By Lt. Cmdr. John Stevens, U.S. Navy • Navy Office of Community Outreach
MILLINGTON, Tenn. — The U.S. Navy proudly announces Flagstaff Navy Week, scheduled for Nov. 9-16, 2026.
Led by the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO), Flagstaff Navy Week brings Sailors to engage directly with communities in Northern Arizona through a series of performances, educational activities, community events, and service projects.
“We have a great lineup of events planned for our first-ever Navy Week in Flagstaff,” said Cmdr. Rick Chernitzer, director of NAVCO. “In the spirit of Veterans Day, the centennial anniversary of historic Route 66, and our nation’s first ‘Dark Sky City,’ your Navy will honor past service members while engaging key community leaders, businesses, educators, students, and youth – possibly some future Sailors.”
Navy Weeks give Americans a firsthand look at the Navy’s mission, capabilities, and men and women who serve our nation around the world.
Flagstaff Navy Week participants and events are scheduled to include:
- Executive outreach engagements for key community leaders with Rear Adm. Mark Behning, from Phoenix, and “hometown Sailors” like Cmdr. Joshua McCauley, from Flagstaff
- A chance to meet Sailors and Civilian Mariners from “namesake” vessels, the future USS Arizona (SSGN 803) and the Military Sealift Command’s USNS Yuma (T-EPF 8)
- Public concerts from U.S. Fleet Forces Band’s Willoughby Winds woodwind ensemble and Four Star Edition rock band
- Precision drill performances from the Navy Ceremonial Guard Drill Team
- STEM presentations from Sailors and professional astronomers with U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) Washington, D.C., and USNO Flagstaff Station
- Static displays and equipment demonstrations from Commander, Naval Expeditionary Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1
- Historical displays and presentations from Naval History and Heritage Command historians and the Navy’s oldest commissioned warship, USS Constitution
- Education and youth outreach from Navy Talent Acquisition Group Phoenix, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the Navy’s Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Look for the Navy around Flagstaff and neighboring communities all week, including:
- Free concerts at the Snowbowl, Flagstaff-Coconino County Library, Museum of Northern Arizona, and aboard the Grand Canyon Railway
- Student and youth engagements with area schools and Scouting Arizona
- Public tributes and ceremonies honoring Arizona’s veterans
- Northern Arizona University’s Military Appreciation Game, Saturday, Nov. 14
For a complete public event schedule, remember to check https://outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Flagstaff-2026/ as early as Oct. 26, and check back for updates.
Navy Weeks bring the Navy to regions without a major naval presence, fostering connections and showcasing how the Navy’s mission ensures security, prosperity and freedom for our nation. The Navy Week program has visited more than 100 U.S. markets since 2005.
For more details on Flagstaff Navy Week, contact Lt. Cmdr. John Stevens at john.j.stevens4.mil@us.navy.mil or (901) 874-5590. Follow Navy Outreach on social media @NavyOutreach on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn and connect using #NavyWeek.
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November 13 U.S. Navy Willoughby Winds Quintet 4pm-5pm
The U.S. Navy’s Willoughby Winds Quintet will offer a FREE concert at the museum from 4pm-5pm in Branigar Hall. Enjoy free admission from 3pm to 5pm and listen to this wonderful performance by the Navy Band.
The Navy is in town and coming to MNA! Join us 10am-4pm to learn about naval history, meet the Navy’s mascot, Commander Bond (a Labrador Retreiver!), meet special operators, get hands-on STEM and robotics experience and watch a live drill performance!
Meet Arizona sailors from the new USS Arizona Submarine, Mariners from USNS Yuma and USNS Navajo and hometown sailors from Flagstaff and across Arizona. This event is free with museum admission.