SHIP TOURS, ENTERTAINMENT SET FOR 20TH SEABEE DAYS.Byline: ERIC LEACH Staff Writer PORT HUENEME Port Hueneme (wī'nē`mē), city (1990 pop. 20,319), Ventura co., S Calif., on the Pacific coast; founded 1870, inc. 1948. It has an artificial deep-sea harbor and is the site of a huge naval construction-battalion (Seabee) center. -- With the cancellation this year of the Point Mugu Air Show, Naval Base A naval base primarily for support of the forces afloat, contiguous to a port or anchorage, consisting of activities or facilities for which the Navy has operating responsibilities, together with interior lines of communications and the minimum surrounding area necessary for local Ventura County is focusing on its annual Seabee Days celebration to welcome visitors and help with recruiting. The free event is set for next weekend at the Naval Construction Battalion Center, featuring a military parade, two Navy ships open for tours, music from five bands, a classic car show and a motorcycle show. ``Seabee Days is a great opportunity to get to know the men and women who proudly serve with the Pacific Fleet Seabees ... and enjoy a great weekend of fun and entertainment,'' said Capt. Steve Wirsching, commander of the 31st Seabee Readiness Group at the base. ``Seabees of today play a significant role in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa Horn of Africa, peninsula, NE Africa, opposite the S Arabia Peninsula. Also known as the Somali Peninsula, it encompasses Somalia and E Ethiopia and is the easternmost extension of the continent, separating the Gulf of Aden from the Indian Ocean. and other locations throughout the world in support of the global War on Terrorism Terrorist acts and the threat of Terrorism have occupied the various law enforcement agencies in the U.S. government for many years. The Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, as amended by the usa patriot act .'' This year marks the 20th annual Seabee Days, which starts Saturday morning with an 11 a.m. full-dress military parade involving more than 700 Seabees accompanied by the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band. A flyover of Navy E-2C E-2C Hawkeye; Navy Airborne Warning and Control System Aircraft Hawkeye early warning aircraft will follow. Heightened security will be in effect, and all vehicles and people entering the base are subject to search. Coolers and backpacks are prohibited. The celebration includes public tours of a Whidbey Island class dock landing ship The Whidbey Island class dock landing ship is a dock landing ship of the United States Navy. Introduced to fleet service in 1985, this class of ship features a massive well deck for the transport of four landing craft air cushion hovercraft for landing Marines. and an Austin class amphibious transport dock The Austin class of amphibious transport dock followed the Raleigh class and was followed by the San Antonio classes. Note that some sources consider Cleveland and Trenton ships to be a part of the Austin ship from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tour guests will be transported by bus from the event site to the ships. Although the tours are free, space is limited and signups are on a first-come basis, with the ticket booth opening at 9 a.m. Seabee Days and the Point Mugu Air Show are important public relations public relations, activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most and recruiting attractions for the Naval Base, but this year's air show was canceled for the second time in four years because organizers were unable to get a headlining jet aerobatics aerobatics Sport of performing maneuvers such as rolls, loops, stalls, spins, and dives with an airplane. As an organized sport, rather than as an air show attraction (“stunt flying”), aerobatics began international competition in 1960 under the auspices of the team to perform. Vance Vasquez, a base spokesman, said Seabee days gives Ventura County residents a unique chance to visit the base. ``It highlights the accomplishments of the Seabees and gives the public an opportunity to come to Port Hueneme and see what the Seabees are all about and appreciate their contribution to the nation,'' he said. Organizers expect 20,000 to 30,000 visitors to the base over the two days. eric.leach(at)dailynews.com (805) 583-7602 IF YOU GO The Seabee Days event is free and opens at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at Naval Base Ventura County-Port Hueneme. From the Ventura Freeway, exit at Victoria Avenue and head south about six miles to the Victoria Gate past Channel Islands Boulevard. Activities conclude at 5 p.m. daily, except the carnival, which runs from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday. For information, see www.nbvc.navy.mil/seabeedays. CAPTION(S): box, map Box: IF YOU GO (see text) Map: (ran in Simi edition only) U.S. Naval Construction Battalion Center |
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