Navy, Marines Welcomed to First Fleet Week in Texas

Houston hosts inaugural event showcasing sea services to 2.3 million residents

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:49am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A serene, cinematic painting depicting a lone Navy ship sailing into the Port of Houston, with the city's skyline visible in the background, all bathed in warm, golden light and deep shadows, capturing the sense of civic pride and nostalgia surrounding the event.The arrival of Navy ships in Houston for the city's first-ever Fleet Week event evokes a sense of civic pride and nostalgia for the sea services' historic role.Houston Today

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are participating in the first-ever Fleet Week event in Houston, Texas, bringing over 1,000 sailors, Marines, and Coast Guard members to the city. The week-long celebration will feature ship tours, flyovers, performances, and community engagement activities across the city, giving residents a chance to learn more about the sea services.

Why it matters

Fleet Week events are typically held in coastal cities like New York and San Francisco, but this is the first time Texas has hosted such an event. The Navy is eager to raise awareness of the sea services in a state traditionally dominated by the Army and Air Force, hoping to inspire young Texans to consider military careers.

The details

The Fleet Week festivities kicked off on Wednesday with a parade of ships, including the USS Kearsarge amphibious assault ship and the USS St. Louis, accompanied by a flyover. Throughout the week, the ships will be open for public tours, and various events are scheduled across Houston, from visits to a children's museum and hospital to an appearance at a Houston Astros baseball game.

  • The Fleet Week events were originally scheduled for November but were rescheduled to April due to a government shutdown.
  • The opening ceremony and parade of ships took place on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

The players

Daryl Caudle

Chief of Naval Operations, who is eager to showcase the Navy and Marine Corps to the city's 2.3 million residents.

Ashleigh Lozano

A Marine Corps Sergeant stationed at Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina, who is excited to participate in the historic event in her hometown of Houston.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's history in the making, and to be home to show off my uniform, serving my country, and being in my city with pride, it was something I definitely wanted to be a part of.”

— Ashleigh Lozano, Marine Corps Sergeant

“There are young adults out there, I think in middle school and certainly in high school who are thinking about service already. They've got that on their minds. I want to take the mystique out of that. I want them to meet the sailors, engage with them and understand they could do that, too.”

— Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations

What’s next

The Navy and Marine Corps plan to continue engaging with the Houston community throughout the week, with Sergeant Lozano and her fellow service members scheduled to visit a children's museum, children's hospital, an elementary school, and a Houston Astros baseball game.

The takeaway

This inaugural Fleet Week event in Houston represents the Navy and Marine Corps' efforts to raise awareness and inspire young Texans to consider careers in the sea services, expanding their reach beyond the traditionally Army- and Air Force-dominant state.