ’45 is an organization and series of events around the country that honors Americans who served in the Second World War. Most of these local tributes are held on or around the happy day the war finally ended, V-J Day, but today’s February ceremony was held in conjunction with a national conference. It kicks off the historic 70th anniversary year of commemorative events.
I got lots of pics!
Color guard is ready prior to Spirit of ’45 kick off event by USS Midway Museum.Only 5 percent of those who fought in World War II remain alive today. Those who participated in the war effort were honored and remembered with gratitude.The Star Spangled Banner is sung as audience listens on San Diego’s Embarcadero.Thanking a genuine hero. Gratitude was expressed during the special ceremony.Young man in Junior ROTC speaks about family members who defended freedom and others who serve today.Dignitaries, veterans and military people on stage for presentation of first wreath.After presenting the first wreath, photo of Philip Schlamberg, last American killed during World War II, is carried by a hero.Rosie the Riveters are thanked for their service. They presented the second wreath.Introducing a British war bride, who thanked Americans for saving Great Britain and freeing Europe from the Nazis.About to bring red, white and blue carnations over to the third, final wreath.Everybody attending is invited to insert a flower, to honor those who served their country in World War II.A special flag awaits nearby on the grass.People from the audience make their way to participate in a patriotic spectacle.Many hands get ready to unfurl the huge flag on the grassy area between the Unconditional Surrender statue and Bob Hope Tribute.The giant billowing flag is unfurled by citizens proud and happy to be free.People carefully hold up American flag in a tribute to fallen heroes.The Stars and Stripes is displayed on the Greatest Generation Walk.Photo of three wreaths and flags after the crowd has dispersed.Young band members relax in the San Diego sunshine.Singers perform nostalgic Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy after ceremony.Small model of Seward Johnson’s Unconditional Surrender sculpture is on display.The iconic kiss is planted right in front of my camera lens!Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive!
…
To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
Corroded plaque shows tallship, ironclad, early warship, aircraft carrier and jets.
I’ve wondered for a long time about this mysterious plaque on San Diego’s Embarcadero. It’s located on the Greatest Generation Walk, right next to the USS Midway Museum, and stands back-to-back with a Pearl Harbor Survivors Plaque which I blogged about here.
Thousands of people walk by this old, corroded plaque every day, but I can find absolutely nothing on the internet about its origin. An image framed by rope includes several vessels, including a tall ship (perhaps the USS Constitution), an ironclad (perhaps the USS Monitor), an old warship with a side-mounted gun, an aircraft carrier, and some jets flying overhead. Words indicate the plaque commemorates the United States Navy’s 200 years of Building on a Proud Tradition. The United States Navy began in 1775 and celebrated its bicentennial in 1975.
Obviously, whoever placed the plaque at this location must know something about its history. But even the Port of San Diego website, where the other monuments on the Greatest Generation Walk are listed and described, says nothing about it!
The slab that it’s embedded in appears very similar to the slab right next to it, containing the Pearl Harbor Survivors Plaque. But I’ve found nothing specific about that plaque, either!
Perhaps someone out there can identify this mystery plaque! What the heck is it? Where did it come from? Help solve this mystery!
Mysterious plaque by Midway Museum commemorates Navy’s 200 year anniversary.
UPDATE!
I received more information about this plaque from the Port of San Diego. Please visit this blog post!
UPDATE!
William Abell wrote the following in the comment section:
My name is William Abell and I was an ML3 aboard the USS Ajax AR6 and I helped create this plaque in the ship’s foundry in 1975. I have a certificate from Admiral J L Holloway III commemorating the plaque’s creation and my part in its creation. The date on the certificate is Oct 13, 1975. The plaque was to be a gift to the City of San Diego. I am now a retired police commander living in Monroe WA.
UPDATE!
A subsequent comment directed me to the following information:
I am Molder Chief Petty Officer Jesse G. Lopez USN Ret. The foundry crew from Navy Repair Ship USS Ajax AR-6, created the pattern which was made by Patternmaker Chief Carlos De Santiago USN RET and molded by myself when I was a MLFN. Petty Officer Abell was our Third Class in charge of the molders.
AMAZING UPDATE!
I’ve received detailed information about the plaque, including photographs of its creation and creators! Click here!
…
To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.
Today is national Flag Day. So during my afternoon walk around downtown San Diego I took photos exclusively of American flags. Here are some shots that you might find interesting…
American flags top many tall office buildings.Flag Day celebrated from a modest downtown rooftop.Reflection on windows of big American flag mural.Bald eagle and American flag mural on Beech Street wall.Patriotic flags on USS Midway Museum superstructure.Red, white and blue adorn cafe below USS Midway flight deck.Small boat cruises around San Diego Bay with flag.Gulls take flight by American flag on busy Embarcadero.Old Town Trolley Tours booth has a flag out.Flag flies proudly in the sea breeze above Star of India.
…
To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.
Cool San Diego Sights! 