New York Fleet Week Presents a Scuba Tank Experience in the Heart of Times Square
Fleet Week is back in the Big Apple.
Members of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps made their annual entry into New York City for a week of pre-Memorial Day fanfare and fun.
A Fleet Week tradition – the US Navy scuba tank – returned once again to the heart of New York’s Times Square.
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Navy divers demonstrated their service by putting on scuba gear and swimming in a transparent tank, greeting visitors and playing with children who watched them.
Fox News Digital spoke with Navy Diver First Class Christopher Brewer on top of the tank, who noted that a diver’s duty is to be an expert in “anything underwater.”
He said: “We dive all over the world. We are experts in salvage. We are experts in anything underwater. If they need us to do it, we will do it.”
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Brewer, originally from North Pole, Alaska, said he “always wanted to serve” and do his part.
“I always loved water,” he said. “I was a lifeguard growing up.”
The Navy diver, who has now been in the Navy for 10 years, showed what his crew could do during his first trip to New York; He described the meeting with the community as “incredible.”
U.S. Navy diver Christopher Brewer tries on a diving helmet in New York City on May 24, 2024, at the start of Fleet Week. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)
Brewer talked about “everyone walking around and interacting with us; people coming and trying on the helmets.”
He said, “We have the divers right here in the middle of Times Square. That’s probably one of the coolest places you can dive… It doesn’t get any better than that.”
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People from “all over the world” seem “pretty interested” in what it means to be a Navy diver, Brewer said.
“I just like talking to people, hearing their stories and telling them what I do,” he said.
“I am very excited about this job and passionate about what I do and [about] serving my community and serving the people who are here. “They are all worth it.”
With global tensions at an all-time high, Brewer said he hoped some personal military interaction would bring a “sense of belonging” to civilians.
“We are normal people,” he said. “We are going through the same worrying times as they are.”
Master Diver and Senior Chief Ryan Ilagan, a salvage diver for 21 years, also shared his excitement about his second Fleet Week.
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“We have Navy divers [and] EOD [explosive ordnance disposal] technicians interacting with the crowd, showing our capabilities and letting the people of New York know who we are,” Ilagan, who lives in California, told Fox News Digital.
The tank demonstration conveys “appreciation” to both military personnel and civilians, Ilagan said.
The annual Parade of Ships welcomed such important ships as the USS Bataan (LHD-5) from Norfolk, Virginia.
“It’s a great way to show a little fun with a little work,” he said. “It benefits both the civilian population and us as well.”
Many potential recruits have seen the display and have shown interest in joining the U.S. forces, the master diver reported.
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Brewer also credited his parents, wife and daughter for the support they gave him while he was on active duty.
Fleet Week began on May 22 with the annual Ship Parade, welcoming major ships such as the USS Bataan (LHD-5) from Norfolk, Virginia, and the FGS Baden-Württemberg and FGS Frankfurt am Main from Germany.
A Memorial Day message is displayed in Times Square on May 24, 2024. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)
The week continued with a World Trade Center Freedom Run, a recommitment ceremony and other events.
In addition to a number of exciting experiences, Brewer and Ilagan agreed that one of their favorite parts has been enjoying the delicacies of New York City, including bagels and pizza.
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“We went to Joe’s house [Pizza] last night,” Brewer mentioned. “It’s amazing pizza. Dave Portnoy, if you’re listening, I give them a 7.8.”
Ilagan added: “The people of New York are wonderful. The food, culture and diversity are incredible.”
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